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.

The caption read:

‘“This. This is the reason I work so much. This is why I cry in the shower. I STRUGGLE to put clothes on my daughter’s back and food in our bellies because of THIS. You, are the lowest of the low. Whenever you feel like it’s probably fine to not tip your server, that’s one more bill stacking up because they’re short on money. This is food for the week that our families will go without because you didn’t think it was necessary, even after asking for everything under the sun and receiving it free of charge, mind you. This is one less basic necessity my daughter needs because even TWO more dollars is too much for you.

Every decision has a consequence. Servers are paid a base pay of $2-5/hr depending on the employer, so next time you don’t want to tip, regardless of the situation prior to receiving your bill, think about how much you would have to work that week off $2-5/hr to feed your family, not just you. Could you pay your bills based on that pay alone? Could you feed your family AND yourself? Because that’s what happens when you choose to not tip. Please, please tip your servers. Even if it was the worst service you’ve ever received. A 10% tip is a big enough slap in the face, this completely tore me apart. Don’t even bother walking into a restaurant if you can’t afford to tip. There’s a McDonald’s down the street if you’re that cheap.”

But things may be looking up for servers in the future. According to Eater, “Seven states — including New York — have already increased or eliminated the lower tipped minimum wage and seven more are in the process of increasing or eliminating it altogether.” This change is necessary because, according to the National Restaurant Association, by the end of this year, 12.9 million people will work in the restaurant industry, which will account for 10% of the U.S. workforce.

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