Buffet Tipping

[Pooh68]

With the gratuities not included in the DDP now, what amount does everyone tip for a buffet or character dining buffet?

 

[Tricia1972]

I'll be tipping 18% because of the auto gratuity.

I am sure that your answers will range from 10% - 20%. (10% - I get my own food to 20% - they work as hard as a server at any other restaurant)

So long as you're not a party of 6 or more or using the DDE, it's up to you to tip what you feel appropriate for the level of service you received from the server.

 

[Princess April]

I support the previous poster..... 10% if I get my own food and they are pleasent, less if they aren't pleasent. (IE: rude and no drink refilles)
18-20% if they serve me like at any other resturant.
Seriously, I know this sounds cheap, but I can't fathom giving them a giant tip and they basically just gave me refills of my drink and ocassionally removed plates from my table.
Bring on the flames.....

 

[Brian Noble]

Miss Manners---my favorite authority on all things etiquette---suggests that there be no distinction between buffet and "regular" restaurants. So, if one tipped 15% at a table service restaurant, and one subscribed to Miss Manners' world view, one would also tip 15% at a buffet restaurant.

 

[stellablue]

I think it depends on the buffet. We just came back and did a few different buffets and one "family meal."

Now, DBF tipped 20% everywhere we went, regardless. He is a server himself (not at a buffet), so that was his mind set.

There was one buffet we went to that the server didn't need to do much-he brought us drinks but we only asked for a refill once. I believe they had separate bussers at this place so his tip was definately shared with them.

We went to the Biergarten and our waitress busted her @$$ I would say way more than a table service server between all the beers (huge & heavy to carry!) and lots more plates to clear from our table of I think 8 people. She was working nonstop.

Then there was the server at our "family style" meal who did the bare minimum and IMHO did not work to the level she should have. We had to flag her down each time to get anything refilled and it did put a damper on the point of "family-style."

So, I think it varies on your experience there and the format of each buffet.
I, personally, didn't mind DBF tipping the full 20% wherever we went because I felt the service was excellent. My only exception would have been the server from our "family style" meal who hardly paid attention to us.

BTW: Is that auto-gratuity in effect for parties of 6+ at buffets too or just full table service?

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think it depends on the buffet. We just came back and did a few different buffets and one "family meal."

Now, DBF tipped 20% everywhere we went, regardless. He is a server himself (not at a buffet), so that was his mind set.

There was one buffet we went to that the server didn't need to do much-he brought us drinks but we only asked for a refill once. I believe they had separate bussers at this place so his tip was definately shared with them.

We went to the Biergarten and our waitress busted her @$$ I would say way more than a table service server between all the beers (huge & heavy to carry!) and lots more plates to clear from our table of I think 8 people. She was working nonstop.

Then there was the server at our "family style" meal who did the bare minimum and IMHO did not work to the level she should have. We had to flag her down each time to get anything refilled and it did put a damper on the point of "family-style."

So, I think it varies on your experience there and the format of each buffet.
I, personally, didn't mind DBF tipping the full 20% wherever we went because I felt the service was excellent. My only exception would have been the server from our "family style" meal who hardly paid attention to us.

BTW: Is that auto-gratuity in effect for parties of 6+ at buffets too or just full table service?

I agree. It really depends on your server. I had such a bad experience at the buffets (2) where we dined on our last WDW trip....it really left me sour. Our server at H&V was the worst I have ever had....ever. No refills, didn't remove the dirty dishes (only one trip to the buffet) gave up on the coffee and had to chase her down for the check....and those were her good points.

The 18% service charge(auto grat) is also included for buffets.

 

[angelmav]

Miss Manners---my favorite authority on all things etiquette---suggests that there be no distinction between buffet and "regular" restaurants. So, if one tipped 15% at a table service restaurant, and one subscribed to Miss Manners' world view, one would also tip 15% at a buffet restaurant.

Miss Manners also advocates leaving 15% for poor service. Follow free advice at your own peril.