Living On Minimum Wage (Honest Response)

Here are my comments on 'Surviving an Unlivable Wage | Full Documentary" by CBS News - Original Video Here: • Surviving an Unlivable... | Add me on Instagram and Snapchat: GPStephan
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[@philly799]

I live in Idaho and the minimum wage is $7.25 / hour. The local McDonald's is paying $18 and they still can't hire enough people.

[@Superbustr]

Does $18 cover the cost of living, including food, rent, transportation, health, with money extra to save? If the answer is no then don't be surprised if people are not signing up for these jobs.

[@Sam_Hopkins]

​@Superbustr not to mention working at McDonald's is a HARD job. Who wants to deal with crappy customers and terrible work environment? Not me. I worked there for a while and I'm so glad I moved on.

[@Superbustr]

@@Sam_Hopkins It sounds more like people are lazy and don't want to work. Where I live, even working at a McDonalds would pay enough money to keep you going and happy. The issue being is that there are no McDonald jobs. There are software, fashion administration, construction, and hotel jobs that all require accreditation and schooling but other than that there are few to no so called easy jobs that don't require an educational certificate.

[@Sam_Hopkins]

@@Superbustr It's true, I was recently looking for a something temporary to work before I start my job and it was extremely hard to find anything. I got rejected from every fast food place, even though I have experience working in fast food. I believe there's only a shortage of those kinds of jobs in places where they are paying the bare minimum wage, which isn't even enough to live on.

[@dt93]

​@@Superbustrmodern minimum jobs will never pay a living wage. Many of these folks work two jobs to survive.

[@Lindseyhannah1995]

I worked as a waitress for one of my first jobs where I was paid $2.13 an hr. It was a very small diner that was very cheap to eat at, so a 20% tip was typically $1-3. If I didn’t make enough money to count as minimum wage they were supposed to pay us the difference on our paycheck. Whenever I wouldn’t make enough to equate to minimum wage my manager would override the system to claim I made more money on tips than I did so she wouldn’t have to do the paperwork to pay me correctly. This also allotted in more taxes being taken out for me for money I didn’t even make. Safe to say I quit after a month.

[@clairesinead7660]

same! this has happened so many times to me throughout the country working in this industry.

[@hottygirl1468]

Yeah THATS illegal for ny I’m not sure anywhere else.

[@Lindseyhannah1995]

@@hottygirl1468 I’m pretty sure it’s illegal everywhere. I think it’s called wage garnishing? This was in KY.

[@thecrippledpancake9455]

@@hottygirl1468It is definitely illegal everywhere and it is constantly violated by tiny restaurants. Very easy to cheat and highly unregulated

[@henry1050]

​@@hottygirl1468have to have money to afford a lawyer to sue for your missing pay 🤡

[@cynthiag.5048]

While everything is in your control, I think it’s important to realize how the stress of this type of lifestyle doesn’t even allow you enough time and mental clarity to pull yourself out of it.

[@Gromitz101]

It all starts with the family structure (raised/taught/habits shown). If you make bad decisions early on, like having kids early before you have a career, that's on you. If constantly spend outside your means, that's on you. Both those are completely in your control and doesn't require government assistance because at the end of the day government should only ever be temporary relief not an entitlement program. (using you/your in general not specifically to you as a person) On a side note, people earning minimum wage need to learn a trade/profession... The majority of the hospitality/service industry doesn't have a large barrier to entry, so its easily to replace people. That is also why the wage is going to be lower than other professions. If it requires $100 to acquire another replacement versus $5000, it makes financial sense for the company to pay low wages and have a ever revolving door of employees.

[@SSSFanBoy11]

@@Gromitz101yeah while everything around you is vying for your attention and $$$; when your beliefs and desires are pushed and pulled by master puppeteers (look at the marketing for cigarettes) it’s the individual fault for falling victim to such forces 🤣

[@Gromitz101]

@@SSSFanBoy11 Self control is within everyone's duty. It doesn't fall on anyone but yourself to remove yourself from temptations that you can't afford. Learning consequences are something that seems to be a lost characteristic in the last 20 years. Everyone wants to play victim.

[@eden1909]

​@@Gromitz101There's not a single person alive who has mastered self- control. Mercy, forgiveness, and charity should be given abundantly as we are all in a state of pitifulness. The government should not be the ones in the seat of giving, people should be, but everyone feels entitled to have more for themselves. As private Corporations have been labeled as 'a person', they should be first in line to give. Instead they have stolen under the guise of 'legal authority' which they bought with stolen money, and so there is a rightful entitlement by the employee to take back what was stolen from them.

[@youtubesucks1499]

Nope. It's hard to build a side hustle on the weekend after working 40 hours a week. It's called drive.

[@arminarsch]

I think tipping culture in the US is way out of control. Having to pay 15-20% tip because you know the service makes close to zero $ base income is just wrong. Also it gives you less freedom to appreciate really good service (let’s be honest, who gives 30% tip for really good service?). It should be the restaurant’s obligation to give a fair pay to the service, not the customer’s job.

[@KimberlyCallaghan-ef6bl]

you're right. but they don't. so tipping right now is important. The countries that don't tip pay their servers livable wages.

[@thenightmareman5399]

Especially in the USA it's like 500$ just to go to the dr g-d forbid I break a limb company only pay 60%of ur wages

[@Viconius]

@@KimberlyCallaghan-ef6bl It's an old custom that has long outlived it's usefulness. Go work at McDs for $17/hr. Those companies should go out of business if they can't find employees instead of using a cheating work-around.

[@Lacerated1DJ3]

If I can't afford to tip 20% when I go out to eat, I don't go. This is why I cook at home. Fair wages cannot be forced by customers who refuse to tip. Servers in some cases have to pay bartender and others a portion of your bill regardless if you tip.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

You don't have to tip. I like my food being cheaper

[@MichaelRoberts9000]

Fighting the employer while you work for them is easier said than done since many of them just fire you. Which is also illegal , but now you have fight them in court while not having a job.

[@mr.gamewatch8888]

Actually most of the time it’s not illegal, it’s very legal because most states you can be fired for anything.

[@Ookashay]

Well you can find many lawyers that charge you nothing and only take a percent of the settlement if they win. You will need a pretty cut-dry case though.

[@JoshuaPagan]

@@mr.gamewatch8888”insubordination” is the most infuriating one.

