Do you ALWAYS have to tip at 20%

[nocomment711]

The last time I went down to WDW we had a spectrum of service, and we tipped accordingly. Another thing we factor in is the amount of time we spent at said restaurant. When you're on a trip with an 80 year old woman, you tend to spend more time sitting in the restaurant. There was one point where we spent 3 hours at Citricos. The waiter was phenomenal, so we had no issue tipping double the standard 20%. The way we saw it, he could have had an additional table in the time we spent eating, so we tipped him as if we were two tables.

I'm a firm believer in the "experience" of a Disney restaurant, and especially if you're at one of the Signature restaurants, you're paying those high prices for the food and the service, or as I would call it the "experience." If the server understands that, they're going to be getting 30-40% from me (especially if we spend a good deal of time there).


Unfortunately, we also had bad service at WDW. At Coral Reef the waitress forgot our drinks and one of our appetizers. She was never around and overall just very rude. We only spent an hour there, so we tipped 13% because we were extremely unsatisfied.

We also had a problem with one of the waiters changing the tip amount. I won't state where, but it was one of the themed restaurants in the park where you are paying a decent amount of money for okay-food and sublime service. The service was't that great so we tipped 18% and this waiter changed the tip to 20% in the computer system. >.<


So the point of my ramble is, I tip based on the service. I've been to a lot of restaurants and I have worked in the restaurant business, so I tend to over-tip for exceptional service. I realize that most people don't factor in a 3-hour dinner, but try to factor in the amount of time.

Disney servers usually deserve AT LEAST an 18% tip if not more.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

The last time I went down to WDW we had a spectrum of service, and we tipped accordingly. Another thing we factor in is the amount of time we spent at said restaurant. When you're on a trip with an 80 year old woman, you tend to spend more time sitting in the restaurant. There was one point where we spent 3 hours at Citricos. The waiter was phenomenal, so we had no issue tipping double the standard 20%. The way we saw it, he could have had an additional table in the time we spent eating, so we tipped him as if we were two tables.

I'm a firm believer in the "experience" of a Disney restaurant, and especially if you're at one of the Signature restaurants, you're paying those high prices for the food and the service, or as I would call it the "experience." If the server understands that, they're going to be getting 30-40% from me (especially if we spend a good deal of time there).


Unfortunately, we also had bad service at WDW. At Coral Reef the waitress forgot our drinks and one of our appetizers. She was never around and overall just very rude. We only spent an hour there, so we tipped 13% because we were extremely unsatisfied.

We also had a problem with one of the waiters changing the tip amount. I won't state where, but it was one of the themed restaurants in the park where you are paying a decent amount of money for okay-food and sublime service. The service was't that great so we tipped 18% and this waiter changed the tip to 20% in the computer system. >.<


So the point of my ramble is, I tip based on the service. I've been to a lot of restaurants and I have worked in the restaurant business, so I tend to over-tip for exceptional service. I realize that most people don't factor in a 3-hour dinner, but try to factor in the amount of time.

Disney servers usually deserve AT LEAST an 18% tip if not more.

I agree, and have done the same myself. Like I said previously, we had exceptional service at Tusker house, so that server got an extra nice tip. If the servers do make it extra special they deserve an extra tip, and we are glad to pay it. I just get frustrated with the servers who know they are going to get a required 18% from me and give me shoddy service. I hope it doesn't happen at all this time. We only had the one bad experience last time. Let me tell u, I was not happy laying down that 18% for her. Otherwise, every other server was fantastic and made our trip magical. I can't believe that server changed your tip! I hope you complained! I would be upset for sure! We are fast eaters bc my parents are park commandos, so we never sit long, but I would do the same thing in that case bc they could've taken care of other tables in that time.

 

[seashoreCM]

Changing numbers on a bill is a no-no. You should have complained so that the waiter or clerk can have sanctions taken agains him.

Long long time ago (when there was no Epcot and gas cost under a dollar a gallon) a gas station attendant apparently changed a credit card slip and I disputed it. "While I patronize this station often, my car does not hold that much gas." In the frenzy of things the credit card company took the entire charge off of my bill and the correct amount never reappeared.

 

[akayek31]

The last time I went down to WDW we had a spectrum of service, and we tipped accordingly. Another thing we factor in is the amount of time we spent at said restaurant. When you're on a trip with an 80 year old woman, you tend to spend more time sitting in the restaurant. There was one point where we spent 3 hours at Citricos. The waiter was phenomenal, so we had no issue tipping double the standard 20%. The way we saw it, he could have had an additional table in the time we spent eating, so we tipped him as if we were two tables.

I'm a firm believer in the "experience" of a Disney restaurant, and especially if you're at one of the Signature restaurants, you're paying those high prices for the food and the service, or as I would call it the "experience." If the server understands that, they're going to be getting 30-40% from me (especially if we spend a good deal of time there).


