If you can’t afford to tip … you can’t afford to eat out …
I am so tired of seeing this garbage on Facebook!
If I could figure out how to filter it out, I would. But Facebook has a lot of issues that make it one of the WORST Social Media outlets as there is so much Fake and False information that it is almost impossible to tell the truth from lies. I have to believe that these photos of signs ‘allegedly’ on the doors of restaurants are lies, because if I was an owner, and an Employee or Manager posted that sign … well … this is Missouri, I can fire you simply because I want to. But this would harm my business, drive customers away.
So, as this article starts, let me say this. If you want to make more than minimum wage, the either learn a trade, or hone your skills as a server where you can land a position in a nice restaurant where tipping is often not an issue. And be good enough that customers are pleased and wish to tip, not feel obligated to tip. Most people who complain about tips work someplace like Applebee’s, Texas Roadhouse, or restaurants that are more ‘fast food’ than fine dining. These are positions that were once used by teenagers building a work ethic.
So, before this article continues, let me say this. I tip good service. Unless you are an absolute idiot, you will get around 20 percent. However … IF I see a sign on the door saying that I HAVE to tip, if you are going to add a service charge to my bill … I will walk away and NEVER come back.
So, let’s look at some facts here in Missouri:
As of 2026, the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Missouri is $7.50 per hour, which is 50% of the state’s overall minimum wage of $15.00 per hour.
Key Tipped Wage Rules in Missouri
- Tip Make-Up (Tip Guarantee): If an employee’s direct cash wage ($7.50) plus their hourly tips do not equal at least the full state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour for the workweek, the employer must pay the difference.
- Maximum Tip Credit: Employers can claim a maximum tip credit of 50% of the minimum wage ($7.50 per hour).
- Exemptions: Retail or service businesses with an annual gross income of less than $500,000 are generally exempt from the state minimum wage requirements.
- Tip Ownership: All tips received must be retained by the employee, though valid tip pooling is permitted among workers who customarily receive tips.
Why Supporters Agree With the Phrase
- Server reliance: Many front-of-house workers rely on tips to pay living expenses because base pay for tipped staff can be very low.
- Tip-out systems: Servers often must “tip out” support staff (like bussers or bartenders) based on total sales, meaning a zero-tip table can actually cost the server money out of pocket to wait on them.
- Service as a cost: Supporters view the tip not as an optional extra bonus, but as an essential labor cost built into the current American dining model.
Why Critics Push Back Against the Phrase
- Employer responsibility: Critics argue that paying a fair living wage is the legal and moral obligation of the employer, not a financial burden that should be shifted to the customer.
- Classism concerns: Some people feel the statement is elitist or classist, turning a casual restaurant meal into an exclusive privilege reserved only for those who can afford extra surcharges.
- Voluntary nature: Opponents emphasize that tips are legally defined as voluntary gratuities meant to reward exceptional service, rather than mandatory fees.
Why Tipping Feels Out of Control
- Tip-Creep: Payment screens now ask for tips at self-checkouts, fast-food counters, and convenience stores where no traditional service happened.
- High Presets: Digital point-of-sale systems often start suggested tip amounts at 20% or 25%.
- Social Pressure: Customers feel guilty pressing zero on a screen while a worker watches.
- Low Base Wages: Many businesses rely on customer tips to make up for low minimum wages instead of paying a full living wage.
What Etiquette Experts Recommend
- Skip Counter Service: Etiquette experts note you should feel comfortable pressing “no tip” or leaving zero for simple counter pickups or self-service.
- Save Tips for Real Service: Gratuity is meant to reward extra effort or full-service sit-down dining, not routine retail transactions.
