social topic

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:38:50 pm

red chamber dream

then why hasn't it happened with any other profession besides waiting tables?

Idkbutlike2

2012-02-25 09:39:25 pm

Cause it wouldn't make sense for any other profession.

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:39:29 pm

red chamber dream

answer: because it's ludicrous and no one would go for it ... so i'm wondering why it ever happens with wait staff in the first place

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:39:38 pm

red chamber dream

BUT WHY DOES IT MAKE SENSE FOR WAIT STAFF? IT FUCKING DOESN'T

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:39:41 pm

red chamber dream

jesus christ man

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:40:01 pm

red chamber dream

they're bringing you food, the guy in the auto shop is changing a tire for your car

there is no difference

DJGrenola

2012-02-25 09:40:17 pm

the difference or otherwise is irrelevant

Idkbutlike2

Edit history:

Idkbutlike2: 2012-02-25 09:40:55 pm

2012-02-25 09:40:46 pm

Because the tradition started by generous people who would be like "Oh hey, thanks for serving us kindly. Here's some extra dough for you!" The employers had nothing to do with it initially.

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:41:06 pm

red chamber dream

right, and that's how tipping exists everywhere else (hairdressing, etc)

DJGrenola

2012-02-25 09:41:07 pm

people started tipping one profession in particular because they felt like doing so, capitalism just adjusts for that by paying its workers less so the firm can stay competitive with other firms in the industry

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:41:43 pm

red chamber dream

grenola that sounds right but why did it only happen in restaurants? because people always tended to tip in them?

Idkbutlike2

2012-02-25 09:41:59 pm

Yep. People like to eat.

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:42:15 pm

red chamber dream

do you know that or are you just guessing?

DJGrenola

2012-02-25 09:42:29 pm

I don't know, I guess it's just because baudy old men like giving extra money to pretty young waitresses

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:42:31 pm

red chamber dream

i guess maybe most people don't care about this like i do

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:43:03 pm

red chamber dream

i mean i always tip very generously, it's not like i'm against it

the system just doesn't make any sense

DJGrenola

2012-02-25 09:43:14 pm

er bawdy*

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:43:26 pm

red chamber dream

lol i didn't even notice that ;(

Idkbutlike2

2012-02-25 09:44:29 pm

Lots of things in economics don't make sense. And the more minutae you examine, the less sense comes out of it.

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:45:34 pm

red chamber dream

ok that settles it, let's just stop examining it then, sounds good, it's only money after all

Idkbutlike2

2012-02-25 09:46:25 pm

Not sure if you're being sarcastic...

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:47:17 pm

red chamber dream

i am of course but it's probably a good idea in terms of you and me

this is a web forum after all, it's not like there's much point talking about it here

tomatobob

2012-02-25 09:48:21 pm

One shall stand, one shall ball.

I'm guess it started in the first place because waiting tables is more of a personal service than like changing a tire. The waiter takes your order brings your food and makes sure you're properly taken care of. You're interacting with them a lot, so some people might be more inclined to give a little extra to someone that does a good job and was generally pleasant. So they kick in a couple extra bucks. Then some restaurant owners went "Hey wait a minute!" And cut pay because fuck it it's almost like you're getting a salary anyway! And it became in institution.

arkarian

2012-02-25 09:49:00 pm

red chamber dream

yeah i know that's how it originated, or at least that's my guess too

still doesn't change the fact that it's fucked up

DJGrenola

2012-02-25 09:49:07 pm

it would be interesting to know the origins of it