What's a living wage?

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  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,598

    McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

    I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
    They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
    sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
    Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
    I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.


    But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.
    Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
    Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
    And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

    I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
    They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
    sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
    Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
    I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.


    But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.
    Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
    Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
    And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?
    I'm hearing you, man. I was playing along.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,598

    McDonalds vs. Dunkin Doughnuts vs. Starbucks

    I go to McDonalds and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Dunkin and ask for a coffee.
    They ask me if I want cream and sugar, and then prepare my coffee

    I go to Starbucks and ask for coffee.
    They look at me real weird, because I DID NOT ask for a mocha, frappe, Latte,
    sprinkled with nut meg and brussel sprouts.
    Then they tell me to get my own cream and sugar.
    I look at their little tip jar they have sitting on the counter, and just laugh.


    But at least you got to listen to jazz music and absorb pastel colors. And the cups are way cooler too. You're really hip in Starbucks. You just can't put a price on that.
    Every single time I have ever walked into a Starbucks they treat me like I am an alien.
    Seriously, I just want a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
    And since I am paying $3 for that cup of coffee, I would appreciate if the guy/gal behind that counter asked me if I wanted cream and sugar, and then prepared my drink. But since I have to put in my own cream and sugar, am I also allowed to take $0.50 from their tip jar?
    I'm hearing you, man. I was playing along.
    If the people at McDonalds had a tip jar sitting at the counter, I would probably laugh my ass off for 3 days.
    But the people at Starbucks are allowed a tip jar?
    Yet they cant put cream and sugar in my coffee?

    Though if I ask for a Frappe, mocha, latte, sprinkled with shredded brussel sprouts, blue cheese, and turnips? They run around that counter, and start up every machine they possibly can, while preparing my drink?

    I don't get it.
    Put the damned cream and sugar in my coffee!

    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • I get a little irritated with the incessant prompts for tips at every take out place. We may have lost sight of what 'service' actually is.

    I leave tips everywhere, but I'm not sure why? I pick up pizza... I leave a tip. I buy tacos... I leave a tip. I buy a coffee at Starbucks... I leave a tip.

    I feel like I'm helping by doing so, but in reality... I'm subsidizing insufficient wages. The employer can sell their minimum wage job easier to people on the backs of people like me. So... I can refrain from giving tips and maybe an employer will eventually pay more their workers more... or maybe the worker behind the counter just has less at the end of the day with no tips and no wage increase.

    * By getting to put your own cream and sugar in your coffee... you get to go to the little station where some freaking idiot can spill his whipped up concoction on you as you are headed to a shirt and tie affair. This happens to guys... trust me.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487

    unsung said:

    Yesterday I went to mcdonalds for the first time in over a year at 0500 for a coffee because Starbucks wasn't open yet. I waited at the window for about three minutes and then when this worker was walking to the window she did one of those wipe the nose with her sleeve from wrist to elbow moves, handed me the coffee, and closed the window. No thank you, no have a good day, not a word.

    The only thing $15/hr will get her is unemployment.

    Maybe so but you do realize that Starbucks pays their part time employees $10.00 per hour + and offers them health insurance, right? Maybe that's why you get a smile and proper personal hygiene habits and go there? Unless you're a coffee snob? I wonder why the unemployment rate for college grads is 3% or better?

    Peace

    Did you just attempt to justify a health code violation and somebody's rudeness because of their pay scale? Maybe they should quit and go work at starbucks instead? Or maybe they just aren't up to starbucks standards.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

    On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,598
    brianlux said:

    Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

    On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

    Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
    Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

    And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
    Its called convenience.

    I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
    Like I need another .....

    Ya know?
    Now that I think about it.
    I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051

    brianlux said:

    Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

    On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

    Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
    Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

    And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
    Its called convenience.

    I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
    Like I need another .....

    Ya know?
    Now that I think about it.
    I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

    Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

    Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,598
    brianlux said:

    brianlux said:

    Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

    On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

    Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
    Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

    And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
    Its called convenience.

    I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
    Like I need another .....

    Ya know?
    Now that I think about it.
    I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

    Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

    Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

    The Chicago area needs another coffee shop...
    Like I need another...



    :))

    Seriously, I just wouldn't, couldn't and will probably never find the time to actually sit in a coffee house and enjoy a cup of coffee.

    Ill put that on my "To Do" list, when I retire.

