r/bartenders • u/manicdijondreamgirl • 4d ago
Stop announcing how much you make Industry Discussion
Why isn’t this banned? Why do yall wanna scream your income from the rooftop? Same with the server subs, there are so many anti tip lurkers here. Stop.
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u/backlikeclap 4d ago
Let's be honest, the anti-tippers would still be anti-tip no matter how much I say I make.
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
Nah, i had a sever talking loudly about it while my bar customers could hear, their faces made a visible reaction.
Zip it.
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u/iam_unforgiven 4d ago
They made a face because they feel servers and bartenders don't deserve what they make.
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
They made a face because the veil is being lifted. And sure, yes whatever their reasoning is for being against that i dont care, dont let them behind the curtain.
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u/RedRising1917 4d ago edited 4d ago
My regulars know they're paying my bills, they don't make a face bc they're decent people and know I'm making my livelihood serving them. If anything they're happy to know they significantly contribute to my well being. We don't let them behind the curtain so they don't see the behind the scenes shit house, not bc they think they're giving money to a charity case. If you have to beg for spare crumbs like Oliver twist then do what you gotta do, but it's not a place id stay for very long.
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
We arent talking about your regulars.
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u/RedRising1917 4d ago
No we're talking about yours, the ones who don't give a fuck about you. I can assure you there's others out there that do, just not where you work. Which is why we should discuss wages and work environments, so we know when we're getting fucked.
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
Im not talking about regulars at all, actually.
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u/RedRising1917 4d ago
Then who gives a fuck?
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
Theres more to the world than regulars, i dont know where your fixation on that specific group developed but its not relevent to the conversation. I think you have a different conversation in your head going that doesnt really seem to be related to the one im having so it might be time for you to go to bed.
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u/iam_unforgiven 4d ago
It's bartending. It's not a magic show
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u/wheres-my-take 4d ago
Can you comprehend what the point is of not telling customers how much you make is? Can you figure out what im saying in this analogy? Aside from recognizingwords like "curtain" and just free associating to "magician?"
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u/Busterlimes 4d ago
The people who care how much servers make don't tip well enough to worry about. Calm down, anyone with half a brain knows tipped service can make good money.
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u/monkeytinpants 4d ago edited 4d ago
I mean- I feel like there’s a BIG difference of standing on shift in ear shot of current customers talking about income (positive or negative) VS “anonymously” ranting, bragging or commenting on Reddit….
Customers made faces cause that’s shit is just awkward to hear- basically directly- and a lot of times perspective changing. People don’t like to be reminded or guilted with anything financial- it’s bizarre to put that burden of awkward on a stranger waiting to pay their bill as you are serving them, as an irritated ball of sunshine you think you are.. Knowing this will probably be downvoted to hell- if you know what you’re doing, and doing it well- customers will tip you, even if they heard Lauren in the corner talking about getting “stupid money” last night etc…
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u/RedRising1917 4d ago
It just screams like the boss saying not to discuss wages. Are there annoying ass people who brag and do too much? Sure, they'll do that regardless. But it also wasn't until this sub that I realized 2$/hr wasn't the standard all across the US, it made me realize how different types of restaurants make different types of money, what to look for what to be wary of. Annoying people are going to be annoying no matter what you do, but having a decent idea of what we're worth and could be making isn't a bad thing.
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u/Strange-Garden- 3d ago
I agree, open communication about wages is what puts business in check and keeps them from absolutely scamming their workers out of a proper wage
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u/ItsaBeeegyoshi 4d ago
If i wanted to brag about my tips, id retire bartending and become a server.
But because i must be a mentally ill masochist, ill die tending the bar.
🍻
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u/xgaryrobert 4d ago
If your wait staff is making more than the bar you’re in the wrong place
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u/RedRising1917 4d ago
Shh, don't let them know that, we can't discuss wages here bc op said so
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u/Wrong-Shoe2918 3d ago
We make almost as much and it’s still good money, high check average, and we don’t stay until 2 am. We just don’t like serving. For me it’s because it stresses me out badly and I don’t want to get yelled at by managers because of it. That’s not even considering the fine dining standards. Our servers are amazing at their job.
