I love what I do, and thats why I do it. However, in the world we live in, I'm starting to think things are a little off kilter.
In every cafe I've worked, tips are split equally at the end of a shift. If I understand the laws correctly, tips must be reported. This is unfortunate, in my opinion, if you fall into a certian tax brackets... Essentially because of where I am in life (not married, not in school, no dependents...) I get taxed $.90 for every dollar I get tiped. So if I make $20 in tips in a shift, 18 will be withdrawn from my check, leaving me with 2 dollars.
2 dollars is better than no dollars, but if your depending on these tips to live, things get a little rough.
I know what we do (at least here in the states) is not always seen as a respectable job. Although I have dedicated the last 4 years of my life to this industry, I still seem to come out under the gun. I have done extensive cupping training, trained baristas, visited orgin and worked on a farm, roasted, and taught classes, and I still make less than a brand new SBUX employee. I'm not saying this in any offense to shop owners or managers who must make certian sacrafices to greater benifit the company, because I have been in your shoes where the bottom line must be met.
I realize that the money is simply not there to go around, but how about some respect? I get so much effing shi* every day for being an unproductive member of society, a "college dropout", but ask me how Rui Rui 11 has economically failed Kenya or why the trade situation in El Salvador has benifited from COE competitons and I'll tell you straight. I'll even write you a report.
Here I must say that I greatly respect the farmers who continue to bless us with amazing coffee each year, even when the economy isn't in their favor.
Where do you draw the line between what you love and how you live? If any other Baristas have felt this, speak up!
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