    :)>-
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • rival.rival. Posts: 7,775
    brianlux said:


    Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

    any independent coffee shop here in chicago charges a premium for their items. easily $4 for a cup at those joints sadly.

    i am okay with my $1 cup of coffee every morning from mcdonalds. won't touch their food but i do think their coffee is half way decent IMO. i prefer it over a starbucks coffee anyday.
  • Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 39,048
    unsung said:

    unsung said:

    Yesterday I went to mcdonalds for the first time in over a year at 0500 for a coffee because Starbucks wasn't open yet. I waited at the window for about three minutes and then when this worker was walking to the window she did one of those wipe the nose with her sleeve from wrist to elbow moves, handed me the coffee, and closed the window. No thank you, no have a good day, not a word.

    The only thing $15/hr will get her is unemployment.

    Maybe so but you do realize that Starbucks pays their part time employees $10.00 per hour + and offers them health insurance, right? Maybe that's why you get a smile and proper personal hygiene habits and go there? Unless you're a coffee snob? I wonder why the unemployment rate for college grads is 3% or better?

    Peace

    Did you just attempt to justify a health code violation and somebody's rudeness because of their pay scale? Maybe they should quit and go work at starbucks instead? Or maybe they just aren't up to starbucks standards.
    Yea,sure. More like you get what you pay for.

    Peace.
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

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  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487
    Or they're paid what they are worth.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051

    brianlux said:

    brianlux said:

    Most days I make my own coffee- an ancient art lost to most people these days. For a mere $125 per hour I will give anyone coffee making lessons. Most lessons are only take a few minutes of your time but you still pay only $125. Win/Win! :-)

    On those days when I indulge in buying coffee out I go to one of our local independent coffee shops. It intrigues me that people go to places like Starfucks or Dunkin' Doughboys or McDodos when they could go to an independent and have better coffee and support local small businesses.

    Im thinking most of us adults are fully aware how to make a pot of coffee.
    Some of us have done it every day for 30+ years.

    And its really not all that intriguing as to why people go to Starbucks, McDoodles and Dunky D's
    Its called convenience.

    I need to go sit in an independent coffee house and pay $4 for coffee.
    Like I need another .....

    Ya know?
    Now that I think about it.
    I have NEVER sat in a coffee house(unless you consider I-Hop or Denny's a coffee house)

    Of course we all know how to make coffee. Sorry- my sense of humor must be roasted today.

    Four dollars for coffee?? Speedy, your town needs a new independent coffee shop!!

    The Chicago area needs another coffee shop...
    Like I need another...



    :))

    Seriously, I just wouldn't, couldn't and will probably never find the time to actually sit in a coffee house and enjoy a cup of coffee.

    Ill put that on my "To Do" list, when I retire.

    :)>-
    Well I think some day I'm gonna have to make a trip to Chicago to:

    A) Go see the Art Institute of Chicago

    B) Ride the El and

    C) Buy my first cuppa Four Buck Coffee!

    And if I ever do get out that way Speedy, I'll buy you a 4 buck cup o' Joe too. :-)

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • oceaninmyeyesoceaninmyeyes Posts: 4,646
    image

    and for the coffee drinkers
    image
    And the sun it may be shining . . . but there's an ocean in my eyes
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,957
    edited May 2014
    Completely depends on the location. A living wage in Vancouver is at least triple what it is in most other places in North America (meanwhile we lag behind in average salaries and minimum wage - sucks to be us).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,957
    unsung said:

    Let's be honest, corporate fat cats are going to get their cut no matter what. It's irrelevant if their minions make $5/hr or $50/hr, they won't suffer.

    Yes I do believe that someone that has invested in themselves should earn more than someone who is 40 and flips burgers part time. I don't think of them as lesser humans, but they don't have skills, and their pay directly reflects that.

    If Walmart offered $1/hr would people work there?

    If Walmart offered $5/hr would people work there?

    So Walmart offers $8/hr (fed min wage iirc) and the jobs fill.

    But why? Why does $8 get what $5 can't? Because that's what they can get away with by law. People take those jobs because they know that's all that has to be offered. But I'm asking what if. What if there were no min wage? I think we can agree that nobody would work for $1/hr. What if people held out together for $10/hr? Guess what, Walmart would be forced to pay it. The way it works now all they have to do is offer the min and say take it or leave it.

    If there were no min wage the employees would have the bargaining chip because they could hold out for better pay. With the min wage the company has the power, and feels that's all they have to offer. The market works better for the worker when the worker is holding the cards.

    That has already been tried by Walmart employees. It's why Walmart is one of the biggest union busters in the world. They'd rather close a store than allow the employees to demand decent wages and benefits by striking.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487

    image

    and for the coffee drinkers
    image

    I know a corporate executive of a Fortune 100 company that started there as a janitor.

    Maybe these people could apply themselves more to get a better position instead of just bitching about how much the boss makes.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051
    Ah yes, the old Horacio Alger success story. :-\"

    Too bad it doesn't work that way 99.9% of the time. That's ok though, I have a very good friend who believes that fairy tale to be the gospel truth. Would it be nice. :-)
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487
    I'm just saying it's possible. Instead of complaining about things he chose to work hard and put his time him.

