Guest_kiwikate said:
We don't tip in New Zealand but have learnt the ins and outs of tipping since we have been visiting the US. I can't see why we should tip someone for doing what they are paid to do and really should do to the best of their ability.
Kate,
I'm not sure what the various Amtrak crewmembers make, so I can't discuss that properly. I will only mention two quick things in regard to Amtrak workers. Most Amtrak workers could probably make more money if they left Amtrak and went to work elsewhere. Sleeping car attendants to hotels, dining car attendants to restaurants, etc.
Secondly, unlike their counterparts in the other industries, many Amtrak workers work very long days. The sleeping car attendant is on call 24 hours a day during your journey. The waiters/waitresses typically work all 3 meals a day. The average waiter/waitress in a restaurant might pull a double shift, breakfast/lunch or lunch/dinner, but very few work a triple.
Next, let me tell you about tipping in general over here in the US.
In most US restaurants, the waiter/waitress is
not being paid to do that job by their employer. The employer pays them a pittance and tips make up a huge part of their salary.
The minimum wage a worker can be paid in the US, as set by the Federal Government, is $5.15 per hour. However those working as waiters/waitresses are exempt from that law. Their minimum wage is currently set at $3.30 per hour, last I knew.
So as you can see, there is a huge difference between pay rates. Many of the small coffee shops and restaurants pay their workers the minimum. So those waiters/waitresses do rely heavily on tips to support themselves and their families. Someone working the cash register at McDonalds could easily be earning more than a waitress in a coffee shop, unless she gets tipped.
Now, yes the better restaurants pay more to attract better employees, but even they underpay by comparison to other industries trying to attract better employees because of the tip factor.