We often forget how difficult customers can be with their excessive demands and their attitudes. Most wait staff work extremely hard to offer upstanding service to their customers, in the hopes that they will be compensated appropriately through their tip. But, this is not always the case.

Laura Boddy works as a waitress. She posted her bi-weekly check online to show people how little restaurant servers earn and how much they depend on tips to survive. After working for two weeks and putting in 76 hours, Boddy walked away with $1.70 after taxes.

Boddy joked that she usually ends up with a zero paycheck, so this is a step up. Not only is the hourly rate for servers very low, after they pay taxes and any withholdings, they take home close to nothing. This is why, Boddy explains, that it is important to realize that servers depend on tips to supplement their income.

Boddy feels like many customers are not aware of how servers make their living. Their paycheck is very minimal to cover taxes. It is by tips that they earn their living wage.

There are many instances where customers have received fine service but still do not tip sufficiently. Your wait staff should be tipped between 15-20% of the total bill. Many people do not leave close to this amount. Yes, the wait staff is there to serve you. So, if they do their job, it is your responsibility to compensate them for that service.

Boddy is quick to point out that many servers are making more than minimum wage, when tipped accordingly. However, at any given moment their salary can decrease if they end up serving customers who do not tip or who tip poorly. Boddy asks that you take this into consideration the next time you eat out and the bill comes to your table. How much you leave your server could have a direct impact on their livelihood.