Bus Etiquette

[smidgy]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/tipping-info-thread-for-disney-dining.2300858/

 

[smidgy]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/tipping-info-thread-for-disney-dining.2300858/

 

[SaraJR]

ooh, we've morphed from a bus seat thread to a tipping thread. 2 hot topics in one! lol . sara, there is a thread sticky on tipping. check it out. (but as a server, I'll tell you in the USA our tipping system is not "due to lack of worker's rights". you just figure in the 15-20% of the bill as what the meal costs up front. I'd rather be a great server and I can earn a lot more than minimum wage.)
you don't tip at counter service restaurants, or the bus driver's to and from the parks, so there isn't that much tipping at all. just the sit down restaurants and bag handlers. mousekeeping is up to you. tipping them doesn't guarantee towel animals, just so you know. I rarely use mousekeeping, I have them put a bag of "supplies" on my door knob

Thanks that makes me feel better knowing they are making good money still, I did read the tipping thread didn't mean to morph this one sorry

 

[smidgy]

Thanks that makes me feel better knowing they are making good money still, I did read the tipping thread didn't mean to morph this one sorry

I think you misunderstand.. servers are ONLY making good money IF tipped properly.hourly wage is very small. the tipping system in the US is that the hourly wage is small. the customers are "expected" to tip 15-20%. and the pricing reflects that. so if you tip less than 15% the server is not making good money at all. I just meant that it isn't due to lack of rights. but most servers like this system, and most customers tip properly and now the service will be decent causetheir tips depends on it. and good serverspretty much know (and expect) good tips. I usually get 20% at most of my tables. anything less than 15% and next time that customer will not get such great service. good, ... but I'll take care of others first.. we remember.

I should add that at WDW tipping is not required unless you are a table of 6 or more. you can leave whatever amount you want, or nothing at all... (but the servers "expect" a decent tip if they did a decent job)

 

[goofy4tink]

I was told about the bus people if they touch your bags (I always need help with my bags), house keeping if you want towel designs and restaurants all this is a lot considering im coming from Canada and given the exchange etc

Figure on at least 15% at restaurants, 18% is better...as long as you've had good service. And that's only at places where you're served. Counter service gets nothing. For buses, if a driver stows a bag for you, then a dollar per bag. If you just have a carry on bag, that can go on your lap, then no tipping is expected. Housekeeping? Don't get me started. The majority of housekeepers are making more than my 39 y/o dd does in her daycare/preschool job!! So, you can tip them if you want. I don't. And I've had plenty of towel animals when leaving no tip. And, it seems that towel animals are happening less and less lately. So, basically, I would worry about tipping in restaurants only.

So you're saying you're a "cougar"?

Ummmm, sort of. It's only an 8 year difference. And? He's much, much older than me in attitude and mentality!!!! There's a very old man inside of his body, screaming to be let out!!!!! Me? I hang with the 30 somethings...a lot! Now, that's a cougar!!!

 

[hmmchowell]

Do you think it's still a given for men to be polite and give up their seat on a bus, monorail etc. so someone who "needs" the seat more can have a seat?

I ask, because I've noticed this seems to be changing. During my last trip, several times I stood up because some of the "men" did not. I'm not talking about a man giving up his seat for just any woman at all. (I don't need someone to do that for me, for example.) I'm talking about a mom trying to hold a small child, elderly people, etc.

What do you think, am I just old fashioned or something?

No

 

[kar915]

I just want the bus to be loaded efficiently. I don't know how many times I've seen a bus leave that could load 10, 15 more people whether standing or sitting and there is still quite a few people in the queue. We all just want to get back to resort or to the park. The bus rides are usually less than 20 minutes.

 

[smidgy]

especially when people won't go all the way to the back. and there is tons of space, but you can't get on.

 

[kar915]

Yes that's a big problem I see. People are afraid to stand up the steps at the back.

I do agree it's a common courtesy to offer a seat to someone who may need it more than you but if they decline don't both of you be standing and leave the seat empty.

 

[Nohal]

I just started a thread on this same subject on the theme park thread and people were quick to let me know that there was a current one on this board. We just returned and DH was on a full bus holding my DGD who is 2 not one person got up to give him a seat. I couldn't believe it. DH & I were also on a bus that all the seats were taken and a woman got on who was younger than DH and he was the only one to offer her his seat. What happened to common courtesy. I am also annoyed at the small children taking up a seat when there are people standing. When my kids were younger and it was a full bus they sat on my lap to free up a seat.

 

[Allison]

I find it interesting that people who are concerned about so called courtesy think it is okay to be judgmental.

 

[smidgy]

DH was on a full bus holding my DGD who is 2 not one person got up to give him a seat. I couldn't believe it. .

instead of holding her on the bus, your DH could have stayed in the queue, where I assume she was either standing or in a stroller, and waited for the next bus to be sure of getting a seat. ( even if he was holding her in the queue, the queue is not moving, like a bus.)

