Odd question...oddly guilty!

[Priorityonecb]

My next trip will be my first solo trip! I plan to get the QS dining plan, but plan to pay OOP for TS twice.

I am a very light eater. At Kona for example, I can only eat the crab cake appetizer and be full. This is not due to any frugality on my part, I just don't eat a lot at once.

Oddly, I am feeling guilty about "taking" a TS reservation slot from a family for just little ole me. Then, I am feeling oddly guilty that I will be "stiffing" the waiter by only ordering an appetizer and not a full meal, with dessert to base the tip off of. I can tip heavily to compensate, but am I going to irritate the server during the meal by only ordering a drink and an appetizer?

Am I overthinking this all?

 

[winterman]

You are beyond overthinking - relax and do what you want to do. It is YOUR vacation.
DW and I will visit table service restaurants and order an appy and a cocktail.
DW has never met a dessert menu that she could pass on, so she orders dessert.
I can recommend the crab cakes, they are very good.

Have a great trip and enjoy YOURSELF!!

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I don't see any problem. When I worked at R&C, I had plenty of guests who ordered just an appetizer. Just order it as your entree. Seriously, don't worry about it, it happens a lot!

 

[DiZBrad11]

That is a very good question I would assume it is the same as everyday restaurants as I have gone out and only ordered an appetizer and a drink but I have left a Nice tip! like I usually leave 25-50% tip on the bill because I feel bad that I took up a table of theirs for like 30-45mins sometimes in which they could've had a family.

I did this once at Sanaa in which my ex g/f doesn't like that kind of food and I had made the reservation already well, I changed it to a party of 1 since I had heard great things of this restaurant. I was a little offended because when the waiter came to my table she said wow! your here all alone, that sucks! well, I was like that's not very nice and not very respectful either... well she brought me a free glass of wine so I was happy. lol! I ate this which was an Entree

Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned
Choice of two served with Basmati Rice or Five-grain pilaf
$18.99

Chicken with Red Curry Sauce
Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce
Beef Short Ribs
Coconut-Curry Lamb

and I chose the chicken and the shrimp with the Pilaf which was amazing!!!

The waiter after making up for the little comment earlier. lol! was amazingly attentive so I ended up leaving him a $15 tip in which she told me if I wanted to stay for a little and she brought me another glass of wine for free I was soooooo

I believe as long as you tip them well they wont be upset!

 

[moray26]

That's crazy talk, you're not "taking" a reservation slot. You have just as much right to eat at a restaurant by yourself as a group of 16 does. I'm a light eater too...no apologies necessary, I'm sure you're waiter will more than make up for your light appetite on a larger family later in the day who will each order appetizers, entrees, and desserts and pay OOP. That's no reason for you to a) not enjoy yourself; b) not eat where you want to eat; and c) not receive the same treatment as a 4 person family or as a solo person ordering a full meal.

I've eaten more meals at WDW table service restaurants solo than I have with other people - trust me, you are a valued guest no matter what you order or where you go. Have fun!!!

 

[JimmyV]

Then, I am feeling oddly guilty that I will be "stiffing" the waiter by only ordering an appetizer and not a full meal, with dessert to base the tip off of. I can tip heavily to compensate, but am I going to irritate the server during the meal by only ordering a drink and an appetizer?

I have never waited tables at WDW so I don't know how it works, but in many places, tips are pooled exactly to account for this. One's income should not be dictated by the "roll of the dice" of whether the four top of high rollers gets assigned to your area as opposed to the one top who just wants a small salad and water. Bottom line. It is your vacation. Do what you want.

 

[smidgy]

when I have solo diners at the restaurant where I work, I would never comment on it. but I DO try to spend a little time chatting with them, if it seems like they want to, and I have the time.

every customer is valued, and should be treated so! (chances are, they will sit you at a small table for 2 anyway, so the server will only be "missing out" on one customer, not a whole family)

single people are allowed to eat too!!!

 

[smidgy]

oh yeah, as far as the tip is concerned:

it's nice if you tip a little extra, just like people often do if they take up a table for a long time over numerous coffee refills and conversation, but you don't have to. and don't feel guilty.

the hostess "plays fair" with the servers, when seating people and will likely give that server a bigger table to compensate.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Thank you everyone! I am glad to hear from those of you who have been waiters that I won't be upsetting the waiter by ordering a small amount! I will definitely tip well! I am not used to dining/traveling solo so it's good to hear that it's considered more normal than I thought!