Do you think waiters should get higher wages or tips?

If you're a waiter or waitress, a good tip can make all the difference in your shift. Maybe it's the extra cash that will help you to make a special purchase, or it's the money you need to get you through to your next paycheck.

But a growing number of eating establishments are saying "no" to gratuities, which definitely could change the game for waitstaffs.

With increasing pressure to hike the minimum wage—several cities have already upped the ante to $15 per hour—some restaurant owners have decided to increase prices or add administrative fees to customers' bills in order to control labor costs, according to a New York Times report. To keep diners' costs basically even, these eating establishments have also established no-tipping policies.

On the plus side, such a wage structure means even on slow nights waiters and waitresses can still expect a decent night's pay. On the minus, it means missed opportunities on tips worth hundreds of dollars from large parties or from excellent service rendered.

What would you prefer? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Would you rather receive tips or earn a higher hourly wage?

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