Minimum wages and universal basic income

[Coke6pk]

Canadian minimum wages are also not quite as much of a joke as American ones.

I don't think we have places in KW that are as high end as where one would expect exceptional experiences (say Four Seasons or a Michelin 3* restaurant). As it turns out, we like KW food more than NZ food, but it's not because KW food is high-end, it's because it's tasty.

We always talk about % tips but we don't usually specify if it's 15% of the pre-tax amount or the post-tax amount. Which aren't quite the same.

I got annoyed when the machines started prompting me to put in a set percentage tip and I realized that the amount included the tax, which I object to tipping on.  So I now make a small downward adjustment to pay a tip (15% or slightly more) that is based only on the bill for the food I've consumed.  My friends all think I'm a cheap b**tard!

There was an issue (I think it was the Cheesecake Factory... but I'm sure others use the same restaurant POS software) where a split bill used the table amount for the percentage tip.

(ie: A table of 4 people, total bill $400.  Each person gets separate cheques for $100.  Instead of getting a 15% = $15, all four would get 15% = $60)  After public outrage, it was changed, but I always do a mental check on my bills before blindly accepting their recommendations.

I agree with the others that I shouldn't be forced to pay the salary of wait staff, but do so out of sense of requirement.  So meh service still gets 15%.... better service more.

I loved the concepts that some restaurants tried where tipping was not allowed, and staff paid a living wage.  Unfortunately, I believe these trials have either failed, or not become widespread. 

Coke