It has come to my attention that a lot of servers rely on tips to make or break their paychecks.  However, this is fundamentally wrong, as the employer should be the one ensuring that their employees’ needs are met, and tips should be courteous. The system that we have in place, not only leads to the needs of some servers not being met, but it also leads to the spread of “poor-shaming” beliefs. For example, I know many servers that believe that if someone is unable to afford to tip, that they should not be able to eat out at all. I’ve personally seen it lead to hatred against those who are unable to afford tipping. I believe that this anger and hatred is misguided.  We should not be angry at those who are trying to enjoy a simple pleasure, but truly cannot afford to pay for their server’s paycheck. Instead, we should be angry at the employers for creating and continuing the use of this system.  Many employers use tipping as a way to avoid paying their own employees, meaning more money in their own pockets. I’m aware that it is a common belief that if server wages are raised, that food prices will go up to accommodate. However, it does not have to be this way. The markup on commodities is high enough already to compensate for the servers raised wages, and employers will still make plenty enough money to provide financial success and personal financial comfort. Realizing this, debating it, and spreading awareness is just the beginning of the solution. It doesn’t change the fact that servers still rely on tips, people are still shamed for not being able to provide them, and that employers will most likely not change anything solely based on public opinion. To make this change, for the betterment of us all, we need to take action. Therefore I am asking all those that can, to become aware of which restaurants pay fair wages to their servers, and to boycott the ones that do not.  I know that if everyone were to just boycott a restaurant, that it might end up affecting the wrong people (the servers and workers). Therefore I believe that the solution to this, is that instead of just simply boycotting the restaurant, we should also speak personally to the managers/ owners about why we are boycotting their company, and then we should leave a tip, to be given directly to the servers/workers. This way, the workers and servers will still be able to have an income, without the employers profiting off of it, and it will send a clear  message to the employers concerning the change that we are demanding.  This may be difficult, and it may take a lot of participation, from many different people, but I truly believe that if all those who are able try to participate, that we can make a real change in our work industry. If you are unable to support in this way, spreading awareness of this project would be another great way to help the cause. Thank you for taking the time to read my petition for change. I’m hopeful and optimistic that together, we can change the history of our work force in the very near future.