 

[Baklava]

I think you misunderstand.. servers are ONLY making good money IF tipped properly.hourly wage is very small. the tipping system in the US is that the hourly wage is small. the customers are "expected" to tip 15-20%. and the pricing reflects that. so if you tip less than 15% the server is not making good money at all. I just meant that it isn't due to lack of rights. but most servers like this system, and most customers tip properly and now the service will be decent causetheir tips depends on it. and good serverspretty much know (and expect) good tips. I usually get 20% at most of my tables. anything less than 15% and next time that customer will not get such great service. good, ... but I'll take care of others first.. we remember.

I should add that at WDW tipping is not required unless you are a table of 6 or more. you can leave whatever amount you want, or nothing at all... (but the servers "expect" a decent tip if they did a decent job)

To further muddle the matter, servers in some states *are* paid the minimum wage plus tips, while some states allow restaurants to pay less than the minimum wage and assume it will be made up in tips. I think FL is one where they pay less than minimum, but in CA a server is guaranteed minimum wage from their employer PLUS whatever tips they earn.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's all about personal responsibility. If you get in a bus, and you need a seat...not a good idea to count on someone giving up their seat for you.
You have no idea what peoples' situations are....that healthy looking guy may have really bad knees or not be able to balance in a moving bus. Someone else may have stepped aside and let others board a prior crowded bus because they needed to sit.
You just don't know a what someone's story is.

 

[nono]

The only time I had an issue as a Mom standing is that I ended up in the second door well with Mario Andretti as the bus driver and a 20+ lb. dead-weight child on my hip. The couple seated behind the door well was funny -- she elbowed him to give up the seat and he steadfastly refused. I really could have used the seat that night, but it wasn't his fault the driver was on the edge of reckless. However, I don't think he got any that night as the woman was steaming at him the entire ride home. (I wasn't steaming at him, I was too busy trying not to fly out the door LOL) It was the best thrill ride of the day, I have to admit. Upon arriving at OKW, the entire group of us from the back of the bus minus that couple, some fairly elderly, all went directly to the Suitcase to toast our good luck that we had survived that ride in one piece.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My husband and I are mid-thirties and look healthy. We both have invisible to other people back issues that can cause us pain. When we can stand and give up a seat, we do. But we've both gotten dirty looks when we have not given up our seats because we are in pain after a day at the parks. So I try not to judge others who are sitting.

 

[philharmagic fan]

I seem to be in the minority here, but if I have a seat on a bus (any bus- not just at WDW) and I see someone standing nearby who might appreciate/need it more than me (elderly person, someone holding a child, pregnant woman), I will offer my seat to that person. Not because I'm sexist or whatever, but because I personally think it's the right thing to do.
BTW, I am not what one would call young. I'm just about to turn 62 years old, but I still run half marathons and am able-bodied enough to stand for a 20 minute bus ride.

I'm a 57-year-old woman, and I always offer my seat to someone obviously much older, pregnant, or carrying a child. Funny, once I stand up and make the offer, several younger men within earshot will offer theirs as well. Occasionally I'm offered a seat, and my usual response is "thanks, but I'm fine where I am". Standing is better for you (if you're healthy enough to manage it), so I figure why not do it while I still can?

 

[pd1138]

Oh my.... I've been pregnant at Disney and I have small kids. On a few occasions I've had people want to give up their seat for me and I've politely declined because I felt funny about it. One person really insisted and I took the seat only after my DH didn't want to make a scene. But, after reading this thread I will always politely decline a seat. I'm in good shape and if I boarded a bus knowing I had to stand that is my decision. I have given up my seat plenty of times and will continue to do so for others that is just me.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay....no one should ever feel badly about taking an offered seat. On the other hand, no one should be judged or called out for not offering a seat. This whole thing has almost gotten ridiculous! No one, not one person, can safely say that another person should get up and offer their seat to someone else. Many here are used to riding public transit every single day...where seats are seldom, if ever, offered!!!
If you feel you aren't able to stand on a bus, there are options....
1. wait for the next bus
2. take a cab
3. rent a car

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....WDW transportation is terrific. But, it isn't going to work for everyone. There are going to be some guests that will need to get around in some other fashion!

 

[Baklava]

Okay....no one should ever feel badly about taking an offered seat. On the other hand, no one should be judged or called out for not offering a seat. This whole thing has almost gotten ridiculous! No one, not one person, can safely say that another person should get up and offer their seat to someone else. Many here are used to riding public transit every single day...where seats are seldom, if ever, offered!!!
If you feel you aren't able to stand on a bus, there are options....
1. wait for the next bus
2. take a cab
3. rent a car

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....WDW transportation is terrific. But, it isn't going to work for everyone. There are going to be some guests that will need to get around in some other fashion!

This. If I offer you my seat it's because I *can*. Because I have judged myself physically capable on that day and have chosen to offer a small gift to a stranger who might need it more. Please, take it as a small kindness, freely given. If I don't offer you my seat, it's because on that day I am not capable and that's a call I make for myself and don't need to be judged for, because it's *frustrating* to know that I'm in no condition to offer my seat. It hurts to look at a pregnant woman or a senior citizen and know that on that day I am less able than they are. It hurts more to know people are judging me for it.