[@gbblarggb]

@@mr.gamewatch8888see this is were you are wrong. In all states, right to work, union, ect, if you are fired as retaliation for reporting anything illegal going on you will be completely compensated. Now it’s 9/10 times easy for a lawyer to show, hey they wrote a formal email, stating wages are being done wrong this or that, never do verbal, and then the next day they got fired and boom, fines and hardships and blah blah blah. And most lawyers will work for free on these cause how easy it is if you do proper emails, but 90% of the time people do verbal, and have 0 evidence of anything.

[@gbblarggb]

Seen disney try it and a union rep got a supervisor fired over it. It was wild.

[@dan_lev]

A tip out from a tip that doesn't exist is illegal and should be reported to the labor board. Also the minimum tip wage is only if the person receives tips in excess of the minimum wage. If the staff doesn't make at least minimum wage, then the restaurant is required to pay them minimum wage.

[@TheChemist2159]

Yea that was my understanding but why do these people never mention that or blantly lie and say they don't make that

[@isaiahbennette6140]

Good luck have fun with that it's literally the whole industry. Just because something's illegal doesn't mean people/companies don't do it. I've paid to wait on people before just like every other server in America.

[@BekEhr]

Mom and pop diners can afford to sell at such a low cost because they don’t spend millions on advertisements and corporate bonuses. They are honest people who just like what they do.

[@aaronnapier1167]

And probably get locally food products

[@joonsantini]

They also don’t have to pay servers which helps but they still might just be scraping by if there’s fast food restaurants around.

[@FatAlbert1020]

Not exactly. These mom and pop diners are able to sell so cheaply because they repaid their startup costs in the 70’s. Loans, mortgages, equipment costs, etc are gone. A restaurant opening today across from a 40 year mom and pop diner will be at a major cost disadvantage because their startup overhead must be added to their food costs

[@matts1166]

Can I give you an insider view? I've worked for restaurants for almost 30 years of my life. I've worked fast food, cafeteria, diners, and deli's. I've worked every position from bus boy, to server, to greeter, to dishwasher, to chef, to manager, to owner. The larger fast-food places like McDonalds saves A LOT of money because they aren't just a restaurant. They also own many of the farms, production facilities, and distribution. Owning your own trucking company to deliver your own product to your own stores is HUGE and cuts out so many middlemen taking their share. Mom and pop places survive on a razor's edge of profits, and often only make it because the owner themselves puts in many hours. Since covid lockdowns ended I've averaged 57 hours per week in my store, for 2.5 years strait. I've taken 30 days of vacation in 20 years, and that includes my honeymoon and births of two children. As for tips, I've had an open discussion with my employees about going to a no-tip structure with higher wages. My starting waiting salary is $8.50/ hour (rural Iowa here) plus tips. Going to no-tips it would have been $12.50/ hour. Almost ALL the employees shut that down. The only ones that didn't are the burnouts and trash that put no effort in. Even the so-so skilled waitstaff prefer tipping.

[@youtubesucks1499]

Not even close to factual. A mom and pop has the same overhead as any other restaurant.

[@RasmusBLusk]

Your answer to most of what they said were just "They got to be able to find something else" While this might be true it doesn't really change that those jobs should be payed more

[@CrypticCobra]

So long as there is someone willing to work it for the low price, nothing will change.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

Why should they be paid more?

[@hydroho]

i used to be in the food industry. after covid i said i would never go back. i applied to EVERY remote job i could find and landed one. best decision ever.

[@thatguy_2650]

What's the job if you don't mind me asking. I tried leaving after COVID but I had a hard time finding something else. Now I got laid off and I need to find something.

[@trekkie79startrek23]

​@@thatguy_2650I work at frito-lay as a merchandiser and I will soon be moving up to higher position. I would recommend looking at it. They will help you pay for some college and even have a few free online college degrees aswell. I live in ND and make 19.50 but will soon be making 63k. They pay for your mileage aswell as an hourly rate with the merchandiser position. All you have to do is put chips on a shelf and do FIFO.

[@user-dw1ls3rp1l]

Be careful with those remote jobs. The employer that doesn't need you there, is one small step from not needing you at all.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed🎉

[@anastasiamorrison]

Thinking back to those server days, I remember making $30 in a shift and having spent much of that on parking. When you get the supplemented amount, you’re still only typically making 1k a month in wages. I’d really love to see a video on living off of this sort of wage. Taking jobs that pay 17/hour can still feel like you’re treading water with the cost of living where it is right now.

[@chelseatomkowiak4207]

I’d also love to see a video on that. I have kids and make about $2400 a month after taxes. With a house and car payment, after bills and food there really is no spending money. I can’t imagine living on 1k a month.

[@Gromitz101]

@@chelseatomkowiak4207 It just comes down to never being able to afford new things, like a car or ever being able to save for a house.

[@CuteAnimeGirl]

I currently only make 1200 a month and live on that, but my rent is only 400 a month.

[@antonioiniguez1615]

Just get a better job

[@edwardholguin9441]

Graham: If they pay them anymore money they may go out of business Also graham: No other countries need tips to pay there employees its so weird 😂

[@swordstrafe]

Yeah food prices in Europe at restaurants is much higher. Now whether or not that model is better is up for debate but you’re paying for it either way.

[@forza1sra]

@@swordstrafe That's absolutely not the case in Italy at least. Food and restaurants are significantly cheaper and there's no tipping.

[@MrVizickles]

@@swordstrafe That's completely untrue. In many of evident cases major cities and even country sides in Europe eating out at restaurants is CHEAPER in Europe than it is in the US

[@milodanilovic185]

@@swordstrafe Depends where in Europe you eat, many decent places are also much cheaper than in USA. One example above mentioned Croatia.

[@asadb1990]

​@MrVizickles this has probably got to do with supply demand and people in usa willing to pay a lot more than people in other countries

[@samanthaerwin946]

If you don't make minimum wage on tips, the restuarant is supposed to compensate that by law. That is how it was for me when I was in the industry but it was never needed

[@Jacob-wn8qx]

I would like to say that while automation plays apart in the loss of factory jobs, beginning in the 90s and early 2000s most factory jobs were lost as companies offshored jobs to places with cheap labor.

[@elheffe2597]

None more prevalent than Indiana. Just take a trip to the rust belt if you want to see the hollowed out corpse of America sold off to China for corporate profit.

[@hlheutte6554]

exactly! Sure, Many things are assembled in the US, Mexico or Canada by technitiions and flashy futuristic machines that look great in commercials. but the journey from raw material to premanufactured component still relies heavily on cheap labor abroad.

