A Tip of the Hat to Mr. Meyer for Opposing Tipping

Saru Jayaraman’s article “Why Tipping Is Wrong” posted in The New York Times follows a new movement started by the New York based restaurateur Danny Meyer to eliminate the inequities caused by a society that tips and to bring awareness of what it really means to tip.

Meyer’s change to the industry isn’t just out of an economic cause but also because of an ethical and historical reason. Jayaraman discusses how tipping originated from European aristocratic societies and that during the end of the 19^th century Americans travelling Europe returned with this practice and began incorporating it into American culture. This is where tipping begin to grow into a racial issue as Jayaraman cites a writer from the period saying “he could never feel comfortable tipping a white person, since the practice should be reserved for ‘Negroes.’” We shouldn’t continue a system that is clearly defined by inequity.

Jayaraman later reinforces the racial element in the industry with recent statistics: “The racialized element of the practice continues to this day: 53 percent of tipped workers in New York State are minorities, and 21 percent live at or below the poverty line.

The article also covers loop holes in the system, stating how Governor Andrew M. Cuomo supported a statewide $15 minimum wage but it would exclude all workers who are tipped. Meyer is infuriated by the “un-American” aspect of the food industry and I would have to agree with him; it presents too many opportunities for workers to be taken advantage of.

Personally I’ve had many different friends work a similar job at different restaurants and yet each would tell me their earnings and tips and I would immediately notice a stark difference. They were both good workers and personable and it was unfortunate to see. Tipping is great if it’s working in your favor, or to be rewarded a little extra for good service, but having wages rely on your tips and understanding what tipping originates from is unethical and far from fair. I would have to agree with Danny Meyer’s stance on changing the industries standard. That said, salaries for certain occupations must be kept to realistic margins.