Talking of tipping - % to tip at buffets

[bicker]

That's a good point, and it also highlights a corollary. Restaurant servers and their advocates often defend their efforts to increase the percentages (from the standard 10% for buffets to 15%, and from the standard 15% for table service to 18% or 20% or higher) by asking, "When we restaurant servers get a pay increase?" However, the reality is that while the rest of us are at our employers' mercy when it comes to getting a pay increase, restaurant servers automatically get a pay increase whenever their employer increases prices. Their income is directly tied to the rate of inflation.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

I am generally a decent tipper (or at least I think so). I am a well educated person who worked as a server while an undergraduate. I can tell you that my current finance position is NOWHERE near as physically demanding as my server position was years ago. So I tend to tip towards the high end (20% always unless the service is horrible...then I stick to 15%) Buffet I tip the same.

I'd just like to say that NOBODY really gets a feel for how many rude/ignorant/ungrateful people servers really have to put up with UNLESS you've been a server. I'd venture a guess that approx. 25 -30% of the people that I waited on were polite, respectful, and "tippers" (usually 10 - 15% on average.) However the other 75% tipped under 10% or sometimes nothing at all. More important then the lack of tip... they were usually pretty miserable towards servers. I'm not sure what I hated more about serving...the lack of tips...or the inconsiderate attitude of the tables. Is it that hard to just add "please" to your requests or at least phrase it in a question? Meaning "Can I have another drink?" as opposed to the way many people treated us servers which was by obnoxiously snapping their fingers and yelling "Get me another drink". Seriously, you wouldn't believe the lack of respect for others that many people displayed.

Anyway - I try to tip a bit on the higher side to makeup for the fact that I know SOMEONE will just not tip at all.

(A bit off topic...but how can someone afford a thousand dollar vacation (often more) and daily $100 TS meals, but then use the excuse that they can't afford more than a $5 tip. That makes no sense to me?!?)

Servers work very hard... help them make a decent wage and tip 15% or more (providing they do their job with some sense of politeness of course.)

 

[bookgirl2632]

Isn't Ludacris a rapper? I think the word you were looking for is ludicrous.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ludicrous



T7G, 3rd Grade Spelling Bee Champion, reminding you to always be careful when playing with boomerangs.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Just one example of poor tippers you get on a daily basis.. The other day I had a group of 5 travelers from Canada, I gave them excellent service. Even offered to make them up some coffees for the road, the were traveling to Oklahoma. There bill was 45.00 do you know what they left me?????????


A whole 2.00 tip, I ran my butt off for them and I get 2.00. I just had to assume they did not understand our dollar system yet.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I'd just like to say that NOBODY really gets a feel for how many rude/ignorant/ungrateful people servers really have to put up with UNLESS you've been a server. I'd venture a guess that approx. 25 -30% of the people that I waited on were polite, respectful, and "tippers" (usually 10 - 15% on average.) However the other 75% tipped under 10% or sometimes nothing at all. More important then the lack of tip... they were usually pretty miserable towards servers. I'm not sure what I hated more about serving...the lack of tips...or the inconsiderate attitude of the tables. Is it that hard to just add "please" to your requests or at least phrase it in a question? Meaning "Can I have another drink?" as opposed to the way many people treated us servers which was by obnoxiously snapping their fingers and yelling "Get me another drink". Seriously, you wouldn't believe the lack of respect for others that many people displayed.

Anyway - I try to tip a bit on the higher side to makeup for the fact that I know SOMEONE will just not tip at all.

(A bit off topic...but how can someone afford a thousand dollar vacation (often more) and daily $100 TS meals, but then use the excuse that they can't afford more than a $5 tip. That makes no sense to me?!?)

Servers work very hard... help them make a decent wage and tip 15% or more (providing they do their job with some sense of politeness of course.)

