Be Kind To Food Servers Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Be Kind To Food Servers Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Be Kind To Food Servers Month is observed on January 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Be Kind To Food Servers Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you should know about Be Kind To Food Servers Month.

📅 What day is Be Kind To Food Servers Month 2024?

In 2024, Be Kind To Food Servers Month is on Sunday, January 1st. It is the 1st Sunday in January; in 2024, it is Monday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the exciting details and facts about January 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

In January, we celebrate Be Kind To Food Servers Month, which aims to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of those in the food service industry. It is interesting to note that tipping originated in the late 1800s when affluent Americans who had visited Europe introduced the practice. Initially, tipping was meant to ensure excellent service, but over time, it has become the primary way to show compassion and gratitude. This has sparked a significant debate, as many waiters and waitresses are dissatisfied with their wages, which heavily rely on tips. The creation of Be Kind To Food Servers Month aims to shed light on the salary disparities and encourage customers to be more generous in their tipping practices.

📜 Be Kind To Food Servers Month History

In the 1850s and 1860s, wealthy individuals started tipping at meals and restaurants to show off their social status. This practice initially sparked outrage and was seen as arrogant, discriminatory, and not in line with American values. The anti-tipping movement spread throughout Europe, inspiring labor groups that successfully ended the practice in many countries.

However, in America, the anti-tipping campaign did not gain much support, and with the passage of the 13th Amendment during the Civil War, the cause lost its momentum. Despite the abolition of slavery, businesses continued to exploit black people by not paying them adequately and forcing them to rely on tips.

Although tipping became more widespread, people’s negative attitudes towards it, especially in the southern states, persisted. For a period, six southern states, including Iowa and Georgia, even made tipping illegal. However, by 1926, the Supreme Courts of these states had either overturned or declared these laws illegal.

In 1938, tipping was incorporated into the New Deal as a way to fulfill the federal minimum wage requirement for tipped workers. Later, in 1966, this was modified, resulting in the current minimum pay of $2.13 for tipped employees. Nonetheless, seven states in the United States mandate that all workers must receive the full state minimum wage before tips.

✅ Be Kind To Food Servers Month Facts

🔖 The Northeast has the best tippers
On average, people in the Northeastern states give a 17% tip when consuming media.

🔖 Republicans tip more than Democrats
Based on a survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research in 2017, it was found that a higher percentage of Republicans (59%) tend to give tips exceeding 15% compared to Democrats (46%).

🔖 Women tip higher than men
Based on a survey conducted in 2018, the average gratuity left by women was found to be 20%, while men left a median gratuity of 16%.

👍 Why Is Be Kind To Food Servers Month Important

If you’ve heard of the “tipped wage,” you’re aware that servers and bartenders are paid less than the minimum hourly wage and must compensate with tips. As a result, these professionals rely on your tips to pay their bills, send their children to school, and eat. Remember this the next time you go out to lunch and leave a large tip.

Servers work hard behind the scenes to ensure that you receive great service. Aside from learning the preferences of various customers, they must be quick on their feet, deal with kitchen tension, and maintain a cheerful demeanor at all times, regardless of the situation.

Tipping is not only beneficial to servers; it is also beneficial to you. Tipping makes you feel happy and satisfied that you have contributed to the happiness of another individual.

🙂 How To Observe Be Kind To Food Servers Month

⚡ Be kind
If you’re unable to buy them a gift or give a bigger tip, you can still express your gratitude by treating them with kindness and empathy whenever they serve you. This can involve politely making requests or showing interest in their well-being, such as asking about their family, health, or any significant events happening in their life.

⚡ Tip higher than the standard 15%
Showing gratitude towards servers by tipping more than the standard 15% is a wonderful way to express respect and admiration for their hard work. Let’s make this month extra special for our favorite restaurant’s waitstaff by going above and beyond in showing our appreciation for their dedication.

⚡ Give a gift to your favorite food server
During Be Kind to Food Servers Month, if you can’t give a bigger tip, you have the option to give a gift to your favorite food server instead. The gift can be anything you believe they would appreciate. If you have a close relationship with the server, you might even consider getting a present for their children.

📅 When is Be Kind To Food Servers Month?

Explore all 🔗 January holidays, including 🔗 and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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