My Tipping Experience

[Tricia1972]

If you want to leave cash as a tip instead of charging to your room key, do you have to tell the server first? This will be our first trip on site and we have free dinning. So I'm at a loss of what to do!
I'm trying to stay on a budget so I don't want my room charges to get out of hand!

You simply write CASH on the tip line when you receive the bill. Assuming you are a party of 5 or less. If you are a party of 6 or more you'll be charged an auto gratuity of 18% that will show on the bill. You may pay for that portion of the bill in cash if you desire.

 

[anonymousegirl]

It wasn't at Disney, but I had such poor service at a restaurant once that I made them remove the automatic 18% tip.

We were a party of seven, having dinner before going to a play. 2 of us were late and the others had already ordered dinner by the time we arrived. The hostess seated the two of us, without menus. We could not get anyone's attention for 5 minutes. I asked our friends to point out our server, and they couldn't. One person had seated them, one person had taken the drinks orders (which still hadn't arrived 15 minutes later) and another had taken the food orders.

Finally get a menu, but then can't get anyone to take our order and I am not shy about grabbing any server and asking them to get our server. Eventually, I get up and ask the hostess to find our server and send him/her over. Have to speak with the manager eventually. Get the last two orders placed and here comes the food for our friends (still no drinks!)

Insist on drinks, and they come along with the last food ordered (we had skipped starters so we could catch up with the rest of the group and not miss our play). Two people reorder drinks. I am watching the time and realize that with how things are going we should ask for the bill now. We fianlly get a server to bring the bill. Still no drinks for those who had ordered a second glass of wine. But they were on the bill. I had had enough and insisted on speaking to the manager. I had him remove the extra drinks that had never arrived and had him remove the 18% tip. If I had had my way, we would have left no tip at all, but others in my group didn't want to do that. So we left a small tip, which was completely undeserved, IMO.

Now let me say that we were not in a huge rush. The play was a block away and we had our tickets and we had allowed 90 minutes to eat. The majority of our party were seated at 6:30 and the last two at 6:45. We made no subsitutions or special requests.The fact that it was like pulling teeth to find anyone to serve us anything (menus, drinks, food) was what annoyed me the most. If it had just been my DH and I, we would have left. I live in an area blessed with excellent and numerous restuarants. I do not need to deal with poor service like this. And none of my friends have gone back either. So their poor service cost them 14 returning guests.

And the worst of it is that I spoke with the manager half-way through this debacle. Any halfway decent manager is going to light a fire under the backsides of his staff and make sure there are no more problems with our table. Had he done that I would have no problem leaving the tip as it was and maybe returning to give them another chance. Vent over.

 

[TheRatPack]

"How do you plan to pay for the tip madam?" I hadn't even had a chance to take a bite of my dessert yet, so it left me with a bad taste. The only times he ever approached my table was when he took my order and when he came back to ask for his tip.

Umm, with my imaginary Visa...it's the card I always use to pay for IMAGINARY service LOL

 

[jennwndrlnd]

If you treat them as absolutely separate reservations - don't check in together, don't request to be seated near each other, leave it all to chance - fine.

Just so you know...
Parties of six or more diners are assessed the automatic service charge.
If your party consists of at least six people and you all sit together, no-brainer. Automatic S/C.
If your party is seated at two or more tables but with the same server, again, automatic S/C.
If you sit at separate tables and have different servers, the tip is at your discretion.

I'm sure we will check in together, however we are staying in three different rooms, have three different last names, and have three separate reservation numbers. We haven't asked to be near one another specifically because this will be a break for all of us from each other, and some time for us to be with our family units. For 7 meals we are sitting together for 3 meals, maybe 4. We will be with each other for cs meals, and walking the parks.

I've been a server, a bartender, and a buser, so I whole-heartedly agree that when you get good service you tip accordingly. I just feel that it should be at an individuals discretion to how they perceived service to be and to get to choose how they wish to give a gratuity.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We're probably thinking the same way but, to be safe, yes, check in consecutively - not one person from each party forming a loose half-circle in front of the podium, but in a line, one after the other.

 

[jennwndrlnd]

When did a 15% tip become insulting? I asked this on another thread and no one answered so I will ask again on this one where people seem to be more open. Specifically for a buffet, let's say our tab comes to $278 (pretty typical for 8+1 child at Disney), is it that horrible to leave $42 instead of $50 or more? Most in our party leave 18-20%, but it seems to me that now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon that if you don't then you shouldn't be going out to eat. I'm not talking about stellar service, I'm talking about a server that comes and takes plates occasionally and refills drinks at his/her leisure. What do you all think?

