[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Zippy

I just worked up some numbers on the 15% (gratuity/Tax/Surcharge/Tip etc....)

If a waiter/waitress served 25 customers/parties at an average bill of $100.00 per bill in one night..... which I think is VERY reasonable....

The 15% take on that is $375.00 for the night!!!!!
Working 5 days per week is $1875.00 per week and does not include any "base" pay if there is any. That's $97,500.00 a year!!!!!!!
THAT.... my friends is a decent paycheck, and I'm basing that on an average!!

This is why I asked what is customary elsewhere.

12.5 couples X $100 meal = $1250
15% tip = $187.50
$187.50 x 5 nights a week= $937.50 a week x 50 weeks= $46875 that is without deductions for taxes, unemployment etc.

Anyone who has "done it" knows that the pay is good in the "right" restaurant, but it IS backbreaking work. Take out taxes etc. and it is far from a easy job.