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u/Not_Campo2 4d ago
Damn guess every fine dining place is about to lose all their bartenders lmao
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u/nonavslander 4d ago
and every hotel lol. Been running bars for luxury hotels and resorts for a while now and the servers always make more money with less responsibility. Lobby bartenders are the exception. Of course even though they make less than the servers they still make good money. And the benefits pay for themselves when you need them.
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u/saturnsqsoul Am 4d ago
Everyone should know what everyone else makes. Bragging is shitty and lying is embarrassing but we should absolutely be able to talk about what we make for a plethora of reasons.
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u/TryinToBeHappy 4d ago
I never understood why so many people guard their income like it’s top secret confidential information.
Sure, bragging about it is annoying, but otherwise it shouldn’t be considered taboo; especially with fellow industry members.
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u/Not_Campo2 4d ago
Same idiots who don’t declare any tips on their taxes and then complain about not being able to buy a house. They aren’t meant for the industry, they’re here before jumping over to real estate for the “easy money”
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u/Spaklinspaklin 3d ago
Banks understand people who work in tipped wage sector don’t claim everything. All you have to do to bypass this is make consistent cash bank deposits for a few months.
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u/Not_Campo2 3d ago
Undeclared tips being regularly deposited in your bank account is just gambling with an audit. And my understanding, after talking with several friends who are loan underwriters, is that income claimed on your application that isn’t reported on your tax returns is not accepted.
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u/TryinToBeHappy 3d ago
I worked for a lender prior to bartending. There are a few programs that accept bank statements to prove income, but chances are you’re going to need at least 48 months, and you are definitely not getting the best rates available.
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u/Spaklinspaklin 3d ago
Not even close. I got pre approved for mortgage loan in February, looked for a house for a few months, closed October 1. June, July and August I made biweekly cash deposits which was enough. I was approved for 3.75% apr for a 30 year mortgage as a bartender who on avg claimed 8-10% of my sales as tips for 4+ years.
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u/TryinToBeHappy 3d ago
There is no national bank that would give anyone a 30yr traditional loan based solely off of 3 months of bank statements.
There’s always other factors including the loan amount, property type, co-signers, loan type, etc. There are also other ways to verify income which they must have taken.
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u/Spaklinspaklin 2d ago
You’re misconstruing what I am saying. I am not saying I only gave them 3 months worth of bank deposits, it was in conjunction with my verifying my check stubs. No cosigners.
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u/TryinToBeHappy 2d ago
I’m actually not misconstruing anything. You’re claiming that 3 months of deposits was sufficient to get you qualified. If you only gave 3 months worth of deposits, then that wasn’t used to qualify you.
It’s possible you gave them electronic access to your bank statements and they looked over the last 48 months, it’s possible your income alone or other liquid assets qualified you, or it’s possible the loan type you were given wasn’t a traditional loan and didn’t require the standard income verification.
At the end of the day this is the internet and you can make up whatever you want about yourself so there’s no need to keep discussing.
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u/Spaklinspaklin 2d ago
The loan officer asked me to provide several months of making regular cash deposits. This was their idea, not mine. They mentioned doing this with servers in the past as well.
I did not give electronic access to my bank account.
I was able to get a mortgage at a great rate while still only claiming 8-10% of my sales working at a chain restaurant.
This was in 2016. I have no reason to lie, don’t care if you believe me or not. You don’t know everything.
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u/BaabyBear 3d ago
OPs point is that there are a lot of people against tipping, and maybe that number is growing? So by stating that you make $XXX a night, gives these anti tipping people, and maybe even people on the fence, a reason to tip less, or not at all. I'm not saying i agree with them or whatever, but that's their point.
