Courtesy of Karla Gonzalez
- Karla Gonzalez is a server and bartender at a champagne bar in North Carolina that pays $18 an hour.
- Though customers are told that they're not required to tip, many still leave a tip of about 10%.
- She says that knowing her exact income is a huge stress reliever for her and the rest of the staff.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karla Gonzalez, a 25-year-old server and bartender at a champagne bar in Raleigh, North Carolina. The following has been edited for length and clarity.