but its not my responsibility as a consumer to make up the wage they arent being paid. To me the theory is, i do this work with my body or mind, i get paid this amount for this amount of result/time i put in. this is set up when i apply for the job. That being said there is a minimum amount set for which a job can say my work is worth, so to go to a job then that employer saying okay yeah you must work these hours for sure, but im not gonna pay you this minimum amount for sure is silly. If you were a door to door salesmen working off commision i get it, you have the freedom to make your own hours and work in your accord. But to be a waitress working at a place for sure between these hours you should atleast have a fall back of being paid this amount of money. to get into a job that dosent have any guarantee on income is stupid. If they have no other skills to get a job other than theyre a pretty face, im sorry but thats not my problem. the skills it takes to earn tips is too obejctive so why should that influence a set numerical value of what my hourly rate is? Tips should be extra money, if your a good waitress yay youll make more money than expected, if your shit well it isnt the end of the world. atleast you have that paycheck coming. Im still baffled by the fact employers can pay people less than a minimum amount set by the government on the hopes that they make up the rest from peoples generosity.