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

When did a 15% tip become insulting? I asked this on another thread and no one answered so I will ask again on this one where people seem to be more open. Specifically for a buffet, let's say our tab comes to $278 (pretty typical for 8+1 child at Disney), is it that horrible to leave $42 instead of $50 or more? Most in our party leave 18-20%, but it seems to me that now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon that if you don't then you shouldn't be going out to eat. I'm not talking about stellar service, I'm talking about a server that comes and takes plates occasionally and refills drinks at his/her leisure. What do you all think?

Well, I am not a US resident and, at the same time, live in a country where US$50 would be considered a fourth of the monthly minimum wage.

That said, what irks me, whether in my country or anywhere else is that, as I wrote on a previous post, people seem to think that they are ENTITLED to a (hefty) tip, no matter what the service level is. I work in the IT field. I am not waiting for a bonus just because I get to my work on time and fill my prescribed eight hours of daily work. I hope for a bonus only if my works goes “up and beyond of the call of duty”.

I know that in the service industry the wages are low but, at least in my opinion, that only obliges oneself to do that “extra” effort”.

Maybe it is malady of the times. People believe that they are just entitled to anything.


Sorry about the “un-Disney” rant.

Regards,
Luis

 

[SoonipiLady]

When did a 15% tip become insulting? I asked this on another thread and no one answered so I will ask again on this one where people seem to be more open. Specifically for a buffet, let's say our tab comes to $278 (pretty typical for 8+1 child at Disney), is it that horrible to leave $42 instead of $50 or more? Most in our party leave 18-20%, but it seems to me that now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon that if you don't then you shouldn't be going out to eat. I'm not talking about stellar service, I'm talking about a server that comes and takes plates occasionally and refills drinks at his/her leisure. What do you all think?

it truley annoys me!!! I work really hard and am great at what I do! I have chosen this as my career, not a part-time, temporary thing. It always amazes me when someone I work with will complain about a 16 or even 18% tip. Meanwhile, I've delivered their drinks while they're outside smoking or calling their boy/girlfriend on their cell phone. I've refilled their customer's water while they're standing in the wait station texting their friends making plans for after work. And don't for one minute that MY tables don't notice, and it affects (in a good way) the tip they leave me!

I regularly make 22-25% because of my work ethic. When I don't, I don't blame it on "cheap customers" or worse "the kitchen" or "the bartender". I know it was because I wasn't doing MY job!!! Most people just want to be re-assured that you are doing everything in your power to make their meal enjoyable. They don't you expect you to cook their meal, or make their drink, but they do expect you to keep them comfortable and informed while they are waiting.

There is the occassional customer who expects you to move the world for them, but those people just don't get my energy, (good or bad). If I get 15% from those, I consider myself blessed.

I certainly don't whine about 15%! EVER!! And I certainly don't feel entitled to a 20% tip, I expect that I will have to earn it!! (of course I also don't feel I'm entitled to a 3500 square foot home, or a new car every two years either, but I digress.)


Karen

 

[Tiger926]

It's interesting that Boma & Tutto were mentioned for bad service as we have received bad service at those two restaurants too. We've eaten at both of them multiple times over past few years in order to give them chances to improve (when Tutto was Alfredo) - just returned and these two are off the list. Obviously they have management or server issues as bad service has been consistent for us here, as well as other poster. Bad service: bussing our own tables, problems with being seated, disapperaing servers, forgetting stuff, no refills, etc.

Tiger

 

[jennwndrlnd]

Well, I am not a US resident and, at the same time, live in a country where US$50 would be considered a fourth of the monthly minimum wage.

That said, what irks me, whether in my country or anywhere else is that, as I wrote on a previous post, people seem to think that they are ENTITLED to a (hefty) tip, no matter what the service level is. I work in the IT field. I am not waiting for a bonus just because I get to my work on time and fill my prescribed eight hours of daily work. I hope for a bonus only if my works goes “up and beyond of the call of duty”.

I know that in the service industry the wages are low but, at least in my opinion, that only obliges oneself to do that “extra” effort”.

Maybe it is malady of the times. People believe that they are just entitled to anything.


Sorry about the “un-Disney” rant.

Regards,
Luis

Thanks for your reply (and you too SoonipiLady!), but it goes beyond the servers. It seems that CUSTOMERS feel that if you go into a restaurant to eat then you need to leave a predetermined amount as gratuity for service. As I said, I wasn't talking about stellar service or even regular service- I was talking about buffet dining and a waiter/waitress that would come around and take plates and give refills. I just think if I believe that person did a great job and deserves 18-20% then it is up to ME to make that choice to leave it. I don't understand why 15% is now bad for that specific type of service.