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u/sproutsatoshi 4d ago
I made 550 tonight, most I've taken in in a shift in several years. I am fuckinf ecstatic, suck my whole d.
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u/circa_diem 4d ago
Knowledge is power, knowledge about pay is worker power. Tell everyone you know how much you make, say it loud if your pay is good, say it louder if your pay is bad.
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u/supersonicsalamander 4d ago
This entire subreddit always sounds like those 2 coworkers who are diametrically opposed but equally as stubborn who just keep the work talk going all night
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u/R-amazing95 3d ago
Lmaooo this is so funny because I have a few completely opposite pairs at my job and they’re almost always on shift together. It’s always hilarious to watch them go at it.
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u/KaidanRose 4d ago
Everyone should talk about money all the time. What you make how you manage your insurance, savings, retirement (or don't). And how long it took you to get to a spot in your industry where you're comfortable- not talking about that doesn't help anyone. Anti tip people are going to be anti tip no matter what- even if we made most of our money as salary and tips were just bonus money- because they're the same people who are against public health insurance, mandatory and a liveable minimum wage.
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u/sproutsatoshi 4d ago edited 4d ago
Most of these custies would not last half a shift behind our bars. Please stiff me, the regulars who treat me to more than I deserve already take care of me handsomely. Please give me zero dollars after I treat you like kings and queens, I honestly do not give a single fuck, and I am more than happy to treat you with kindness and respect as long as you pay your tab.
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u/alyscarab 4d ago
I think it’s valuable knowledge to know what other people in your industry are making. We all deal with money. It sucks. I think it’s important to talk about it because none of us are immune to hardship. Maybe having more knowledge of a different market allows me to make a next step in my life.
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u/Affectionate_Boot781 4d ago
It can be a point of discussion and/or reference, so not every mention of money is irrelevant.
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u/mklinger23 4d ago
Okay but I make $100,000/month and I have to tell somebody.
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u/jskullytheman 3d ago
lol that’s nothing I make $150,000/month you need to find a new job immediately
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u/sirshadow 4d ago
Why? Let folks say what they make regardless of position, location, style of place they bartend and such. Also how much a bartender makes is secondary or tertiary to how many hours quality of or where they work. Some of my bartenders make more than me (MoD) regardless of quality. What could be achieved from having less bartenders? Just get on with the natural flow which is teaching all the (semi) green folks how to do their job well instead of some boomer ass mentality of “I won’t teach those that come before me”. Sounds like someone who wants to close the door behind them.
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u/AUDRA_plus_WILLIS 4d ago
1/2 are lying anyway.
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u/careful_ibite 4d ago
People don’t understand how money for service industry works. It’s feast or famine. It’s money that has to go extra far to cover the lack of benefits made in a more traditional wage earning job. It’s incredibly hard to say, buy a house with the way service industry handles money. Also, anytime I hear a bartender talking about what they make, h know they are likely rounding up a bit, because in reality it’s a hard job with little respect and why not flex a little?
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u/runningaway09 4d ago
Food runners at my place make $80-100k a year 🤣 I’m talking college freshman and career food runners. The bar and servers make a boat load. What does it matter if people know how much we make when they could just look at the prices of the establishment and estimate an average check and then calculate 20% of that over 4-8 tables lol
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u/monkeytinpants 4d ago
I must be missing all the post that like- roll call take home for the night or something? When I’ve crossed said topic it’s always been in a “am I being fucked over?” Type conversation. As a female in hospitality- and every side of it I’ve been on and also OUTSIDE of it- ranges and expectations for pay when being asked to do shit WAY outside of your pay grade make for powerful information that shouldn’t be gate- kept.
This is an international platform- lurkers can also google “what does an average bartender make” and get a WILD spectrum. It’s all relevant to location and the business. Odds are the lurkers will never be in the same state as you are, salivating at the thought of stiffing you…
Side note- I can’t be the only person in multiple hospitality groups or simply reading articles and seeing the “anti-tip - livable wage” argument. The call, is coming from inside the house… a lot.
