Charles W. wrote:
I don't get this. I thought the point of a tipping system was to financially reward excellent service. It may be a odd system, that that is what it is for, no? If tips are shared across all servers, then it no longer functions this way. This may be a good system, but it doesn't sound like the "tip" system.
so many other factors come into play as well. dividing up stations, large parties, no shows, etc... how much money a server makes does depend on the level of service they provide. but not entirely. for example, lets just assume that i am a great server who always provides perfect service (HA!) but on a certain night i am in a station that is right by the front door or windows. a frigid wind comes in every time a guest enters the room. no one is going to want to sit in that station and my money will suffer. on the other hand, a walk-in eleven top decides to start dinner with four bottles of vueve-cliqout and drink opus one all night long. the server who gets that eleven top is just plain lucky. the tip pool provides more of a level playing field. we all still strive to get great tips because we know that is how to make more money!
p.s. i am not arguing that tips pools are better, just relaying my experience