Reply #98: I've worked minimum wage as a waitress in the 70s earning $1.50 per hour.

[ShortnFiery]

Yeah, minimum wage back then was a whopping $3.00, but the management figured that we were so cute that we could make up the difference in tips. I don't know how they legally pulled it off, but they did. :(

I PERSONALLY know what it's like to struggle to survive on LESS than Minimum Wage. Further if it wasn't for my father keeping his battlefield commission during WWII, I'd probably be married to a dairy farmer getting up to milk cows at 4AM instead of honorable serving in the Army and later using the Veterans' benefits to earn an advanced degree.

HRC has not ever earned minimum wage. Why? Because those of us who have and have come through the experience with true compassion and empathy for those who struggle, KNOW that seeing a thoughtful and adequate tip on OUR table as soon as our the customer leaves, is OFTEN a beautiful bright spot to an otherwise *thankless job.*