Comments on: Starbucks Must Give Baristas $100M In Tips

Calif. Judge Rules Tip Money Should Not Have Been Shared With Supervisors

[naucoming4u]

Posted by b-easy63 at 05:28 PM : Mar 21, 2008
..........

Geeze easy... you still don''t understand... me... or what I am trying to say! That is what makes you think I am an elitist... of which I am not. My job is not, by any means, a high level job. But you seem to think that everyone in the low-level service jobs are "stuck" there. None of them are STUCK there, but that is the problem with your lack of understanding, and what I am trying to say.

And most of all, I never suggested that people go off and quit their job to go look for their "dream job". I, once again, said that it IS possible to search for other work, even if only 10 minutes a day, WHILE THEY ARE STILL WORKING AT THEIR CURRENT EMPLOYER!

It is foolish to quit a job, especially in this market, to begin searching for other work. Only a moron would quit his or her job and expect to pick up another job instantly. I know this because I see people do this all the time, and most of the time, these people fail. Those who have asked me, and whom I have consulted, eventually found other work while they were at their current employer... and then seamlessly transitioned into the other (more lucrative) job. This is in the retail sector.

(continued above)...

[b-easy63]

Provided that our government does NOT grant amnesty to these 20 million (or so) illegal aliens, then Americans in the lower end service jobs will not have as much to worry about... other than the recession we are currently in.

Posted by NAUcoming4U at 05:15 PM : Mar 21, 2008


See? Idealistic. Of the 3 Candidates running for President--we do not have even 1 that is not offering amnesty to the illegals already here--but even if they don''t, their hands off, wink, wink policy means that persons at the lower echelons of the hiring scale or in the leisure/tourism business (hotels/restaurants) still compete mostly with illegals and probably will continue to do so legal or not. Who do you think are working in most restaurants? It is precisely because Congress as well as others do not think or offer plans that do not consider every day Americans (who may face illegals as competition or H-1 visad foreigners as competition) that we may end up with a problem more severe than a simple recession or racial divide. The fact is, since you brought up political ideas--is that not one candidate has put forth a plan for stabilizing the dollar or inflation, tethering our deficit and putting America back in the black--add to that a recession and every candidate pushing their plans for spending even more money and you can easily figure out that the last person they are considering are the types of people at Starbucks or a restaurant.

[b-easy63]

I put my money where my mouth is--not issue platitudes or simply tell people--"if they don''t like a job then quit" often quitting at any time is NOT an option like you seem to think. I''ve been in the position of living hand to mouth or relying on tips so know how hard it can be and how, in a recession, no jobs can be found or if they are, they may not last--people have other considerations like the cost to get to work, not being able to quit due to health concerns and pre-existing conditions, not having the means or the money to wait it out or worse yet--they know what it is like when a job offer falls through but they have already burned their old bridges. This makes people wary and to hang on with what they know they have with both hands. From your posts, it appears you did not learn as much from your 10 month hiatus as you should have. You may need more time than 10 months to get your head together--because you are still clueless. Oh well--last hired, first fired, so maybe you can still find out how quitting and going somewhere better, is not as easy as you so glibly posted.

[b-easy63]

Posted by NAUcoming4U at 05:15 PM : Mar 21, 2008

This blog and article are about waitstaff and baristas. They ARE at the low end of the market and with many people having to stay tethered to a house that is worth less than they paid for, and often with obligations, bills and commitments that will NOT let them move as well as limited resources to further their education, many people are just doing all they can just to keep their heads above water. In such an environment, REGARDLESS of your personal circumstances, to suggest all people have to do is change jobs strikes one as elitist and idealistic.

Most people, do not wake up and go "Gee...I really want to serve coffee and wipe tables to make a living or gee , "asking if they want fries to go with the shake would be a great way to get ahead" Many people are not in this nor do they have the luxury of leaving work to pursue a dream job--people take what they can get and often, they take 2 if they can get it--and for people at this level. Illegals ARE a huge consideration. YOu still come across as elitist. I am putting 3 people through school presently, one is not even my own child but a young lady who is working at McDonalds and at a restaurant just to pay for her apartment and health insurance. I will be paying her tuition and for her uniforms and other aux. classes. next post

[naucoming4u]

Posted by b-easy63 at 04:37 PM : Mar 21, 2008
.........

