How Much Do You Tip At Buffets?

[Luv4Disney]

I just wanted some opinions. I tend to tip more at the "family style" dinners (ie LTT) than "buffets" where you get up and get it yourself. 20% (so long as the service is good) at "family style" and 15% at "buffets." Anyone else?

 

[Meezers]

Sounds just right to me!

 

[ducklite]

20% for everything adjusted up for excellent service.

Anne

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Tip 20%, unless there is a problem with the service. On a bill of $100, the difference between a 15% tip and 20% tip is $5, not that much. $5 here and there for a waiter/waitress making a few bucks an hour can really add up.

 

[ktink]

I tend to tip 20% at family style restaurants but at buffets only 10%, if that. Most of the buffets in our area you fix your own drink and all. My first job was a waitress and it can be demanding at times so I know the importance of tipping but buffets are different if you're waiting on yourself.

 

[danny1649]

Not a good reason I most of the time tip 20º/º and often a little more.I'm in a good mood when at Disney and when your happy you tend to look over the minor things.Plus maybe I'm lucky but only a few times have I had anything close to bad service at Disney.

 

[tikkipoo]

I guess I'm cheap! I usually leave a dollar per person if I'm at a buffet.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

tikkipoo-OUCH!

I agree with infinity. What is a few more bucks to me? But it can make a big difference in a server's night. Plus, I always feel like I gotta make up for people that leave crummy tips!

 

[SeaSpray]

We tip 20% and up, at all types of restaurants. At the buffets, I think the waiters/servers work just as hard because they are constantly clearing away the dirty plates every time you get up to get more food. (Restaurants do NOT want you taking a dirty plate back up to the buffet line!) So really, I think they have just as many, if not more, plates to clear than at a sit-down restaurant.

We're big tippers anyway, because we appreciate how hard it is to wait on people. It's a job I've never had, and hope to never have. lol

 

[Luv4Disney]

Thanks guys! I usually do tip more at Disney than I do at home (if that makes sense). Now that I think about it, I believe I tipped 20% at Chef Mickey's last year for breakfast. Our waitress was super nice and spent some time talking to us and telling us about things. I guess I didn't even think about. I normally tip 20% in general. Hmmm...something to think about. Thanks though!

 

[missypie]

If the servers actually pay attention to us - refilling drinks, removing dirty plates, etc. - I tip as I do at any other restaurant. However, if they ignore us and do nothing, I take that into account.

Over the past few years, it seems like servers have not been taught to take away dirty plates. I've been to so many restaurants where dirty plates remain...and remain. One place was a very nice "trendy" place in downtown Dallas. My client and I were talking for quite a while after we ate (the place was not crowded) and the server never removed our empty lunch plates.

 

[ribbot]

Tikkipoo,

Apparently you're used to visiting Vegas and the Las Vegas Boards? Because that's all they say to tip when out there. There aren't as many buffets at Disney as there are in Vegas, maybe that's the difference. Plus buffets are more popular in Vegas than in Disney. You can find a buffet at almost every single hotel out there.

When I was at Disney last week the buffets don't even compare to a Vegas buffet. The food is more plentiful, tastes better and is a little cheaper---but not like it used to be.

I tip 15-20% depending on service. Sometimes more if the server is outstanding and definitely less if they ignore me. What I don't like is when a server expects it and doesn't do the work. Tips are tips---they are to be earned and not expected. And a single penny says a whole lot to a server.