Would you work over 70 hours for just $9? That’s the harsh reality for Aaliyah Cortez, a mom from Texas who shared her shocking paycheck on TikTok to shed light on the struggles of the service industry. Her paycheck, after deductions, amounted to just $9.28—proof of how much tipped workers depend on customers’ generosity to survive.
Aaliyah, a bartender and server at a local sports bar, earns a base hourly rate of $2.13. While tips can sometimes make up the difference, her paycheck revealed the stark reality many service workers face. After taxes, social security, and Medicare deductions, there wasn’t much left to show for her hard work.
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“There are laws that allow tipped employees to be paid under the federal minimum wage,” Aaliyah explained to BuzzFeed. “This makes us rely on customers to pay our wages. It’s not fair, but it’s the reality of this industry.”
In her TikTok video, she candidly shares how inconsistent tips make life unpredictable. “On good weeks, my paycheck might be lower because tips cover more. At my last job, my checks were often $0. It’s frustrating because no one should have to depend on tips to make a living.”
Aaliyah’s video sparked a heated debate online. Some viewers empathized with her, while others criticized the idea of tipping as an obligation. One commenter argued, “I tip my servers well, but tips are optional, not something you should expect. If you don’t like the pay, don’t be a server.”
On the other side, supporters like one former restaurant worker defended her: “I spent 20 years in this industry. Unless you’ve been in our shoes, you don’t understand how much we rely on tips. It’s not fair to judge.”
Aaliyah’s story underscores a larger issue: the need for fair and consistent wages in the service industry. While tipping is a personal choice, it’s clear that many workers like her are left vulnerable by a broken system.
What do you think? Should tipping be the solution, or is it time to change how service workers are paid? Share your thoughts—and this story—with friends to keep the conversation going.
