And you have failed to tell me why a good waiter at a low end restaurant should make less than a good waiter at a high end restaurant. If both people perform the same job with the same level of proficiency then why should the latter get far more money?
You think the job is easy and deserves no more than minimum pay.
I think the job is easy? Really? Wow. I never knew that. And minimum wage? If that's what employer feels someone is worth then sure, but where have I advocated a fixed maximum wage for any employee? Employees should be paid what the employer thinks they are worth. What is wrong with this line of thinking?
First, I didn’t say minimum wage, I said minimum pay. A big difference.
The computer programmer who works in-house at a small firm will make less money with the same talent as a computer programmer who works at Microsoft. So why is that fair? Because he is playing in a different arena. But if he is talented, he will be able to move up to bigger and better arenas and use his skills to make a bigger salary.
Likewise for a waiter. He starts at Applebee’s, moves up to Houlihan’s, then to Rodizio’s and then to a lower tier fine dining restaurant in town. At Applebee’s he earns $8 an hour in tips, $10 an hour at Houlihan’s, $14 at Rodizio’s and finally $20 an hour at the fine dining restaurant.
Why should the starting waiter at Applebee’s earn the same? Why should a programmer at Microsoft earn more than someone who programs code and scripts for a small printing firm?
You don’t mind employers paying more for their employees, but you don’t like that the employees make money based upon their performance of their job or how well they do it. Seems odd from a capitalist’s viewpoint.
If a waiter is just a waiter, then a programmer is just a programmer, an engineer is just an engineer, a teacher is just a teacher. Right? Of course not.
But you have made it clear that you think that waiting tables is simple work that isn’t any different at one establishment over another.
Most waiters/waitresses are paid sub minimum wage (something like 50% of current minimum). They work for tips.
Also, 'upscale' places (where you could spend $200 for lunch) usually add 15% to the bill for gratuity.
Generally, at you local 'family restaurant,' a server handles more tables and has more tables turn over during a shift than at 'upscale' places where a server has fewer tables, devotes more time per table, and has fewer turns per shift because serving and eating the meal/after dinner desert and drinks takes twice as long as the meat loaf special at Denny's.