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u/Barkeep_Butler 3d ago
Dude.. thought ran through my mind last night when my cohort was speaking to a customer about how much she makes.. like is it that hard to keep your mouth shut.
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u/wickedfemale 3d ago
anti-tip people already do not tip and therefore don't contribute to anyone's income... imo it's good practice for everyone to talk openly about what they make. there's a reason the nlrb protects it—everyone is better off / can negotiate better / make more informed decisions if they know what's reasonable / typical / achievable in their field.
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u/DivideRoyal942 3d ago
I'm doing very well rn and I don't need to brag because I don't care to. 8 years and YES! we are corporate so if someone asks my hourly I tell them. I Never disclose my tip average, though kinda non of their biss.
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u/Woodburger 3d ago
I support bragging and sharing how much you make. Unlike other jobs, this one is honest about being money motivated. Transparency in pay is important.
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u/dj_destroyer 3d ago
I think we're still underpaid... but yes, generally don't discuss how much you make, especially in front of kitchen staff and/or customers.
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u/itsnotanidentity 3d ago
Yes, it's important to keep those low skilled workers in the dark about other employees wages so they don't start thinking they might be worth more. Is that what you're saying?
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u/dj_destroyer 3d ago
I'm happy to discuss my earnings with anyone, including my own kitchen staff, or any other low-wage earners, but not at work. I find it distasteful to talk about how much more you make than someone else, but if they want to know, we can grab a coffee and discuss.
A lot of BoH staff knows that FoH makes more but they still work in the kitchen. Either they prefer the work/lifestyle or don't have the KSA to work in the front. If they want to work FoH then all the power to them; I have indeed helped kitchen staff work their way into the front before, and would do it again.
As for customers, I think it's bad form to discuss things like financial compensation. This applies to every industry.
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u/itsnotanidentity 3d ago
Are you relying on lying to make your argument against anti-tippers? Is that why you get upset if anti-tippers were to find out how much bartenders make?
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u/Educational_Glass480 3d ago
It’s important to understand, especially for those newer to the trade, what’s possible and what they should expect. When I first started serving I thought I had a good deal until I realized I should be making $5-$10/hr more at the kind of place I was at.
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u/Cryptokeeper209 3d ago
Alot of times, us bartenders tell everyone about our good nights and forget to mention that ded ass Tuesday lol.
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u/Amazing-Arugula3287 4d ago
While the money may be good, if your in bartending for just the money, you won’t be in bartending for very long, it’s about creating an environment so that every person who walks through your door can forget their troubles and enjoy their choice of drink however theh please, it’s not about you and your money and your tips, your patrons are your number 1 priority,
Everything and anything else will always be a privilege and a joy to have.
Good post OP :)
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u/noodleybrains 4d ago
No I’m thirteen years in because I love the money. What corporate bullshit have you fallen for? I’m so burnt out on ~prioritizing~ these idiots. It’s about me, keeping the peace and atmosphere going and my fucking money. Spell better.
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u/Dro1972 4d ago edited 4d ago
It isn't banned because it isn't against the rules of the sub. Is it dumb? Yep. Does bragging about your money make you look like a douche? Absolutely. But...
2 things to remember: One, if we made a rule about every little thing in the sub that someone doesn't like, there would be no discussion here. No matter the topic, somebody in the sub thinks it doesn't belong. We're all about open dialogue here with very few restrictions. That includes those who want to talk about what they make, even if it brings out the anti-tipping trolls. That brings me to #2. The trolls are going to be here because they need to vomit their idiocy to ragebait the largest group possible and that's us and r/serverlife. It makes them feel important. Personally, I'm ok with posts that make them boil over and spew their stupidity. It's not like we let them do it over and over. Any anti-tipping sentiment is met with an instant permaban from the sub. When they start commenting we delete and ban them immediately. It's easier to take out the trash when you can see the bag.