The present term paper is about the image of American waitresses and how it has changed within the past centuries. Waitresses in the United States do not have the best reputation. They earn less than minimum wage and are considered as not so smart. What is the reason for this disdainful treatment of women working as servers and why is it considered as a mostly female occupation?
Eating is one of the basic requirements humans have. According to Maslow’s pyramid of needs, eating is one of the physical needs everybody has besides breathing, drinking, warmth and rest. Why is such a regular and natural thing like eating regarded as a social event? Why is dining in a high-class restaurant considered as a status symbol and why are mostly men serving in such places and not women? What are the psychological, historical and cultural reasons that modulated the image society has of waitresses today?
During my research I will resort to secondary literature and field reports of waitresses in America, to invest the phenomenon of waiting tables in the United States.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 History of the Waitressing in the USA
- 3 Waitresses in the USA - Minimum Wage and no need for Qualifications
- 4 The Fascination of the Tip
- 5 Waitressing - Serving the General Needs
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper investigates the historical and societal factors that have shaped the image of waitresses in American culture. It aims to understand why waitressing is predominantly a female occupation, the reasons behind the low wages and lack of required qualifications, and the role of tipping in this context.
- The historical evolution of the waitress profession in the USA.
- The socio-economic conditions of waitresses, including low wages and lack of skill requirements.
- The cultural significance of tipping and its impact on waitresses' income and social perception.
- The gendered nature of the profession and its relation to societal expectations of women.
- The paradoxical nature of waitressing: a fundamental human need (eating) connected to social events and status symbols.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by exploring the social aspect of dining out, contrasting the customer's experience with the daily routine of restaurant employees, particularly waitresses. It highlights the negative perception of waitresses in the US, characterized by low wages and a lack of respect, and poses key questions about the historical, psychological, and cultural reasons behind this perception. The chapter establishes the research methodology, focusing on secondary literature and field reports to analyze the phenomenon of waitressing in the United States.
2 History of the Waitressing in the USA: This chapter traces the history of waitressing in the USA, beginning with its early origins in taverns and inns. It contrasts the roles of women in northern and southern establishments during the colonial period, noting the early association of waitresses with taverns, which often had negative social connotations. The chapter highlights the establishment of Delmonico's, the country's first restaurant, in 1827, and the subsequent role of Fred Harvey in employing women as servers in his Harvey Houses. It underscores the evolution of the term "waitress" and the changing nature of the work itself, from simply placing food on tables to providing more comprehensive service.
3 Waitresses in the USA - Minimum Wage and no need for Qualifications: This chapter focuses on the low wages and lack of required qualifications for waitresses in the US. It uses the experiences of Frances Donovan, an undercover waitress, to illustrate the ease of obtaining a job but the difficulty of maintaining it. The chapter highlights a 1912 report that emphasizes the lack of skill as the primary reason women chose waitressing, reinforcing the perception of it as a low-skill occupation. Further, it provides statistical data illustrating the significant number of women working as waitresses, particularly part-time, and earning less than the minimum wage, creating serious financial challenges, especially for female-headed families.
4 The Fascination of the Tip: This chapter delves into the unique compensation system of tipping in the US restaurant industry. It discusses how tips are the primary source of income for waitresses, leading to the stereotypical image of the struggling waitress. The chapter explains the standard tipping practice of 15% and how it can be manipulated by waitresses through various techniques to influence the customer's generosity. However, it also acknowledges that factors outside the waitresses' control, such as customer mood or weather, influence tipping behavior. The chapter concludes by examining the practice of employing mostly male waiters in high-end restaurants, connecting this to the desire to avoid associating the establishment with the stereotypical image of the female waitress.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Waitresses, American culture, gender roles, minimum wage, tipping, restaurant industry, social history, occupational segregation, economic inequality, sociological analysis.
FAQ: Research Paper on Waitresses in the USA
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper investigates the historical and societal factors shaping the image of waitresses in American culture. It focuses on why waitressing is predominantly a female occupation, the reasons behind low wages and lack of required qualifications, and the role of tipping in this context.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the historical evolution of waitressing in the USA, the socio-economic conditions of waitresses (low wages, lack of skill requirements), the cultural significance of tipping and its impact, the gendered nature of the profession, and the paradoxical nature of waitressing as a fundamental human need connected to social events and status symbols.
What is the scope of the research methodology?
The research methodology focuses on secondary literature and field reports to analyze the phenomenon of waitressing in the United States.
What does the paper reveal about the history of waitressing in the USA?
The paper traces the history of waitressing from its origins in taverns and inns, contrasting the roles of women in different regions during the colonial period. It highlights the establishment of early restaurants and the role of figures like Fred Harvey in employing women as servers. The evolution of the term "waitress" and the changing nature of the work itself are also examined.
What are the key findings regarding wages and qualifications for waitresses?
The paper reveals that waitresses in the US historically have faced low wages and a lack of required qualifications. It uses examples to illustrate the ease of obtaining a job but the difficulty of maintaining it due to low pay and challenging working conditions. Statistical data highlights the significant number of women working as waitresses, often part-time and earning less than minimum wage.
What role does tipping play in the context of waitressing?
The paper examines the unique compensation system of tipping, showing how tips are the primary income source for waitresses. It discusses the standard tipping practice, how waitresses may try to influence tips, and how factors outside their control affect tipping behavior. The paper also notes the tendency to employ mostly male waiters in high-end restaurants, connecting this to avoiding the stereotypical image of the female waitress.
What are the key takeaways regarding gender and the waitressing profession?
The research highlights the gendered nature of the profession and its relation to societal expectations of women. The predominantly female workforce and the low status associated with the job are analyzed within the broader context of gender roles and occupational segregation.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
Keywords include: Waitresses, American culture, gender roles, minimum wage, tipping, restaurant industry, social history, occupational segregation, economic inequality, sociological analysis.
What chapters are included in the research paper?
The paper includes chapters on: Introduction, History of Waitressing in the USA, Waitresses in the USA - Minimum Wage and no need for Qualifications, The Fascination of the Tip, and a concluding chapter summarizing the findings.
- Quote paper
- Julia Merten (Author), 2014, Waitresses in American Culture. How Has the Image of the American Waitress Changed Over the Centuries?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/375458