[@mmmd3429]

The whole anti union and corporate greed made those jobs disappear for a reason.

[@Gromitz101]

@@mmmd3429 Jobs disappeared but economies of scale changed things at the same time. Though people hate that Walmart replaced small mom and pop shops their lively hood, Walmart also brought all those products for a fraction of the cost because of the sheer volume they can move across cities/states. An individual that used to have a factory job that paid more back then, didn't also have the ability to buy cheap Walmart products for a fraction of the cost. Am I in favor of Walmarts and Amazon...to a degree. You have access to a lot more at a fraction of the cost. Someone on low and medium wealth both have the same ability to save money by shopping there. Are the wages of those workers livable? To a degree, but again its also because they don't require much skill. People are paid by skill, and the reality is, if you dont have many skills you are just less valuable. It is not hard to get basic skills to succeed. The internet can teach you tons of things for free that can scale your skill level that people 20 years ago had to pay for. People are just too lazy/ignorant to try...its always easier to play the victim card and put no effort in than bettering yourself.

[@matts1166]

@@mmmd3429 Let's not forget free-trade agreements that became all the rage in the 90's.

[@sarahschroeder8544]

I worked as a waiter in Oklahoma and was paid $2/hr. At the end of two weeks the restaurant would pay out the cost of minimum wage if my tips didn't cover it, which happened every time. Many servers choose not report cash tips, which is why we always recommend tipping in cash. However, that still wasn't enough to cover the cost of living. I had no car, no debits, I walked to work, and I remember eating whatever the cooks would sneak for us because I couldn't afford making food. It wasn't sustainable and many people had second full time jobs at another restaurant or bar but people had little or no other options.

[@IRLand713]

In rural areas, like in my case, it ends up being cheaper for my wife to stay home with the kids rather than pay for childcare. It ended up being quite the blessing though and my wife wouldn't trade that time with our kids for all the money in the world.

[@Zac9]

Couldn't agree more bro old school way, get up before the sun while the wife and kids still sleeping working a long 12+ hour day coming home to what's the most important thing to you. Best way of living brother

[@heididuncan601]

That's why I stay home with my children as well. It's definitely a blessing to stay home with my babies. I've been able to exclusively breastfeed both of my girls and will do the same with new baby girl due in a few months. ❤

[@matts1166]

@@heididuncan601 My wife and I live in Rural Iowa and both have about a 4-minute commute to work. We both worked all through our kids' lives, but our schedules meshed well enough that at least one of us was home at all times, and we always had Tuesday and weekend nights off together.

[@alvaroquintero620]

Here’s something people don’t consider. Working for tips is addictive because your gambling each shift to see how much you make. Some you loose, some you work a double and only make $20 and some you walk out at the end of a 4 hour shift with $250. Not a single job in the planet (legal) can pay you $60+ per hour with no need to have any sort of education, degree, significant skills, or not even a clean background.

[@strawberry2773]

I lasted in the food industry three whole shifts. I was degraded and disrespected by enough tourists in those three days that made it not worth it. Thankfully I had no one relying on me or bills to pay at the time. Barely getting a taste of what those in the food industry go through makes me a forever tipper. Although, it's not fair that the fate of other's finances is up to the diner. They deserve better protections and baseline wages. These payouts and other loopholes so many owners abuse must be stopped.

[@LisetteZ3]

Graham, what I think you missed about upward mobility. I’ve talked to people on the poverty line trying to give them ideas. They don’t have a laptop, computer or printer. They have a shitty, unreliable phone. Simple things like that make it so much harder to get ahead. Also, employers see your resume and it’s really hard to go from minimum wage jobs to office worker sadly. Mind you, this is in the Netherlands but I reckon it also applies to the USA

[@KratosMafia]

Some jobs actually give you a laptop to work there because it has all of their security on it. Now a lot of jobs do say "You need your own laptop and a reliable connection to work here"/

[@sydney6268]

In the US you can use public computers and printers at the library if you need to and many unemployed people do so. In my experience, minimum wage to office worker isn't a terribly difficult jump but that largely depends on whether you have at least an associate's degree. I think the "education inflation" in the US is a big part of the problem. 50 years ago, you weren't expected to have a degree to make even a low wage as a receptionist, but now you are. This also makes a lot of degrees a net loss since you're still expected to work for the wages given to people without degrees.

[@Worminthedirt]

Also yes although many can use a library for a computer there are many towns in my state that are so remote I could see it being very difficult to even do that. And I could see it being hard to get an office job right off the bat, but with some good wordsmithing skills you can at leadt try. I got into accounting with nothing on paper except customer service and sales, just worded and got creative with skills I built over the years and being able to show critical thinking skills and ability to learn, also attitude matters and can be hard to kick when you’re struggling financially. it’s hard.

[@xymzk]

@@sydney6268 There are usually time limits on computer use at libraries IF someone has access to one and it's extremely hard to get any remote job, even the lowest paying ones, esp without relevant experience as they are in high demand. People generally need to do relevant work with a non-profit first in order to have a chance of getting such a position.

[@sydney6268]

@@xymzk I wasn't talking about remote jobs, I meant accessing email and word processors to make resumes and things like that. I don't think a library would let you actually work a shift on a public computer

[@saimena12]

When someone says if you don't like it get a better job is the same thing as saying I understand your job needs to be done but whoever does that job deserves to live in poverty.

[@CrypticCobra]

Servers are not "needed". They could easily be replaced by a tablet. Patrons place their order through the tablet, and a single runner is responsible for delivering all food and drinks ordered to the entire restaurant, or hell redesign that system as well and make customers go pick up their food when the order is ready. The problem is people would never switch to those systems when the current system exists. People like to have a slave weight on their every need. That preference does not make it a need though.

[@cherxii4781]

@@CrypticCobra people go out to restaurants for ambiance and convenience. Having people just pick up their food is the dumbest idea ever. Chucklehead, you go to the restaurant for social aspect and not being at home. Change of scenery, so guess what? You'd still need bussers at minimum. Sure servers may not be needed themselves but bussers operate by the same metric and are included in what you tip.

[@CrypticCobra]

@@cherxii4781 you fail to recognize the difference between a need and a want

[@matts1166]

@@CrypticCobra Not to mention that there are many successful restaurants that have done exactly what you suggested.

[@robochristt]

​@@CrypticCobra The most profitable thing a restaurant sells is alcohol and with most laws around selling that you will not be able to trust a tablet to know when to cut off a person. So the tablet thing will not work if they sell alcohol as well as food.

