Tipping culture and systems need to die off. Sadly, because they often get paid more via tips than they would by increased hourly wages, tipped employees are often against such reforms.
And, to be fair, for most restaurants, it would be really hard for them to pay their wait staff appropriate wages in many cities where rent is extremely high and the cost of the food products they use to create their meals is rising as well. It’s not a simple matter of “the employer should pay their employees’ wages, not the customer.” The industry is built around tipping, and that’s not something that can be changed overnight.
Still, I firmly believe it needs to happen. And if that means increasing the price of restaurant meals, so be it. I suspect people eat out too much these days anyway and should learn to cook themselves. I used to eat out a lot until I did some calculations and realized I was spending way too much on it. Since learning to cook, I’ve saved a lot of money and now prefer my own cooking to a lot of restaurant fare out there (although not the really good stuff—I’m no professional chef).
I think most people would agree with the following: even if you feel the cartoon was in poor taste or was “punching down,” the shooting was a terrorist act that just served to reinforce the worst stereotypes about Muslims and—ironically—the offending cartoon itself.
Opinions can vary about the cartoon, but that’s the point of defending satire and free speech; what’s completely indefensible is violence that clearly isn't in the service of self-defense. People who quibble about the definition of self-defense and even skirt the idea that the terrorists in this incident had a right to do what they did, in my opinion, are likely either sophomoric contrarians or bad faith actors intentionally trying to muddy the waters, akin to some far-right militia members on conservative subreddits.
You don’t know that any social bridges are being burnt. This seems like a big “meh” to me, which would make total sense. Make a big deal about it in writing, while it doesn’t actually cost you that much. Perfect political action: superficially poignant, but ultimately meaningless.
While I agree with his criticism of Israel, I can’t help but note that it’s pretty easy (and therefore meaningless) to give up something you aren’t using. His words matter but giving up his citizenship seems like a hollow sacrifice.
Can someone familiar with SK's legal/judicial system provide some insight into the legality of the warrant issued by the court to arrest him? I know these things can get legally complicated.
I agree. It succeeded as a history lesson, but part of that success was it being boring as fuck.
Felt the same way about Contagion. Very realistic depiction of how a pandemic plays out. And I cared about exactly zero characters and can’t even really remember what happens because it’s narrative was totally un-gripping.
People (including campaigning politicians) can genuinely believe democracy is on the line but refuse to be the one that ends it by refusing to give up power themselves when they fairly lose to their opponent. There is absolutely nothing wrong or illogical about that. If Trump refuses to leave office in four years it will be him ending democracy in the U.S. even though he got there by democratic means. This is usually how dictators get into power; a dumb, frightened populace hands it to them.
They’d both been making public statements of caution for months prior to the election. People didn’t listen, so now we’re here. Biden and Harris are not responsible for this. We are.
I’m from NYC and I can tell you, this headline is in no way an exaggeration. The New York City government is in total freefall. There is no more gravity holding things together. Our court system doesn’t function anymore. Our government is “violently disintegrating,” and innocent bystanders are getting vaporized in the process. There is no rule of law, no functioning governing body; it’s Mad Max out here and New Jersey is clinking champagne glasses while we burn. The movie “The Warriors” is now a documentary.
Tipping culture and systems need to die off. Sadly, because they often get paid more via tips than they would by increased hourly wages, tipped employees are often against such reforms.
And, to be fair, for most restaurants, it would be really hard for them to pay their wait staff appropriate wages in many cities where rent is extremely high and the cost of the food products they use to create their meals is rising as well. It’s not a simple matter of “the employer should pay their employees’ wages, not the customer.” The industry is built around tipping, and that’s not something that can be changed overnight.
Still, I firmly believe it needs to happen. And if that means increasing the price of restaurant meals, so be it. I suspect people eat out too much these days anyway and should learn to cook themselves. I used to eat out a lot until I did some calculations and realized I was spending way too much on it. Since learning to cook, I’ve saved a lot of money and now prefer my own cooking to a lot of restaurant fare out there (although not the really good stuff—I’m no professional chef).