Working as a waiter or waitress in the restaurant industry comes with its own set of challenges, from dealing with difficult customers to low pay. One of the biggest issues faced by servers is the reliance on tips to supplement their income, as many states allow restaurant owners to pay them less than the federal minimum wage.

In 21 states, servers are paid as little as $2.13 an hour before tips, leading to financial instability for many workers. A significant portion of waitstaff, nearly 15% of the nation’s 2.4 million, live in poverty and are more likely to require public assistance. Additionally, they often lack benefits such as paid sick leave or health insurance.

Despite their hard work, servers can encounter customers who are rude or choose not to tip appropriately. This was the case for Taylar Cordova, a waitress who received no tip on a bill totaling $187.43, which would have amounted to a standard tip of $28.11. Frustrated by the disrespectful treatment, Cordova shared the bill online to raise awareness of the challenges faced by restaurant workers.

Her post received widespread attention, with over 12,000 shares, highlighting the need for greater respect and appreciation for the hard work of waitstaff in the restaurant industry.