[@KeaganLegit]

I’m at a point in my life now that I don’t ever have to worry about going back to jobs like retail, fast food etc. I can’t believe CEOs, Shareholders, and whomever else is at the top sleep well at night knowing they are paying these people bread crumbs.

[@chief583]

I grew up and live in Kokomo Indiana, the second restaurant was a place called half moon. It’s sad to hear from that lady who was literally loosing money on certain meals. However, there are laws in Indiana where the company must make up the difference if the wage pulse tips doesn’t equal minimum wage, but it seldom happens.

[@nappa3550]

It's even worse in Muncie. It's a hole you can't get out of here.

[@thegrayjedi974]

When I worked at Amazon, I injured my back badly (L3-L4 Herniated Disc). I was told either keep working, or leave. The district manager told me: "Plenty of people will replace you." Honestly, the biggest issue in America today is the lack of Government protecting the people from greedy and abusive employers. And it has to be the Government. Who else will look out for the little guy?

[@willandersen3695]

Agreed. That's what they're there for.

[@nicholi8208]

Andrew yang

[@jonathanstone..]

You pay tax for the government to help you when needed but the government is filled with people lining their own pockets in every country

[@thegrayjedi974]

@@roba4139 Nope. Private contractor. No compensation, no tax breaks, no healthcare and almost no rules to how we are treated.

[@JamielDeAbrew]

And if the unemployment rate is too low, it will be pushed back up to avoid inflation.

[@kkemp221]

The last 30 or 40 years people began to look down on people who prefer a symple but good life. Today more and more people are jealous on them. My mother did learn me that 'symplicity is the hallmark of true' It hasn't done me wrong

[@sos2530]

Not to be that guy but it’s simplicity. I’m guessing you’re a kid.

[@kkemp221]

@@sos2530 thank you for correcting me. As english is not my native speech i do make mistake sometimes.

[@sos2530]

@@kkemp221 you’re welcome. the whole “y” and “I” sound tripped up plenty of native English speakers in elementary/primary school. I don’t think many native speakers really got a handle on all the English language “rules” until the end of high school/secondary school. So you’re doing all right.

[@melynn44]

He mentioned the $5 hamburger with such awe....I had to chuckle. The local diner in my town has some of the best burgers you will ever find. And people, including my own family, grumble because they raised the prices again, and the hamburger is up to $2.80. Haha.

[@crazyman1108]

Theres a book to read that further interviews people in these service industries, titled "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. The book has the author go undercover working as a waitress, hotel cleaner and other service jobs up and down the East Coast. The people she speaks with, they live a rather torturous life, health insurance they don't get, or get just get the bare minimum, some live with roommates, or live in an RV, some even reside in cheap motels paying weekly on because they can't afford the first/last month's rent. This was written in 2000 and its continuing on today how people can't survive on the tips they recieve. Its a good read, even my town school district has it as required Summer reading.

[@xymzk]

I also thought of this book. It's unfortunately still quite relevant.

[@MiguelY22]

I read that book in high school

[@mmmd3429]

RV living can be a life hack to save a good amount of money.

[@Starfish6]

Read that book and I must say it is garbage....

[@antonioiniguez1615]

Maybe they should work more and stop spending money they don't have

[@Martz7]

Love how Graham is so open minded!! Admirable

[@aaveragedayin5455]

I currently work at a sushi restaurant as a server and I think there’s a huge difference between low/high end restaurants. In a night average for me is 200$ (just in tips) for a 6 hour shift. Hearing how much some of these serves make is really saddening

[@ctflem]

I think most servers don't know that it's the responsibility of the employer to make up the difference between minimum and pay received if a server doesn't make enough in tips. Either that, or they are too afraid to raise the issue. I get the feeling a lot of restaurant are screwing over servers and not doing this.

[@CashMoneyReckadz]

Tbh most servers do relatively well. Most of these horror stories come from restaurant workers who live / work in the middle of no where and this is the only job in town. I served in both rural and urban areas and would always make 2-4X minimum wage just in tips.

[@aileenonvenus]

@@CashMoneyReckadz but there’s a lot of inequality there, sadly younger, conventionally attractive, and extroverted servers tend to get more tips no matter the level of service. Hell, even a coffee shop owner in Seattle noted her black employees made less tips (she got rid of tipping and made the minimum wage $21) It’s not the same as a standardized wage

[@walterwhite1]

Yes they are afraid of there boss

[@matts1166]

@@aileenonvenus I've worked almost 30 years in the restaurant industry. I've worked every position from busboy to owner. I'm in rural Iowa, any my average server is recording $8.50 in wages plus $3 in tips per hour. That's RECORDING. Realistically speaking they are making closer to $10 per hour. I offered to go with no tips, higher wage. They almost all shut it down except for the crappy ones that don't deserve a tip for the service they give.

[@anthonyikedakolar9375]

It's great to see your opinions are still very much aligned with the people, while providing insight about these policies from a business point of view. Great video!

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

thank you!

[@kingbender22]

@@TheGrahamStephanShow a 6 hour shift at 7.25 after taxes is like 36$ my G

[@amandaturner9903]

​​​@@kingbender22I also came here to say this! Literally making at least $7.25 an hour nets like $30 for a shift after deductions, and that IS legal. Very eye opening.

[@KingCreepa]

@@kingbender22 He didn't want to dig into any of the math, I can't imagine why 🤔 It was strange too how he missed the fact that if you make 36$ a day- tax you prolly dont have enough for a lawyer. Last I checked just for my fathers death the retainer to get the paperwork done was 5k, imagine having a family member die and you cant even afford to legally transfer assets.

[@micosstar]

@@TheGrahamStephanShow yay for your take!

[@Lea_LSD]

Hi Graham, a slight correction is that Croatia and other places in Europe do have a tipping culture, but it's not mandatory like in the US. There were talks about introducing mandatory tips and tipping taxes in Serbia but it was very unpopular as it would take money away from the servers in a service oriented economy. The tips are never mentioned in the bill and instead it is up to you to decide weather to tip or not. People on a budget probably won't tip at all and that's fine, but most people like to round the bill up (ex. giving 50€ for a 46€ bill). Also, expected tips increase depending on how expensive your order is, if you just order a coffee, rounding it up to a nice number is common (ex. 5€ for two coffees that are 4,30€). Anything less than 5€ for an expensive table is considered rude, but the workers are paid minimum wage or even more depending on the time of year. Source: I know a few waiters, one of them is Croatian. Great video btw, long time viewer here!