    He never went to college either.
  • blueandwhiteblueandwhite Posts: 662
    unsung said:

    I'm just saying it's possible. Instead of complaining about things he chose to work hard and put his time him.

    He never went to college either.

    Winning the lottery is also possible and just as improbable. There are hardworking people who struggle throughout their adult lives, just as there are people who have fortune fall in their lap at every turn. I will never begrudge somebody who works hard for earning enough money to put food on the table or pay the rent. The idea that we should continue to scrape away the wages of the working poor doesn't sit right with me.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,051

    unsung said:

    I'm just saying it's possible. Instead of complaining about things he chose to work hard and put his time him.

    He never went to college either.

    Winning the lottery is also possible and just as improbable. There are hardworking people who struggle throughout their adult lives, just as there are people who have fortune fall in their lap at every turn. I will never begrudge somebody who works hard for earning enough money to put food on the table or pay the rent. The idea that we should continue to scrape away the wages of the working poor doesn't sit right with me.
    Well said, blueandwhite.

    And sorry, unsung- I do enjoy a good story now and then about the underdog making his or her way to the top. We watched the movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played" which is about 20-year-old Francis Ouimet winning the the 1913 US Open. (Very good movie even though I have big issues with golf here in the west- chemicals dumped on the land, water shortages, etc.- but that's another thread). Ouimet came from a poor family and until that event, poor people were not allowed to compete in it. It's an inspiring story and a good reminder to work hard and strive for one's best. But it's also a bit of a fluke as are all Horacio Alger type stories. Even though Ouimet worked hard and deserved where he got to he also had some very fortunate breaks. For every success story like this there are thousands of others in which people don't get breaks and can't fight their way out and many of these people are slaving away at jobs where they don't make enough money to live decently. I know I've said this before but I really do recommend reading Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed. It explains what I'm trying to say in great detail.

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,957
    edited May 2014
    unsung said:

    image

    and for the coffee drinkers
    image

    I know a corporate executive of a Fortune 100 company that started there as a janitor.

    Maybe these people could apply themselves more to get a better position instead of just bitching about how much the boss makes.
    What a load of shit. What, do you think that everyone who applied themselves can become powerful millionaires??? There aren't that many positions like that to go around, FYI.
    Sorry, but this bullshit elitist attitude about people's worth to society and their assumed failure if they're not rich and powerful really pisses me off. It's so ridiculously mindless.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487
    What's mindless is believing a dishwasher or fry guy deserves $15/hr.
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 Posts: 23,303
    unsung said:

    image

    and for the coffee drinkers
    image

    I know a corporate executive of a Fortune 100 company that started there as a janitor.

    Maybe these people could apply themselves more to get a better position instead of just bitching about how much the boss makes.
    you know the EXCEPTION to the rule. period.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 Posts: 23,303
    unsung said:

    What's mindless is believing a dishwasher or fry guy deserves $15/hr.

    does he deserve any less than the guy who mans the grill at in and our burger, who start out at $11 an hour??
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 Posts: 23,303
    PJ_Soul said:

    unsung said:

    image

    and for the coffee drinkers
    image

    I know a corporate executive of a Fortune 100 company that started there as a janitor.

    Maybe these people could apply themselves more to get a better position instead of just bitching about how much the boss makes.
    What a load of shit. What, do you think that everyone who applied themselves can become powerful millionaires??? There aren't that many positions like that to go around, FYI.
    Sorry, but this bullshit elitist attitude about people's worth to society and their assumed failure if they're not rich and powerful really pisses me off. It's so ridiculously mindless.
    you should not be upset. these are the same people who feel that certain laws do not apply to them, and that they abide only by the ones that they agree with. see cliven bundy and those that support him.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • unsungunsung Posts: 9,487

    unsung said:

    What's mindless is believing a dishwasher or fry guy deserves $15/hr.

    does he deserve any less than the guy who mans the grill at in and our burger, who start out at $11 an hour??

    It isn't about deserving.

    What's stopping them from working for In and Out? Not much.
  • Unsung...

    Seriously, man.

    Do you actually have a problem with having a more equitable system where fat cats do not sit on mounds of wealth while so many toil for so little?

    Instead of making $17.6 million a year... how about a guy makes $2 million a year? Would that be so tragic?

    Your janitor reference is enough to placate some people with ideas of the 'American Dream', but in reality... it's so far from the truth that suggesting it is ridiculous.

    Have a little more compassion for those not born into privilege because, my friend, that is the reality.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
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