Unfortunately, we also had bad service at WDW. At Coral Reef the waitress forgot our drinks and one of our appetizers. She was never around and overall just very rude. We only spent an hour there, so we tipped 13% because we were extremely unsatisfied.

We also had a problem with one of the waiters changing the tip amount. I won't state where, but it was one of the themed restaurants in the park where you are paying a decent amount of money for okay-food and sublime service. The service was't that great so we tipped 18% and this waiter changed the tip to 20% in the computer system. >.<


So the point of my ramble is, I tip based on the service. I've been to a lot of restaurants and I have worked in the restaurant business, so I tend to over-tip for exceptional service. I realize that most people don't factor in a 3-hour dinner, but try to factor in the amount of time.

Disney servers usually deserve AT LEAST an 18% tip if not more.

Wow they changed the tip? I work at Cracker Barrel as a cashier and we put the tips in not the servers. I would never do something so devious. Our servers don't have to share tips with anyone and I have seen some leave on a Sunday making over $100 in tips. I would never be able to do what they do. I think after reading this thread I will take cash on my next trip to Disney so they don't have a chance to change my tip.

 

[rubato]

I am usually a 20% tipper, but if I get something small, like a cup of coffee, I may tip 100%. Once, at Whispering Canyon, I tipped 0% at the request of the manager. I had asked her to please find my bill because my waiter hadn't been seen in over 45 minutes. She was shocked. I then explained that that was okay, because he was the worst waiter I had ever had because of this, this and this. Well, she got my bill right away and when I went to fill in the tip, she told me that I had better not tip him! Ok by me!

 

[Sammy Cat]

This is the first time I've heard that 20% was standard. Where I come from 15% is standard... but hearing that the servers are paid $2 an hour in restaurants in Florida changes my perspective!

It seems the restaurant owners are taking advantage of 'the tip' and passing on the burden of wage-paying to the customers, who are already paying 400%++ more than the food value to eat there.

The 18% mandatory gratuity for parties of 6 or more was always an indication to me that you should tip more because your party size brings greater challenges to the servers. - So, 20% for a standard party of 4 seems steep to me. Really, why would anyone accept a job for $2 an hour anyway? That is way below minimum wage and is simply unacceptable.

In nicer family restaurants, I know that servers can get by very comfortably on minimum wage (which is $10 per hour here) plus the standard 15% tip. I had a friend who said she could bring home $200-400 a night in tips above her wage. To me I find it astounding. I know it is hard work, but that is a very good living for someone who didn't go to college for 7 years like I did. Hey, I may be broke from still paying back my student loans but I still think I deserve to eat in a nice restaurant and pay a tip that I can afford and that I think is reasonable for the services received.

The whole concept of tipping has gone wayyy out of whack. A tip was originally intended as a show of gratitude for exceptional service. It isn't supposed to be 'standard' or mandatory, and shouldn't be expected or relied upon the way it has become. It really has lost its meaning.

 

[Sammy Cat]

double post.

 

[Monknmom]

This is the first time I've heard that 20% was standard. Where I come from 15% is standard... but hearing that the servers are paid $2 an hour in restaurants in Florida changes my perspective!

It seems the restaurant owners are taking advantage of 'the tip' and passing on the burden of wage-paying to the customers, who are already paying 400%++ more than the food value to eat there.

The 18% mandatory gratuity for parties of 6 or more was always an indication to me that you should tip more because your party size brings greater challenges to the servers. - So, 20% for a standard party of 4 seems steep to me. Really, why would anyone accept a job for $2 an hour anyway? That is way below minimum wage and is simply unacceptable.

In nicer family restaurants, I know that servers can get by very comfortably on minimum wage (which is $10 per hour here) plus the standard 15% tip. I had a friend who said she could bring home $200-400 a night in tips above her wage. To me I find it astounding. I know it is hard work, but that is a very good living for someone who didn't go to college for 7 years like I did. Hey, I may be broke from still paying back my student loans but I still think I deserve to eat in a nice restaurant and pay a tip that I can afford and that I think is reasonable for the services received.

The whole concept of tipping has gone wayyy out of whack. A tip was originally intended as a show of gratitude for exceptional service. It isn't supposed to be 'standard' or mandatory, and shouldn't be expected or relied upon the way it has become. It really has lost its meaning.

No, they do not get paid $2 an hour just to let you know they do get paid between $5-$7 + tips. So yes they do walk away with a hefty sum of money at the end of the night! I very much so agree with you on the college point too! I do not make $200 a day and I went to college for 4 years- I don't even think that I make $75 a day! And 20% is a big thing to ask for on top of the prices I believe! In NY like I said it's usually double the tax (which is around 16%). I do know that they do not make only $2 because I have called after I posted here to ask a few different times so I've spoken with different people each time all with the same answer! As an ex waiter I agree that they do make comfortable pay- in fact after seeing my current paycheck one time my younger cousin made a joke that she's going to drop out of college and just continue being a waiter at J&R's where she currently works! So if you can afford to tip 20% or more all power to you and you should feel so lucky as to be able to do that, but for the average Joe that's just hard and shouldn't really be an argument!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

This is the first time I've heard that 20% was standard. Where I come from 15% is standard... but hearing that the servers are paid $2 an hour in restaurants in Florida changes my perspective!