[@michi-nzh]

I´m from Europe and I agree 😀

[@Ohrami]

Tipping is not mandatory in the US either.

[@allayjahm4040]

It’s *usually* not mandatory it’s expected in the US. Ex: certain places have auto gratuity at 18-20% depending on group size or type of restaurant. Outside of the US it’s not expected, it’s appreciated. Though in certain Asian locations I’m told they won’t accept tips at all. So the doc he’s watching really is US only in terms of the ‘tips being someone’s livlihood’

[@matts1166]

@@allayjahm4040 I would like to point out that any "mandatory gratuity" is actually NOT a tip, by law anyway. Anything mandatory is actually considered a service fee. There are some differences in how that is handled, such as real tips can not be shared with managers. (If you've ever had tip-sharing, managers CAN NOT by law be in on the sharing). Service fees CAN be. There' a few more things service fees on crdit cars can have the CC fees taken out of the "tip".

[@helenagastier]

An important thing to consider when you bring up telework is that people who live in rural areas may not have access to internet at all or it may cost more than they would make.

[@1987whynot1987]

I tell everyone including my nieces and nephew don't get stuck making minimum wage at a dead end job, and that will always be my advice to people who serve, just like that restaurant can always find another employee you can always find a new job

[@saulgoodman2018]

It is illegal put use money out of your own pocket to pay into a tipped pool. She is being taken advantage of.

[@loving_dad_explorer]

Slavery mindset is still ingrained in US

[@stikfamaster2]

Absolutely

[@sab3295]

Years i pooled money. YEARS

[@walterwhite1]

Ya it really is sad how dumb people can be and how they become a slave to the boss. It’s quite pathetic. This country is crumbling.

[@sab3295]

@@walterwhite1 when I pooled we would have a room. The people in that room that pooled helped each other cause it was their money too! This is NOT illegal. It's a common practice in the service industry. You share your money and they do too.... pooling is NOT illegal. If it was the place that I worked for which was not a crappy restaurant at all would not have you do it.

[@finncore5916]

This is absolutely appalling. How does this even happen! I live in the UK I've worked in the restaurant industry base pay is £9-15 an hour depending on experience and age and you get tipped often. Eating out price wise isn't too diferent from the US either. Don't know what's going on over there

[@Peter-kt2gb]

Servers in the US typically make decent money if they work at a good restaurant. Or even an average one. Tips usually bring the hourly wage well above the normal minimum wage. Of course it varies wildy depending on where you are, but you can make a nice living as a server.

[@themuskrat5776]

Tipped by whom? Not residents of the UK is my guess but by tourists.

[@finncore5916]

@themuskrat5776 back when I was working as a KP my tips were often more than my actual wage. Granted it was a nice gastro

[@jjquinn295]

Alot of restaurants in the US pay way above minimum wage in the US. Even McDonald's in cities will pay 15-18 dollars and hour. The issue the people in the video have is they live in an area that has been run down, not that they work in a restaurant.

[@AlastorTheNPDemon]

Lack of consequences for exploitation.

[@lukescapee1234]

My roommate makes $150-300 / night as a server outside Nashville. I feel like these people just need to find a better restaurant or better location.

[@Theoliviatati]

I am not sure why restaurants differ so much between places like Europe or really anywhere else in the world. The tipping culture in the US really doesn't make sense. Tips shouldn't be expected more so given as a reward like it is everywhere e,se in the world. Just pay restaurant workers a normal wage... if margins are thin, then find ways to increase your margins and make your business more profitable. That's how it works in every other industry.

[@craigcarter400]

If I did that diner job, I just wouldn’t want to show up on weekdays. You are basically making money by not going to work all day.

[@EmilyIlett]

As someone who lives in the U.K. I find tipping culture a bit strange. Here it is completely optional to tip and there is no minimum amount you should be tipping. I personally only tip when I have received outstanding service. Service charge can be added to the bill for large groups but the thing is the waiters get paid a proper salary so don’t have to rely on tips. I’m not saying you’d be rich working as a waiter but you’d at least be making the minimum wage before any tips.

[@RunicMike]

It's not just the minimum wage, service workers here also get guaranteed paid holiday, sick leave and maternity leave. That's why I was fine tipping in the USA, because I knew chances were good that low paid service staff didn't have the same benefits we get by default so the tip makes sense there. Whereas here it's purely a gratuity, a way to thank them for going above and beyond rather than expected/mandatory.

[@EmilyIlett]

@@RunicMike true!

[@marinam9925]

Graham you always give great advice, love watching your videos

[@robclarke6273]

I issue you a challenge Graham. Simulate living on minimum wage for a week, I think it would be really interesting.

[@girlyteengirl101]

I feel like he would do great with groceries and not eating out but his mortgage would be undoable

[@robclarke6273]

@@girlyteengirl101 no doubt, I just think given his thrifty ways, he might also be able to show how to budget with (essentially) nothing. Take into account mean cost of rent for his area, utilities, etc, and work with those limitations to build a food and clothing budget. Could be great tv (KZbin)

[@girlyteengirl101]

@@robclarke6273 oh i see! You're right, i think he'd have a lot of little saving tricks

[@CaseyBurnsInvesting]

You can’t find a job at McDonald’s paying the federal minimum wage in any state.

[@jimmypena2442]

I believe Mcdonalds workers in LA make upwards of $21/hr…

[@kimblem.w9952]

I don't think anyone anywhere actually pays the federal minimum wage unless you're working for some diner or convenience store in the middle of nowhere Alabama.

[@gabriellacadena5787]

McDonald’s down the street from me in Texas advertises starting at $14, double the min wage

[@ilhanyusuf2160]

@@jimmypena2442 yeah but the cost of living there is disgusting lmaooo

[@AshCerto]

@@jimmypena2442how many are full time employees? I’ve seen a lot of places only keep you at part time.

[@ExpatmomGuatemala]

When I was a kid, we stopped in at one of those diners and I remember thinking that I wanted to have a place where I could go in and say, "The usual" like all the old-timers did. It was on my bucket list, lol.

[@CapHim]

In the UK most restaurants charge a non-obligatory 12.5% service charge that you can decline to pay. In Germany you tip in between 5-10% dependent on how satisfactory the service was.

