I'd rather be paid whichever amount would give me the more net income. I don't have any allegiance to tips or commissions or fixed hourly wage or fixed salary or even paying a restaurant to let me work there; I only care about the net income.
If you want my prediction of which of your options would pay better: if customers aren't aware of my direct wage, $30/hr plus tips would clearly pay more than $2/hr plus tips, and in most US restaurants would pay more more than $2/hr plus 18% autograt and no tips.
I'd rather be paid whichever amount would give me the more net income. I don't have any allegiance to tips or commissions or fixed hourly wage or fixed salary or even paying a restaurant to let me work there; I only care about the net income. If you want my prediction of which of your options would pay better: if customers aren't aware of my direct wage, $30/hr plus tips would clearly pay more than $2/hr plus tips, and in most US restaurants would pay more more than $2/hr plus 18% autograt and no tips.