As a bartender (someone who relies on tips to pay the bills) it is easy to complain these days about how much we're making.  On the flip side I have talked to owners that are reporting still better numbers than the year before.  I don't think that it is luck that these people are growing, it is because of you!  They also seem to be well established with what we would consider fair price points and good quality food.  A restaurant can have have great food and atmosphere but if the service isn't there, than it is a miss, you need to hit on all three to be a success.  So why are WE making less money?  I can only narrow it down to a couple of things, some of which you read on this website "O" and her kind words to the service industry didn't help, and how about that show that Rachel Ray did where she would go into a town and eat for the day on 30 bucks.  I bet she left great tips, ha.  Its really about the economy and the pain that everyone is feeling right now, we all know someone that is out of work or about to lose a job.  We should be happy that we are working right now, although not for as much as last year.  I have calculated that I make about 25% less right now than I did last year at this time.  What that works out to for me is that I had to pick up another night at another restaurant behind the bar to make my monthly numbers.  Its not exactly what I want to do, but have to do.  So, we need to pump up the percentages.  You all know how to do it, smile, joke, tell a story, move fast when its busy, keep the customers happy and your owners, always do the right thing, just be a great bartender or server.  This is the profession we chose, now its crunch time, lets make it happen!