[@aleksandrtokorev-klink883]

I really like this kind of videos, realistic, honest and true

[@GrandNebSmada]

I find it crazy how literally everyone no matter their age seems to fall into the mental trap of thinking if certain decades in the 20th century were only as long ago as they were in the year 2000 when it's been 23 years since just then

[@turtleanton6539]

Ooof😮

[@sarahedwards2681]

As someone who lives in a small town and use to waitress, I think That restaurant jobs are mostly for teens and people in their early 20’s. I waitressed when I was in my early 20’s and that was enough to live on. Now that I’m older I work better paying jobs that I was able to find living in one of the poorest and smallest of towns. There comes a point where you just have to find a better paying job no matter how long you’ve been at the low paying job. You do what you have to do to support your family.

[@novamaster0]

Yes this is something people have to do, if they have the luxury of being able to upskill and such. But does this mean that whoever this waitress is, deserves to live in poverty?

[@sarahedwards2681]

@@novamaster0 I wouldn’t say deserve. But they have the responsibility to get out of poverty. Like I did.

[@kistelkistel]

I imagine that it would take a toll on the body too

[@arex9000]

they should but welcome to reality of the situation. This is now someone's second or third job.

[@cassady7169]

@@Alex-cw1phRiiiiggghhhtttt, because the owner of the small diner in the small town that the original comment was describing is buying their 7th yacht. Touch grass.

[@regtalkswealth]

The thumbnail is genius made me chuckle 😂 the message in the video though very true

[@punkbassandcovers]

When I was a teenager in the late 90s I did a New England diner tour. It was literally a weekend going to diners throughout the northeast with (mostly) retired people on a bus. It was put together by a local historical society. It was awesome.

[@TheSUPERHAPPY1]

Was the diner aware ahead of time that a bus was going to show-up?

[@megnofilter1056]

They do have to pay you regular minimum wage if you don't make it in tips. And tip out is not technically required, but you agree to it as a policy of the job most of the time. In some states they do pay min wage for servers who also get tipped. Also, working at a diner vs. cheesecake factory is going to be a big difference in pay. In WA state I averaged $25-$35/ hr after adding min wage and tips. And $20-$25 in NC where they pay the $2.13/hr

[@AllHailDotHack]

Hey Graham, just correcting you about some parts of Europe. Yes, the bill doesn't have that weird American thing where you have to put down the whole calculation thingy, For example in Israel the bill would just say "Not Including Service" to imply you should tip, that works by either leaving cash or by telling the server how much you'd want charged to your credit card. Mind you, servers in Israel are paid the minimum wage (29.96ILS or 8.3$) and the food is outrageously expensive (plain pasta is like 40ILS)

[@maticb]

Yea it depends, some places e.g. in Italy, they add a "service fee", but it's usually small, like 2-3 € per invoice. Also we do leave tips (in the Balkans, since Graham mentioned Croatia), but usually you'd just tell the waiter to "keep the change" so tips are ~50 cents. But if you do this in bars with high volume and people get drunk in the evenings those waiters can make a decent amount from those "keep the change" tips - especially if they're girls usually.

[@RyanWillis227]

UK in last few years has started adding "Service Fee" on receipts. I don't like it, I'd prefer to tip the wait staff.

[@irissupercoolsy]

It depends where in Europe. In Belgium we really don't tip and other countries always complain if "some Belgians" came in and didn't tip.

[@xxMuchuxx]

Try Italy or the South of France for instance, most places will charge you a service fee for sitting outside and it will increase that fee the further you sit away from the bar (server has to walk further so you pay for that). Tipping is tipping in most countries where you give something extra for the great service, not to hold that persons wage in your hands for them maybe having a bad day. The funny thing is @graham your response is the response most Americans give abroad. Just because it’s not on the bill, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist :)

[@tiffany.Elizabeth.]

You trying to understand tipping / the restaurant industry was hilarious to me as someone who spent 17 years in the industry. I worked in Canada but I also lived in wealthy areas and made a ton of money. Like $25-30 an hour

[@MegaLokopo]

Every US based call center is always hiring, if you are not making enough as a server, work for a call center. Their turnover rate is so high they have dedicated employees who ship out empty boxes to ex employees to get equipment returned.

[@benjaminjones858]

About raising prices for waiters and waitresses, I can’t say whether it would be a good idea or not, but if the government did change that law, the restaurant probably wouldn’t lose much business since every other restaurant would have to do the same. Hard to say though

[@vshtonxx4288]

I used to work at Top Golf as a server while I was going to school. One night I had a group with a $600 tab. I had catered to them for over two hours and I owed the bar more than $40 for their table at the end of the night. I was tipped $20 after their business card was declined and they had to use a personal card to pay for their meal.

[@kylegrimm]

Bro when are we going to see a studio refresh? Would love to see a fresh new look!

[@joshk5470]

The thing ive found most people also dont know about, is that servers tip out a percent of the subtotal regardless of what we get in the tip. Also what is overlooked, is the minimum wage of $2 whatever, is only applied as long as the tips plus that wage are equal too or higher than the normal minimum wage

[@robochristt]

The other thing most people don't know is that when people tip on the credit cards, the credit card companies take a percentage of that tip. It adds up quick

[@chesspwn7457]

Pretty sure the tipping wage still needs to meet the minimum wage after good or the store needs to make up the difference. It's just that a lot of people make so much extra on tips that their hourly compensation is higher than federal minimum wage Edit: just saw that it was mentioned already right at the end haha

[@jcortes06]

You mentioned that it's not worth her time to go in during the week, but it's not like she can choose to only come in on the weekends. And while employers do make up the difference when the tips don't reach minimum wage, $7.25 an hour is still not a livable wage in 2023

[@koneeche]

Your last comment about reporting the company that these people work for, a lot of these places will be able to figure out who filed the report and retaliate without any repercussions. Especially if the report is filed through the company's HR. The ones who report the company are those are most vulnerable, because they cannot leave their work. They cannot sue for retaliation, either, because it is too expensive and time-consuming. On top of all of that, there are certain agreements that an employee agrees to that oftentimes meddles with any form of litigation against the company - in favor of said company. It's a lose-lose-lose-lose-lose situation, no other way around it. Just felt like mentioning this, great video regardless.

[@ProductBasement]

Most call center jobs in the US involve some level of salesmanship. I almost went for a call center job where they advertised up to $12.50/hr (this was in ~2012), but that was cold-calling and based on how many calls you could transfer to a "closer" for the sale. If you didn't transfer any calls, you'd get $8.50 for that hour. Actual hourly jobs are all in other countries without minimum wages

[@thenerdymillennial]

I'm so glad you are reacting to this video...I have been in the service industry for ten years industry and people don't realize how much actually goes into it... unfortunately some people don't have any other options besides this

[@im_big_nub5490]

Greatest of all time. Your the best finance guy at the moment

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

Thank you!

