While the one percent (and many others) have it easy, the rest of us are at the grindstone, trying to make ends meet. Consider this woman who shared her earnings on TikTok. In the video, she shows that she’s worked 70 + hours in one week as a service worker, only to make under $10 in a paycheck.
While she mentioned that did earn tips on top of that, she showed how taxes completely drain you of any earnings — reiterating just how important tips are for service workerss.
TikToker and Austin native Aaliyah Cortez shares in a video, her gross hours coming in at 70.80 for the pay period…
But after taxes, only getting paid $9.28
@f.aa.ded PSA #psa #fyp #foryou #bartender #server #work #tips #chooseone #CleanFreshHype #photography101 #hardwork #viral
And, yes, it’s normal and legal for people to make just about $2.13 per hour.
In fact, according to the Department of Labor, many, many people throughout the United States are paid just $2.13 per hour before tips. It’s a scary reality that shows just how hard it is for people to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.”
2.13 for 70 hours????? 😬😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/yN9I9Uxi8w
— Nesu🇿🇼 (@iam_Nesu) February 11, 2020
Obviously, people were quick to comment. And not everyone had nice things to say. Some were quick to denounce the idea of making $2.13 per hour, while others pointed out that service workers are paid less because they are expected to make more than minimum wage once tips are taken into consideration.
It’s the customer’s choice to tip. Tipping is a privilege not a necessity.
— (@chocdolljaniya) February 11, 2020
She strategically placed her finger on them cash tips that said 700+, which I know plenty of people who don’t make that in two weeks. Yes we should tip… But sis should’ve been truthful, the reason they took so much is because you made over 850+ total.
— Jerome Trammel (@JeromeTrammelTV)
Hold on. Americans pay tax on tips?!?!?!. I love Canada 🇨🇦 I
— Mikey (@MrHoneyTongue) February 11, 2020
me reminiscing on being a server, depending on tips to survive, living paycheck to paycheck, and using happy hour as a coping mechanism pic.twitter.com/fAydVbZsTs
— CIARA 🧘🏽♀️ (@yungpolish) April 4, 2020
This person asked a GOOD question:
How tf is she only getting 2.13 an hour isnt the federal minimum wage like $7??
— BreeBree (@BreezyBSaid) February 12, 2020
The answer? Tipped employees make WAY less than minimum wage (which is paltry):
Not for people who get tips. pic.twitter.com/WkQpef9UWe
— NFLtaxFacts (@LtaxNf) February 12, 2020
My checks always said “void” when I was a server. A $9 check is a big check for a server/bartender. The worst part is the taxes you gotta pay every year.
— Ms. Ann (@JamaicanTang) February 11, 2020
And while it’s easy to say that a person shouldn’t take a certain job, not everyone has the privilege of being very choosey.
Working 70 hours to get paid a tenner 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
— sabs 🚩 (@sxbvna) February 10, 2020
these replies are exactly the problem.
y’all love blaming minimum wage workers instead of the REAL PROBLEM ⚠️
— kimberly (@litasadiamond) February 11, 2020
Of course, the retorts were on point:
Hey American here
Soooooooo no one is supposed to be a waitress? Also we kinda going through a recession so depending on where you at it’s VERY hard to find a job. Even with a bachelors degree in a lot of states you not getting paid more than $30,000 a year.
— Jazzingitup (@jazminconcepci4) February 11, 2020
Tips are just to make sure you make minimum, if you don’t make minimum it’s on you to talk with your boss so that they ensure you’re paid enough. People need to stop complaining on Twitter and start complaining to their managers… pic.twitter.com/srLynNhAOQ
— MY (@mayasandapapaya) February 11, 2020
One Twitter user pointed out how much she made in tips ($700) in a 70-hour workweek. That comes down to $10 per hour, working 30 more hours than the normal person. That’s still pretty rough.
She made $708 in tips, while I’m saying that ya $2.13 is unbelievably low, I live in CA make $14 p/h as a Veterinary assistant and she still makes more than me in tips than I do in 2 weeks as a part time worker my check is about 500-600 at the most after everything is taken out pic.twitter.com/UAhcwjgReT
— joevanni molleda (@JoeMolleda321) February 11, 2020
And this, of course, is an entirely separate conversation altogether. One that the service workers shouldn’t have to solve.
Everyone saying it’s her fault for working that type of job but someone has to serve and bartend….if all of them chose higher paying career choices, where would that leave us when we go out to eat ?
— Charbear🌙 (@charityxhope) February 11, 2020
this is all sad and i blame employers. but again, stop forcing “tipping” on us.
— Bébé (@ItsSaabyra) February 11, 2020
It’s the customer’s choice to tip. Tipping is a privilege not a necessity.
— (@chocdolljaniya) February 11, 2020
imagine blaming the people that need work instead of the system that’s set up to exploit them
— bury me in a Gerrit Cole jersey (@jiheyla) February 11, 2020
Wild how she accepted a job that pays $2 an hour, but you guys are still blaming customers for not tipping and not employers for paying you $2 an hour.
— Olaromola🇳🇬 (@abike1999) February 11, 2020
In California we get the $13 minimum wage plus our tips. Stop voting in representatives who don’t have your best interests at heart.
— idiot Shinji (@DaavidRoman) February 11, 2020
In the end, we need to stop fighting each other and start pressuring employers and the government to offer liveable wages. Poverty is real. And judging people for taking a low-paying job will never fix the system.