It seems the restaurant owners are taking advantage of 'the tip' and passing on the burden of wage-paying to the customers, who are already paying 400%++ more than the food value to eat there.

The 18% mandatory gratuity for parties of 6 or more was always an indication to me that you should tip more because your party size brings greater challenges to the servers. - So, 20% for a standard party of 4 seems steep to me. Really, why would anyone accept a job for $2 an hour anyway? That is way below minimum wage and is simply unacceptable.

In nicer family restaurants, I know that servers can get by very comfortably on minimum wage (which is $10 per hour here) plus the standard 15% tip. I had a friend who said she could bring home $200-400 a night in tips above her wage. To me I find it astounding. I know it is hard work, but that is a very good living for someone who didn't go to college for 7 years like I did. Hey, I may be broke from still paying back my student loans but I still think I deserve to eat in a nice restaurant and pay a tip that I can afford and that I think is reasonable for the services received.

The whole concept of tipping has gone wayyy out of whack. A tip was originally intended as a show of gratitude for exceptional service. It isn't supposed to be 'standard' or mandatory, and shouldn't be expected or relied upon the way it has become. It really has lost its meaning.

No, they do not get paid $2 an hour just to let you know they do get paid between $5-$7 + tips. So yes they do walk away with a hefty sum of money at the end of the night! I very much so agree with you on the college point too! I do not make $200 a day and I went to college for 4 years- I don't even think that I make $75 a day! And 20% is a big thing to ask for on top of the prices I believe! In NY like I said it's usually double the tax (which is around 16%). I do know that they do not make only $2 because I have called after I posted here to ask a few different times so I've spoken with different people each time all with the same answer! As an ex waiter I agree that they do make comfortable pay- in fact after seeing my current paycheck one time my younger cousin made a joke that she's going to drop out of college and just continue being a waiter at J&R's where she currently works! So if you can afford to tip 20% or more all power to you and you should feel so lucky as to be able to do that, but for the average Joe that's just hard and shouldn't really be an argument!

I think I'm in the wrong business! Karate just isn't that lucrative! Sigh...

 

[WDWaddictsx4]

Of course you don't ALWAYS have to tip 20%. Tipping is a personal choice.

However, I will say that I am a server by profession and have been for about 8 years now. It is not as lucrative a profession as some feel it is. I also am the mother of 2 young children (with 1 more on the way) and a full-time student. Even when I do well percentage-wise, there is no guarantee that I will be busy enough or my guests will be buying enough that I will still do well money-wise. I only make $3.75/hr. And although I always work hard and strive to give my absolute best service, sometimes things happen and I get not-so-hot (or even poor or unfair) tips.

So, for me, even when I go out with my family and the service is poor, I always try to remember that there is a PERSON on the other side of that nametag. I remember to assume that there may be more than I can see resulting in the less-than-stellar service. And then I act mercifully and still give 20%, even if for no reason other than generosity is ALWAYS the right thing to do.

Again, however, it is a personal choice. And as a side note, this is NOT a judgment against those who view differently than me. Just an opinion from a different perspective.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Of course you don't ALWAYS have to tip 20%. Tipping is a personal choice.

However, I will say that I am a server by profession and have been for about 8 years now. It is not as lucrative a profession as some feel it is. I also am the mother of 2 young children (with 1 more on the way) and a full-time student. Even when I do well percentage-wise, there is no guarantee that I will be busy enough or my guests will be buying enough that I will still do well money-wise. I only make $3.75/hr. And although I always work hard and strive to give my absolute best service, sometimes things happen and I get not-so-hot (or even poor or unfair) tips.

So, for me, even when I go out with my family and the service is poor, I always try to remember that there is a PERSON on the other side of that nametag. I remember to assume that there may be more than I can see resulting in the less-than-stellar service. And then I act mercifully and still give 20%, even if for no reason other than generosity is ALWAYS the right thing to do.

Again, however, it is a personal choice. And as a side note, this is NOT a judgment against those who view differently than me. Just an opinion from a different perspective.

I think most of us are thinking it's lucrative being a server at Disney, not necessarily anywhere else around the US! I have considered moving to FL and possibly getting a job at Disney in security, but recently have been thinking it might be better to be a server! I am not discounting that there is a lot of crap to put up with, as there is at any job, but it's gotta be nice going home with some cash in the pocket. That's one of the benefits in my opinion b/c you don't have to wait till payday if there is a surprise bill like I had this week!