[@aaronhughson285]

7:37 Server wages still need to on an hourly basis be standard minimum wage if a server got skunked on tips the business is still required to make up the difference.

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

That's what I was thinking...

[@DCfan6767]

Yep

[@JamielDeAbrew]

Look up the term “full employment”. The system is worried that a low unemployment rate will lead to inflation. So the system won’t let the unemployed rate go too low. As a result, there is never enough demand to help the lowest paid workers. And some people remain unemployed.

[@Dis_is_fine]

Here in Canada our servers get paid the regular minimum wage plus the tips. Because of that I usually tip around 15% vs the 20-30% I tip when traveling in the US.

[@MephistoRolling]

You are right, the restaurant would have to charge more to cover the higher wages... but the customers are already paying that higher price, because they pay tips. So if every restaurant changed and charged more, then the staff are guaranteed higher wages, and the customers are not paying any more out of pocket than they were before, and every place changed their prices, so there is still the same level of competition.... just makes sense.

[@yoeddy]

loved honest reposne

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

Thanks!

[@jasonportillo5870]

You’re awesome Graham!

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

Ah thanks!

[@ROIRalph]

I think this should be a reality check for some and the ones who can should learn a skill or trade ✨️

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

Fourth!

[@lilbtyt7928]

Damn thanks captain obvious. It’s easier in places with actual jobs and centers that teach it but lots of places don’t have either. That’s why a lot of the south is pretty fucked. And less Americans are willing to start on low wages for beginners when they can make more at target short term.

[@themattrixrevolution]

😂 I recommend not being a CNC machinist or machinist. They try to low ball you as much as possible especially in California

[@oscarshedwick4862]

Serving is a skill you clutz.

[@l.h.tnguyen4916]

@@oscarshedwick4862 The lowest skill possible. Hence why high school students serve. Find a skill that pays more.

[@xMontorix]

I went from living on minimum wage at $8/hr in 2016 to now making $100k/year. For anyone living on minimum wage don't be afraid to take job opportunities and pay raises when they are presented to you. Yeah, it'll be new but it will only upgrade your life. Take those leaps. You already know what it's like making your income. Find out what it's like to make a little more. Bit by bit.

[@johnnywang206]

Working in the service industry should be temporary. It’s not a career. They need to stop trying to turn it into one.

[@rjd3wine]

@@johnnywang206 Working in fine dining in a city is a 6-figure income for waitstaff who work under 40 hours per week! in addition, a Food and Beverage director for a hotel can make around $250-300kplus bonuses per year with a 60-70 hour work week. It can be a career at the high end where it does take skill to keep people happy when they're dropping $300-400 per couple for dinner.

[@cassady7169]

@@rjd3wineAlthough you’re not wrong, the vast majority of service industry jobs are minimum wage entry level jobs. This is why there has been such a push to increase the minimum wage so much because many adults are stuck working in these jobs as they are so readily available.

[@rjd3wine]

@@cassady7169 Yes...agreed. When I travel or even go to a lower priced restaurant I often wonder "how are they surviving?"

[@marshmellowmoon7990]

@@johnnywang206 Why can't it be a career, someone needs to work that job so why are you acting like it is lesser than other jobs.

[@WoodyJ98]

I'll say this- there's actually a lot of manufacturing jobs out there. If you look at Metro-Detroit, there's a lot of places hiring, willing to offer 17$ an hour, with loads of overtime. I guess so many people have abandoned the career path, that the jobs opened up again.

[@davidplugz]

Great video

[@blueflameSM]

That should be illegal to charge the servers for no tip. Like Graham said, just add it to the bill.

[@ScottishJazzman]

It is.

[@saulgoodman2018]

It is.

[@stevenporter863]

Agree but don't think it should be automatically charged on the bill - that is just shifting the burden to the customers which will result in fewer customers and no job or fewer jobs for servers. It should be servers only have to share a percentage of tips.

[@themattrixrevolution]

Should banned tipping altogether and up the minimum wage at least $20/hr

[@funtechu]

It is illegal. Either she is lying, or her employer is breaking the law.

[@leonardopilic8652]

Hey graham could you try to live off of minimum wage for one week? Try to work a 9-5 for a week and get a place …. Would be fantastic to watch

[@cjrdrums6159]

I think you should try for a month “30 on days minimum wage” find a place that will let you wait tables work in a restaurant. The highly replaceable jobs and only live off the federal minimum wage and try to pay the average rent car payment insurance etc… honestly if there’s any that can do it, it’s you!

[@cassady7169]

Dude it takes longer than a week to get a place to live even if you can afford it. Typically you have to show a few pay stubs to show you can afford the rent which would take at least a month.

[@restandrelaxation4039]

I tip 20% at least… usually more. I can afford it and I get remembered when I come back. I don’t want to be remembered for bad tips! Lol

[@plaisirdelanglais]

I am from the Czech Republic and it is normal to tip when drinking or eating, but it's never on the bill. You just leave it after paying or tell the waiter/bartender to round it up to a certain amount. It depends where you live, if you can't tip, it's fine, or even if it's a smaller amount, no one is going to judge. You are doing your best being helpful. As we do it all the time, it's not considered a problem. One of the reasons why I am not really motivated to visit America is this lack of transparency around the real price. You only see the prices, plus on your own you have to add taxes plus the most often obligatory tip. It is getting ridiculous over there, nevertheless now with chains like Starbucks or takeaway. NO is apparently not acceptable.

[@DontSleepOnTheNap]

I live in Indianapolis Indiana and there are jobs everywhere but like he said if you can’t move here it doesn’t matter 🤷🏾‍♂️ I literally saw a Mc Donald’s last week starting pay at 17/hr on day shift 19.50/hr on nights…

[@philbert006]

That's not always true though. It's something that McDonald's requires the franchise to advertise, but you go into that particular store and find they will start you at $8 an hour. McDonald's as the parent corporation controls all their advertising, all their pricing, requirements they have to purchase ad nauseum, but will assume zero of the cost or liability, and in many cases it's not realistic.

[@Kolumaic]

One thing not talked about here is the effect franchises have had. Corporations used to provide raises to servers, it was nickle and dime raises but it was a bit more. Franchises take over and they re-hire employees at the minimum and don't give raises. As for tip outs to bar tenders and bussers that's state by state.

