I am not a waitress, but I do know many of them and think of them as friends.

Through my friendships, I have acquired knowledge that the general public may not have. For instance, in Maine and most states (except Alaska and California) the minimum wage for waitstaff is much lower than the state’s usual minimum hourly wage. In Maine, the minimum for waitstaff is currently around $3.15, less than half the standard minimum wage for non-waitstaff jobs.

Tipping is generally recommended to be 15 to 20 percent of the total tab, prior to taxes. Therefore, a tab of $30 should generate a tip of $4.50 to $6 (more, if the service was excellent).

I was recently at a local steakhouse and witnessed a group of five adults whose tab was considerably more than $30 leave a $3 tip. In addition, they left their table a mess.

Does it sound fair for anyone to wait on five people for an hour or more, then be left with a mess to clean up and only a $3 tip?

People should have a heart – tip the waitstaff appropriately and not leave a mess.

Claire Flint, Lewiston