I AM THE LAST PERSON YOU HAVE TO LECTURE ABOUT JOB SECURITY... and getting a clue about it. Perhaps you should learn how to read and comprehend what people say on their posts, rather than relying on your political ideology to guide your opinions and thoughts.

After 10+ months of searching, applying, interviewing, and pulling my hair out in the process... I finally found a quality job. This is not the first time in my career that I had to do this. I am in the position to lecture most people about looking for work, but I chose not to do this because everyone has their own way and preferences about what and where they work.

The purpose of my previous post, which you obviously missed, was to say that many who feel cheated by their employers STILL HAVE OPTIONS! Even in this job market. It is far more challenging today than it was 30, 20, and even 10 years ago, but there are still possibilities.

Illegal aliens only affect the low end of the job market, (with the exception of construction, which is nearly dead right now anyway). Provided that our government does NOT grant amnesty to these 20 million (or so) illegal aliens, then Americans in the lower end service jobs will not have as much to worry about... other than the recession we are currently in.

[b-easy63]

ou will never find treasure unless you go forth and seek it.

Posted by NAUcoming4U at 04:32 PM : Mar 21, 2008


Geee.... somebody must have NOT told you that there is a recession, that jobs with any stability are hard to find now, that there are at least 12 to 18 million more people (illegals) competing for these jobs and everyone is just waiting for people to come into the door and just declare themselves for hire to get whatthey want. Get a clue--people do the jobs they have to do--and right now- many do what will allow them to pay the bills and not disrupt their lives too much. To say, what you said--must mean you are an idealistic ivory tower neo con--with no real clue about life, not how it works, or the stumbling blocks and times we live in.
But keep it up--you can still learn about the real world--coming soon to a town and employment situation near YOU. LOL

[donevis-2009]

The counter help with their manners and ability to provided quick service deserve every bit of the tips that are given. I''ll bet the management doesn''t split their commission with the baristas and should they split the gratuity? With the profits they make on our coffee habits (at my office we call it "4 bucks") I''m sure there''s plenty money to go around. The greedy management should be forced to pay as the court has ordered.

[b-easy63]

My standard tip at most restaurants is 20% and I eat out at least once per day. If the service is really great, I may tip 30% or more. I never leave less than 10.00 for a meal even if I am by myself and my food bill is less. This is because I have been a waitress and know the other side of the business.

On the other hand, I am likely to not return to a place with poor waitstaff no matter how good the food is. Recently my hubby and I were at a restaurant where a woman had two 10 tops with handicapped people from a home. she was run ragged and most barely had money to cover her bills. When we paid for our food and after tipping our waiter, we walked over and put 20.00 in her pocket. She was not our waitress--but it does not matter--nothing is worse than having a demanding group of people who run a waitstaff all over the place but do not compensate him or her. I tip busboys at buffets and even the breadstick person at Fazolis. I don''t tip McDonalds staff or Starbucks--because I don''t go there--but if I did and it was the custom--I would. Tipping regularly and being known as a big tipper generally means that we get the best service and preferential treatment--but even if not--I love to give big tips--I like to think that my tip reminds waitstaff that it all is worth while and everyone is not a self serving, tightwad, ***.

[naucoming4u]

I have a tip for the Baristas at Starbucks...

...and its worth A LOT MORE than just $100 million...

and here it is: (it applies to every working person as well)


If you feel you are being screwed by your employer, and you know you are worth more than what your employer treats you as... THEN FIND ANOTHER JOB! But don''t quit first... that''s very important. Search for another job, find that prospective employer who will treat you better. Once you are offered that new job, then quit your current one. And once you have that new job lined up, you can quit your current job in a very creative way (whatever way you feel is deserving for you undeserving employer).

You see, most working Americans get stuck in a rut and become complacent. Usually, unless you are working on a contract (most don''t), you have the freedom to resign from whatever job you have. These days, the best way to get a raise and/or promotion is to find another job, either similar to yours or a complete change of pace. Besides, sometimes its good to change your environment for the sake of mental and emotional stability while you work. You''ll never know if the business down the street, or in the next city, is willing to pay you more and treat you better unless you find it on your own.

You will never find treasure unless you go forth and seek it.

[inventagod]

Snarky overpaid managment skimming the tips of minimum-wage employees?
Euwww!

Way to go, judge!