[@1005RyAnNnN1005]

It's a cruel world we live in. 😢

[@DC-rd6oq]

In your example of a shift with $30 in tips, if she worked a 6 hour shift, that's $5/hr. As long as she is paid $2.25 /hour base, there is no deficit, so the employer was not breaking the law. The real problem is that $7.25/hour is not enough to live on.

[@Fredman5551]

Wrong

[@DC-rd6oq]

@@Fredman5551 Wrong that $7.25 isn't enough to live on, or wrong that 5+2.25=7.25?

[@nappa3550]

​@@Fredman5551how is $7.25 enough to live on? You live under a rock?

[@Fredman5551]

@@DC-rd6oq the latter. As it requires some assumptions that it should be, and that "live on" is a broad term that applies differently to different people

[@Fredman5551]

@@nappa3550 I hope one day you improve yourself to the point you don't spend frivolously and increase your value to society above that of a 16 year old teenager. You can do it. I believe in you.

[@kaylabeersingh2609]

The shot from cars made me smile

[@griffintherealfruit459]

You are a smart man I enjoy your content I look up to you

[@ArtistFormallyKnownasMC]

But remote jobs, and those that require phones, also require high-speed Internet. So let us not forget the gaps in this country with infrastructure. I live in a town that’s probably got like 12,000 people. I was very lucky when I took a remote job that I was even able to upgrade to high-speed Internet where I live. Even while knowing the next town over has it… I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to get it over here.

[@I-Am-No-One]

Im in Oregon where taco bells are offering $15 an hour start with no experience. I've walked through a target offering $18.25 an hour for a Target Starbucks barista. It's incredible what is being offered for low skilled jobs.

[@WildBoyLiv]

You do realize Oregon is expensive though that’s not a living wage in a city like Portland where the median home price is 569k and the median rent is 1,763.

[@Jessicalovechocolate]

I once worked for a restaurant that if you made enough in TIPS they were not obligated to pay you your hourly wage for working your shift.

[@philspaghet]

Yep he mentions that at the end

[@jacksonburger2081]

Graham, if the dinner can't afford to pay people a livable wage meaning they have to rely on tips, then the diner shouldn't exist. Clearly the margins aren't there.

[@fatemad4012]

If they they close the business many people will be out of jobs ? Is this better? to sitting at home and have no jobs or have a option of a Job even with terrible pay

[@AbramSJA]

I think if you are working 40 hours a week, you should be earning a living wage. If your job isn't doing that, send your employer a message by quitting and finding a new job.

[@Kevin-fn1rn]

Define living wage

[@stevenporter863]

Also it needs to be factored in that the larger the number more people that can do the job, the lower the pay and vice versa. Reason brain surgeons make more than McDonalds employees who serve french fries.

[@AbramSJA]

​@@Kevin-fn1rnA living wage is a wage that allows you to meet the necessities of life (food, shelter, transportation, hydro bills, etc).

[@Kevin-fn1rn]

@@AbramSJA which varies state to state, city to city

[@templarknight7]

@@Kevin-fn1rn Obviously the implication is that the job should be enough to live on in the area the job is located.

[@lastime77]

I can't imagine making that little. I made that amount more than 15 years ago in high school. I don't know how she lives on that wage without government assistant.

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

Agreed :/

[@philbert006]

The point of working on those days she only makes them dollars is if you don't work those days, you don't have a job. You can't just go work when it's busy then not work when it's not. It's insane to even have that thought. In that case, nobody would ever work except the weekend and nobody would be there during the week.

[@saraboutin2210]

Re: automation- the smelter I work for went from 5,500 operators to about 1,400

[@stom3998]

Great topic! Living off minimum wage would be very difficult. However, I do believe you keyed in on something that most don't when you said something to the effect of those that who want to do better financially have a way. It's true, if you want to make more, you will prioritize and work more hours or learn a skill and not allow excuses or fear of failure to hold you back.

[@NicksDynasty]

The food truck that I used to work on is guaranteeing $15 to $19 an hour for just regular employees (Ohio) It depends on your pay rate, but if tips don't add up to the amount the company will cover whatever brings you to your documented wage. It's higher for shift leads. I think it's like $24 an hour

[@michaelnishiguchi3176]

It could depend on the state or company but I’ve heard from a lot of servers that’s how it works.

[@NicksDynasty]

@@michaelnishiguchi3176 yeah, I think it's the actual company that ask the server to tip out buses in bartenders As far as the above minimum wage guarantee, that is definitely above the employer

[@kushalraj]

If I have to give a tip anyway it should be included in the menu. I will pay the business more if they ensure they pay their employees well. Most people who dine out add the tips in before seeing if they can afford a place. If I see a menu that says no tips necessary, I won’t go elsewhere because the menu prices are higher.

[@louisianabeast]

Still liking! Also could I suggest you review a video about capitalism and your thoughts?

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

thank you so much, sure thing!

[@stevenl202]

To me it’s crazy that at 15 I can make more money on stocks then some restaurant servers make in 2-3 weekdays combined off less than an hour of work. Also, I am so used to the 15 dollar minimum wage in Massachusetts that I can’t even fathom making 7.25 an hour. I also have friends that work as servers and they can make with tips upwards of 20 dollars an hour. How do restaurant owners in some states get away with paying there employees under minimum wage?

[@reneticsk]

I’m from Minnesota, and the lowest pay is like $12hr but most pay at least $16hr if your 16 years old. If they are ligit living off of tips, time to find a new job or sell feet pics lmao

[@andre9095]

If your business can’t exist without exploiting your workers, it doesn’t deserve to exist. People deserve to live, businesses don’t.

[@purplehearts2103]

We love you Graham

[@TheGrahamStephanShow]

❤️

[@avres13]

They should up the prices. Restaurant wasn’t a thing with the exception of a hotel. Once people start having vacations and earning more money in the US continue to expand then restaurants became very common outside of hotels. And if people can’t afford an expensive restaurant, they should be eating at home and healthier.

[@irohsprodigy]

i would like to add that not everyone has that business or upward mentality that you have. not only that but when you're barely making it day in and day out. you dont always have the mental capacity or even the knowledge to seek the knowledge to improve. even with the wealth of information/tech/knowlege i have. i struggle with being overwhelmed with everything i have going on in order to better myself.

[@jaredgates4310]

Need to just mandate that all people are paid at least minimum wage and do away with the tipped minimum wage.