Just curious about something?

[ampc3]

I know I have read that alot of you tip extra even when on the DDP.
My question is if you are paying OOP and NOT on the plan, how much do you normally tip for the character buffets? Or CRT? I have no problem tipping 18% for someone who is "waiting on us, bringing our food etc" but not sure I feel it necessary to tip more than 10- 15% on a Buffet?? Am I way off here? Just curious what most of you do?

 

[mdhkitten]

I normally tip 15% on a buffet unless the server has gone out of their way for me.

 

[Amyrlin]

My starting point is 20% on a TS, if the service is poor it wil go down, if it is very good it will go up. For a buffet my starting point is 15% with the same basis, but I tend to put it up more easilty for good service, if they fill the drinks the same way that a TS server does and are attentive clearing the plates away it is as much wrork as a TS meal, maybe more, so I tip accordingly.

 

[disneypharm]

15% to 20% depending on how good the server was.

 

[calie_j]

We tipped just like a TS for buffets at WDW. I didn't even realize it until afterwards but it really didn't seem any different than a TS (not like the buffets at home where I definately tip less). The servers always greeted us right away, brought drinks & refills, spent time telling us where things were, cleared dishes very frequently, and at Chef Mickey's always let us know when a character was coming (or wasn't and we had time to get food when we were gunshy) or when a special parade was starting. They were at our table MORE than waitresses at TS places which made me forget it was a buffet when I had to add on a tip. With service like that we always tipped over 15% when normally I'd tip 10-15% at a buffet.

 

[mmmears]

I know lots of peope here tip more, but we generally do 10-12% on a buffet, more if we have exceptional service. I realize that they clear away lots of dishes, but it's not as much work for them as a TS where they have to take orders, remember who ordered what, deliver food, etc. Also, generally at a buffet they cover more tables than they would otherwise -- so they can still make the same money in tips, just smaller amounts from a greater number of people. At home, there are restaurants here that have a printed statement saying to start at 10% for their servers if you do not order food at the table.

I think people should tip what they are comfortable with -- it's already kinda strange to go on percentages, since whether you order a salad or a lobster the waitress does the same amount of work. JMO.

 

[BlindTyldak]

We start at 5% for a buffet or TS (we always go on the DP so they're already getting plenty), but judge a little more harshly on a buffet considering more often than not a quick glance at our table is enough to tell if we need service. If I have to ask more than once for something (a refill, more room on the table, anything not available at the buffet itself) then I do not tip period (remember, they're already getting tipped through the DP, so don't slam me!). If they are very attentive and going over and above, such as offering suggestions on dishes to try, that tip goes higher just as quickly.

Were I paying OOP I'd start at 10% for a buffet and 20% for a TS, probably, but unless the server was attrocious I'd at least leave that 10%.

 

[travelitis]

When I've looked for tipping guidelines on the web, I've found you tip less for buffet. That's what I do as well. They don't do the same work as full service, so they don't get as big of a tip. If others feel differently, fine, but I'm not tipping 15%-20% for someone just to take a drink order while I negotiate my plate and assist kids with theirs.

 

[The Sweetness]

I tip equally, no matter what kind of TS restaurant it is. I keep thinking I wont bump up tips , as they will already get 18%, which wasnt decided by me (I'd have rather seen it be 20). But, I will give extra if the service seems exceptional, or if dd2 really embarasses me with the amount of food that winds up on the floor around her seat.