How do you tip at WDW buffet restaurants?

[honeymo78]

For anyone who has been on a meal plan such as the Silver or Gold recently do they add a tip on for the buffet meals? I can't seem to remember from my last trip if they did or not, plus Mom kept all the receipts so I probably wouldn't have noticed anyway. I don't want to stiff anyone, even if its just a dollar or two but since it says tax and tip included I wanted to make sure that "tip" applies at the buffets.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
But when you know that the restaurant treats those two servers interchangeably - and that your tips like it or not are part of their wages - you are accepting their service without paying for it. Why can you understand that concept for "regular" servers and not buffet? I could see a reduced rate, but reduced to nothing? Come on.

I do not accept the notion that tips = salary. JMO, but that has evolved from some kind of societal guilt over the meager wages restaurant workers are paid. If people are so concerned about the sad plight of restaurant servers/workers, maybe they should promote legislation to bring their wages in line with other jobs. Or better yet, let's pass legislation that pays everyone who works the same wages. That way everything is all fair and nice and everyone is happy.

Tips/gratuity is given for service, which to me implies more than what someone does at a buffet. If I am serving myself, with the possible exception of bringing me a beverage (because they have bus-persons to clean the tables), I just don't see where anything is being done worthy of the definition of "service" or "work."

 

[MHopkins2]

Tips/gratuity is given for service, which to me implies more than what someone does at a buffet.

Imply schmimply. Do you or do you not know that those folks are paid the same as regular waiters? Your personal feelings about that wage structure are irrelevant - if you know that's how they're paid and you don't pay them, it's inappropriate at best.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Imply schmimply. Do you or do you not know that those folks are paid the same as regular waiters? Your personal feelings about that wage structure are irrelevant - if you know that's how they're paid and you don't pay them, it's inappropriate at best.

Whatever a wait-person agrees to as their salary is between them and their employer. I've never seen anywhere where it is written in stone that tips are required, especially when I serve myself. If someone feels underpaid, let them go get a better paying job. It's not my responsibility to ensure wage equity in the world. I go out to eat to have a good time; not to subsidize someone else's income.

You are entitled to your opinion on this; I happen to disagree with it.

 

[Planogirl]

I disagree that bringing drinks alone is not worthy of a tip. A good server will see to it that you have water to start with and then will make sure that your drinks are kept filled as you dine. These are services and while there is some logic to a smaller tip, I personally believe that one is justified in keeping with the current tipping philosophy in the United States.

If I go to a diner and order nothing but a drink, I tip and I don't see the difference.

 

[MHopkins2]

Eeyore, do you feel the same way about baggage handlers? I.e., if they carry five bags they've earned a tip, but if it's only one, that's close enough to self-service and therefore doesn't deserve any tip? Or valets, if they only move the car a little bit vs. at the GF where it's quite a walk back to the stand?

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
Eeyore, do you feel the same way about baggage handlers? I.e., if they carry five bags they've earned a tip, but if it's only one, that's close enough to self-service and therefore doesn't deserve any tip? Or valets, if they only move the car a little bit vs. at the GF where it's quite a walk back to the stand?

Ah, the red herrings. And we made it to page 4 without them. I don't see how these are relevant to this debate...

But OK, since it's you, dear friend, I'll bite.

I used a baggage handler (sky cap) ONCE in 1978. It was, I believe about the 2nd or 3rd time I'd flown and I was just told by my uncle to "tip" him, but no indication how much. So I gave him $5 for 1 bag -- a small garmet bag. Anyway, since then I learned I'm pretty capable of carrying my bags myself to check-in. I just like the semblance of security of watching my bag(s) disappear into the airlines black hole. At WDW -- never used them. Again, my DW and I figure we're able-bodied enough to carry them. Besides, we always use luggage with WHEELS!

Valets -- I've only used them at WDW. I usually tip each person $2 (more if the weather is really bad) because these people always hustle, they do provide a significant service (i.e., I am not having to do the work for them ), and they always get the car ready (turn on the A/C, open the door for my DW, offer directions, etc.).

Oh, and I've never claimed to hold anything remotely resembling consistency in my opinions or views.

Having said that, flame away!

 

[MHopkins2]

LOL - well boogers. I was hoping I'd have you on the baggage handler thing, but it turns out you're one of those he-men who does it himself!

I don't think these are red herrings, though - both cases are tipped positions where there's the possibility for a range of effort in serving a single customer.

Oh, and I've never claimed to hold anything remotely resembling consistency in my opinions or views.

Right there with you on this one. Heh.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
LOL - well boogers. I was hoping I'd have you on the baggage handler thing, but it turns out you're one of those he-men who does it himself!

ROTFLOL!! Oh man, if you ever saw a picture of me you would see how funny that is. To be more accurate, I am a short, stout, CHEAP man ... and since all my luggage has WHEELS, the most exertion I get is pulling it over the curb at the terminal!

 

[Eeyore1954]

I do see where you are coming from. If I did use baggage handlers, especially at the airport, I'd probably tip VERY WELL. Those are some people you NEVER stiff on a tip.

 

[polyfan]

With all this talk about "stiffing" the wait staff, what about the wait staff "stiffing" the customer. It seems that many want to argue how unfair it is for wait staff not to get a proper tip, what about them doing their job to earn it. Ex...We went to Park Fare on July 1st- there were 8 of us, so of course the tip was automatically included, well the waitress took our beverege order, brought it to us, although mixed everyones up, and then we never saw her again until she brought the bill. Plates were stacked up, drinks were empty, she never checked to see if we needed anything. She evidentyly felt she was guaranteed her 15% and therefore made no effort to do her job. It's a shame that people only will work if they think they have to in order to get a tip. I have no sympathy for wait staff. They chose the job, they can always do something else. Sorry.

 

[Mouse Ears]

I think a slightly reduced tip is reasonable for a buffet service depending on how much effort is extended.

Besides, it has been my observation that buffet servers will be helping more tables since it is less effort for each table. So, if they gain half the tips from twice the tables, they should earn a similar wage to the full-service server.

Finally, I must interject that I don't have a problem fully stiffing a bad server. After all, it was those brave enough to send that message that convinced me I was not cut out to be a waiter after only a couple months. Thanks to the stiffers out there!

 

[MHopkins2]

Polyfan - it sounds like your service was really awful and certainly didn't deserve a tip. Personally, I do NOT approve of restaurants that do that flat tip for parties over XX people thing, for that very reason. But surely you know that poor service like that is an exception and not the norm - and if it isn't, then you need to find new restaurants!

Mouse Ears - I don't have any problem leaving a very small or even no tip, either, if the (lack of or poor quality of) service warrants it. But again, that's definitely the exception and not the rule. I also almost always talk to the manager in those cases, since that person - like you - probably shouldn't be a server (or is just having a really, really bad day).