Service Workers Say Tips are Down

By Briana daMota

Published: June 24, 2008

Every day, we hear about the impact the economy is having on every day life.
Imagine depending on the generosity of others for your financial survival. That’s the case for many hair-stylists, servers and cab drivers who all depend on tips for a large part of their income; but service workers around the country are saying tips are down.
April Bates depends on her tips to take care of her family. “I’m married, and have three small kids… It’s my source of income.” As a server for Wade’s Restaurant in Spartanburg, April is depending on the regulars. “They’ve got to have their yeast rolls; they’ve got to have their sweet tea… and they are always good to us.” She is seeing some customers cutting back - particularly those with children. “Oh definitely. I think everybody is feeling the sting.” April says tips are down… a dollar here… a dollar there… about -20- percent overall. As a mom, trying to make ends meet, April says understands why. “It’s not anything personal. I know there are not sitting there at the table saying… ‘I’m going to short her.’”
The Hospitality Association of South Carolina says there is another reason tips are down. Sales are down. Diners are finding ways to lower the amount of the check. - ordering an appetizer as an entrée’, or they aren’t eating out as much as they used to.
Wade’s owner Carol Miller says business can be somewhat unpredictable. “Business has been down a little bit. We’ve seen some slides in guests count, but in the last week, we were actually up in guest’s count, so it’s a little bit of a rollercoaster right now, “according to Miller.
April says she’s along for the ride, because she’s saved for a rainy day,
“It’s raining.”