Business
Tips tight as economy slumps
Los Angeles | May 10, 2008 12:01:13 AM IST
As the economy slumps, service workers report that a largely untracked portion of the economy -- the custom of tipping -- has declined significantly. The testimony is that tips go down in bad times, Cornell School of Hotel Administration professor Michael Lynn told the Los Angeles Times in a report Tuesday. Lynn estimated tips in the United States amount to $30 billion annually. Restaurant consultant Mac Brand said tips account for 30 percent to 60 percent of a wait staffs' wages -- a rate that goes up at fancier restaurants. Wait staff, hair stylists, pet grooming workers and many others rely on tips, the report said. At Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Universal City, Calif, server Brian Best said his tips have declined from $200 to $120 on weekend nights. People just don't have the money. They will go out to eat, but won't tip as much, Best told the Times. (UPI)
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