In general, Sonic Customers should not feel obligated to tip Sonic servers

CON's CASEI. Social Norm CON says that because it’s the social norm in western society for customers to tip servers that bring them food, severs at Sonic should be tipped. However, there have been a lot of “social norms” throughout history. For example, a mere 60 years ago, segregated schools was the social norm. Just because something is the “social norm”, that does not make it good. CON is incorrect to claim that Sonic workers “wait on you” as if you are at a typical restaurant. One need look no further than the R1 video to observe what Sonic servers do. That social norms suggest workers at Sonic should be tipped for their “work” is something you should oppose. II. Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers CON says that because Sonic workers are paid less than minimum wage, you are hurting Sonic servers by not tipping them. However, CON’s summary of the law is erroneous. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides that “if an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.” [1] Meaning that Sonic workers are not paid less than minimum wage since employers are required to make up the difference. CON further says that “By not tipping these people you are robbing them . . .” This is absurd. CON’s argument makes the assumption that they are entitled to the money. Clearly they are not or else those who refrained from tipping would be prosecuted for theft. If anyone is robbing the Sonic employees, it is their employers. MY CASE 1. Work CON says that in addition to carrying food around (not all Sonic severs skate), servers also help prepare food, drinks, shakes and help keep the outdoor areas clean. However, both CON’s claims and his source are misleading. First, one should note that there are multiple positions at Sonic. These positions include Cooks and Crew Members.[2] Second, it is the Crew Members' job to prepare the food, drinks, shakes, etc.[3] It is also the Crew Members' job to engage in cleaning [4] Whether the Cars ever assist with these tasks are irrelevant as others do the work they are tipped for. Third, Mcdonalds cashiers are expected to “perform a wide variety of duties” besides working a cash register. [5] Yet social norms don’t demand that they be given “tips.” CON also tries to compare Sonic servers to Applebees servers by claiming that they do “similar work.” This is false. The minimum work expected from a server at Applebees far exceeds the work expected of a Sonic server. [6] Read carefully through the list I provided (see source [6]) and then take another look at the video I provided in R1. Put aside the flashy skating and ask yourself which is more complicated. 2. Benefits CON says that because Olive Garden and Sonic employees receive similar work-benefits, Sonic servers should not be excluded from receiving tips. However, Olive Garden servers do a greater amount of work.[7] Thus, although the benefits Sonic servers receive are sufficient for Sonic servers, the benefits alone are insufficient for Olive Garden servers. See minimum wage rebuttal for "salary issue." 3. Unethical Behavior CON says that my argument regarding racism could be used against ALL tipping. Be that as it may, I am NOT using it against all tipping. I’m using it against tipping at Sonic. One could provide compelling reasons to still tip at higher quality restaurants. However, in the case of Sonic, tipping is a waste of time in terms of the work servers do. If a large percentage of Sonic servers are going to engage in unethical behavior because they don’t receive a tip for the little work they perform in the first place, why bother? SOURCES: [1] http://www.dol.gov... ; [2] http://www.sonicdrivein.com... [3] http://www.azrsi.com... [4] See #3 [5] http://www.ehow.com... [6] http://jobs.lovetoknow.com... [7] See #5.