 

[ohiojoy]

For buffets you don't need to tip 18%. Remember you're doing most of the work yourself by getting the food and drinks, plates, and silverware. They're basically just cleaning up after you. It's okay to leave a little less at buffets because of this so don't feel bad about doing that.

 

[ratty 987]

hi we are traveling from the uk-i can not belive how much you guys tip -in england any server ould be lucky to get $10 at the most-we are going for 21 nights -which we have saved every penny for a year-abd not bugeted so much for tips-it is going to make us very uncomfatable

 

[DiszyDean]

hi we are traveling from the uk-i can not belive how much you guys tip -in england any server ould be lucky to get $10 at the most-we are going for 21 nights -which we have saved every penny for a year-abd not bugeted so much for tips-it is going to make us very uncomfatable

Whether or not it makes you uncomfortable to tip the standard, traditional amount for good service here in the states, you still need to plan and budget to do just that. "When in Rome"...

 

[epcot.girl]

With tipping I apply the same rule everywhere I go - the better the service, the better the tip. I keep a general idea of percentages in mind, but I don't consider them hard and fast rules. If I get bad service I don't tip (this has only happened to me once in the US though - we usually get excellent servers while we're there).

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

Whether or not it makes you uncomfortable to tip the standard, traditional amount for good service here in the states, you still need to plan and budget to do just that. "When in Rome"...

http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=86997DiszyDean,

Although for our family US tips tend to be high, I agree with the "When in Rome..." sentence. That said, what would be the standard (baseline) tip percent in Rome, er, the US?

Regards,

Luis

 

[DiszyDean]

http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=86997DiszyDean,

Although for our family US tips tend to be high, I agree with the "When in Rome..." sentence. That said, what would be the standard (baseline) tip percent in Rome, er, the US?

Regards,

Luis

For the United States, the standard tip for good service is between 15% and 20% of the pre-tax food and beverage bill. Anything in that range is acceptable.

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

For the United States, the standard tip for good service is between 15% and 20% of the pre-tax food and beverage bill. Anything in that range is acceptable.

Thanks for the info. Any idea about what would be the proper tip for the ME airport bus (we are a family of 4: 2 adults/2 children)


Regards,

Luis.

 

[aubriee]

Thanks for the info. Any idea about what would be the proper tip for the ME airport bus (we are a family of 4: 2 adults/2 children)


Regards,

Luis.

If he puts your luggage underneath the bus, the standard tip is $1.00-$2.00/bag. If you don't put anything under the bus, then tipping is not required, but would be appreciated (couple bucks maybe?). Basically anytime anyone touches your bags (in your presence) you tip $1.00-$2.00/bag. If your bags are being picked up behind the scenes and being delivered to your room by DME, then Disney is already handling the tip for that luggage.

 

[aubriee]

For buffets you don't need to tip 18%. Remember you're doing most of the work yourself by getting the food and drinks, plates, and silverware. They're basically just cleaning up after you. It's okay to leave a little less at buffets because of this so don't feel bad about doing that.

Everyone has there own opinions and that's fine, but I disagree with this. Those waiters at buffets usually have more tables and work just as hard as any other waiter. They are refilling glasses and removing dirty plates at a furious pace. We took my husband and father-in-law to Ryan's Steakhouse yesterday. That poor waitress definitely earned her 20% tip. She kept us supplied in hot rolls and butter, kept our tea glasses filled, and picked up our plates as soon as we took the last bite off them. My son, husband, and father-in-law each dirtied four plates (a salad plate, two regular plates, and a dessert plate). My mom and I each used three plates (salad, regular, and dessert). She was very pleasant and informative and also took the time to laugh and show an interest in my elderly F-I-L and mom. We had no problem tipping her 20%. She earned it.

We start at 20% and the tip can go up or down from there, depending on the service we receive and regardless of whether the restaurant is a regular sit down or a buffet.

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

If he puts your luggage underneath the bus, the standard tip is $1.00-$2.00/bag. If you don't put anything under the bus, then tipping is not required, but would be appreciated (couple bucks maybe?). Basically anytime anyone touches your bags (in your presence) you tip $1.00-$2.00/bag. If your bags are being picked up behind the scenes and being delivered to your room by DME, then Disney is already handling the tip for that luggage.

Thanks aubriee, I better cram everything in a bag, then...

(Just joking, we usually begin with 2/3 bags and return with one more (we belong to "Disney Shoppers Anony mous(e)" )

Regards,

Luis