Does everyone tip 18% or more???

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Just out of curiosity... How much do YOU typically tip for TS restaurants?? What is the "norm"?? 10% - 15% is typical at restaurants we eat at at hom, but is more expected at WDW??

 

[mom2my3kids]

I will tell you the norm is 15-20% of the bill for good service. Now being a server I will tell you there are still lots of people that either tip good, or tip bad and then you get the few stiffers. I tip at least 20 percent for good service, but then again I am a server.

 

[wezee]

We usually tip about 20% at home or at WDW. The only exception would be very poor or rude service, which we have rarely experienced at WDW.
Just last week, DH and I went to lunch at a mexican restaurant back home, the waiter was curt and rude, because we only wanted only two margaritas and large order of nachos to share. The food was only so-so and the drinks tasted like they were mixed with grain alcohol....DH only tipped 10%, because the server was horrible, regardless of the food and drink.

 

[carmiedog]

We tip 20% and usually better at average-priced (about $8-12 per person) and less expensive restaurants for good service. To be honest, if I had to tip OOP at a higher-priced WDW restaurant, I would probably tip a little less percentage. I do believe that servers deserve decent wages, but it's hard when the tip alone for our meal would be more than both my and dh's hourly wages put together, ya know? That and I think the system stinks that some servers get paid more just because the cost of the food they serve is higher, even though servers in all restaurants ALL do the same work. Not their fault...just the way it is.

 

[TDC Nala]

It was 20% because it was easy to add the DDE discount back in.

Now it's 18% because they'll be adding it for me.

 

[just another guy]

15-20%, sometimes more if the bill is cheap. If I stop by Fridays, where I know a server or two, my beers are normally free. $10 for a burger, tax, and I just drop a $20.

 

[LindyN]

At Disney I always tipped 20%, which was the discount I got with the DDE card. With the changes to the system and the autogratuity I'm tipping at least 18%, but the past two nights I've tossed in a couple of bucks to bring the total up to at least 20%. If service is just so-so, which rarely happens, then I'd do the 18% and leave it at that. If it was dreadful then I'd speak with a manager. Tonight's dinner at Spoodles was very good, the server gave me a lot of info (about the plan and how it is impacting her, as well as the menu) and she really ran her butt off.

When we go out at home I do at least 15% of the pre-tax amount, and more if I have a really great server who did a good job. We don't go out too much, as I tend to enjoy really good food that is not available in my area. I'm not a foodie but could be one quite easily. (O'Charley's is pretty much the best place to eat in our little town.) I'd rather eat at Panera or Subway than at some of the popular chains. So for me, by not eating out much at home I can justify eating well at Disney.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Whether dining at home or anywhere else we tip 20% or more depending on the service.

 

[rotlex]

20% or more if service is good. 15% if below average, and yes, nothing if terrible.

 

[pickles]

Just out of curiosity... How much do YOU typically tip for TS restaurants?? What is the "norm"?? 10% - 15% is typical at restaurants we eat at at hom, but is more expected at WDW??

You and I are in the same boat. Where I have lived tipping is 10-15% I get amazed when i see folks talking about 20%
I will tip more if the service is excellent, but average service or below avg is going to get 10-15% from me. I am not rich enough to pay a ton in tips. I suspect some servers make more money than i do!

I also agree with the poster folks who work in pricey menu places are making more than those with a lower ticket menu, yet they both do the same work..not really fair, which is why i dont always look to the menu price but to the labor involved.

 

[Colleen27]

We use 15% as a starting point, and tip more for good service and occasionally less for exceptionally poor service. I also tip a little more, percentage wise, at inexpensive restaurants, because I feel that average to good service deserves more than the standard 15-20% on a very low bill. For example, at the neighborhood Coney Island I like for lunch my usual chili and salad come to a whopping $4.50, but I still tip $3-4 because ordering a cheap lunch doesn't make me any less work.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Our norm is 20%.

 

[carmiedog]

BTW, I've eaten out with my sister (ages ago) and she literally tipped with whatever COIN CHANGE she had on hand. And that was before half-dollar and dollar coins were common. I don't think she meant to be rude...she was just really that clueless. Hopefully she's improved.

So comparatively 10-15% really isn't that bad.

 

[NMW]

We do 20% at home or at Disney. Sometimes if the bill is really cheap we may leave a little more. Like at a diner for breakfast. I take my kids on Saturdays that my husband works sometimes. Just because 20% of our breakfast seems so tiny.

 

[just another guy]

Sometimes I simply round it up, and not worry about a percent. Burger and a soda for a $11 total, I just toss down $15. If I'm out with a friend, and grabbing the bill, and its around $22-24, its just easier to toss down $30 and be done with it.

 

[lisa221]

We tip 20% or more. Service would have to be really bad to go below that.

 

[java]

20% for us all the time as well. Except now for disney forcing the 18% on us. I will add to that if someone is especially attentive.(Like Gia at Alfredo's- too bad it's gone.) But average servers will get the 18%. Oh and I always tipped on the after tax amount. I am assuming Disney will do before tax so I will actually be saving money I think.

 

[rellabee]

What about buffet restaurants? How much should be tipped then?

 

[mom2my3kids]

The norm seems to run 10-20% for buffets from what I have read on these boards. Now being a server I tip at least 15-20% at buffets I would feel so guilty if I did not they do a lot of work behind the scenes.

 

[angelmav]

The norm seems to run 10-20% for buffets from what I have read on these boards. Now being a server I tip at least 15-20% at buffets I would feel so guilty if I did not they do a lot of work behind the scenes.

I believe most buffet servers make a better hourly wage though since its not necessarily considered a 'tipped' position and therefore expect substantially less in tips, how buffet servers at Disney compare in this regard I have no idea though since they do much better in tips.

20% is pretty much our 'ceiling' but were generally in the 15-20% range (5-10% on the buffets we go to), (yes we like Golden Corral and Country Buffet, Guilty as charged!)