Very well said. I'll admit that I've never been a server, but I have worked retail for the last 15 years and encounter much of the same rudeness that you illustrated in your post. This is why when I am at a restaurant, I say please when I would like the server to get something for me and I say thank you when they bring it. I can't tell you how many surprised looks I get from servers when I simply say thank you when they bring me a soda that I didn't even have to ask for.

Regardless of whether it's a buffet or not, I tip anywhere from 15% to 20% in the norm, though very rarely at that low end. I reserve the 15% tip for poor service. And if I get exceptional service, it can go higher than 20%. I know the stuff these servers have to put up with and sympathize wholeheartedly.

 

[That70sGuy]

I'd like for you all to know that despite my attempt to cover the sting of my last post with sarcastic humor, I did (rightfully) get a spanking for it, in the form of a private warning from the moderator.

Jodi, I respect the fact that you had to issue the warning (I'm a message board Admin, myself). After all, two wrongs don't make a right, and I'm fully aware of the rules against sarcasm. Know that your advice is well-taken.

And Princess, now that I've already done it, I stand by the point I was attempting to make (people in glass houses, and all that). Unfortunately, things just can't be unsaid. But I do admit that it wasn't really my place to make the point to you, much less to be snarky in doing so. I do hope you'll forgive me.


Mea Culpa

T7G

 

[Hodder]

I work in a pretty busy restaurant in Alabama. We are known for being cheap people around here. Traditional gratuity is 18%. That should be the minimum you EVER TIP ANY SERVER!!!!!!! We only get paid $2.13 an hour and if people don't tip well we don't even make minimum wage! So I always leave about 20% - 25% because I know how hard it is to make enough money to pay bills. Please tip all your servers at least 20% because we do have a harder job than you realize.

Do you mean the minimum EVER as in even if bad service? I know you have a hard job. Here it is 15% but the staff make minimum wage here as well ( I think it is $7 here now)

 

[Hodder]

Just one example of poor tippers you get on a daily basis.. The other day I had a group of 5 travelers from Canada, I gave them excellent service. Even offered to make them up some coffees for the road, the were traveling to Oklahoma. There bill was 45.00 do you know what they left me?????????


A whole 2.00 tip, I ran my butt off for them and I get 2.00. I just had to assume they did not understand our dollar system yet.

I had to reply to your post because it made me giggle.

Not use to your dollar system, do you think we pay here in beach rocks??? At one point I think they may have tried but too heavy in the pockets (good for windy day though...LOL)When I worked service I could talk about the people from -insert country here- but you know what we are all the same. Some people are tippers some are cheap.

 

[wilde_oscar]

...and does Ford's CEO deserve thousands a day for sending the company more and more down the drain? No, but thats what they get paid. You really can't look at simply their hourly wage while taking tables, as they have a lot of setup work, and closing work they do at $3 an hour.

Much as there is a differance in the skill between clearing plates and filling drinks at a buffet, and recomending a wine to go with the truffle sauce... running a Fortune 500 company pays what the market will bear. Even when the CEO is running the company into the ground, the skills set is vastly different then clearing plates from a table.

I am trying not to sound harsh here.... If you are so feed up with bad tippers, and the non-living wage that you are harping on... get an education, make the right friends, work the right jobs, and get yourself on the board at Disney. Or get better at your job... The servers I know that are good at what they do, pull down a nice income.

 

[DebbieB]

...and does Ford's CEO deserve thousands a day for sending the company more and more down the drain? No, but thats what they get paid. You really can't look at simply their hourly wage while taking tables, as they have a lot of setup work, and closing work they do at $3 an hour.

Their base salary maybe $3 an hour but even if they have tables with poor tippers, chances are they are making far more than most people with similiar skills. I have a friend who works direct care in a group home for retarded adults and she only makes $8 an hour, no tips. She lifts them out of their beds and into their baths, she feeds them, changes their diapers. Meanwhile, a server at a character dinner deserves a $24 tip for serving drinks and picking up plates for a table of 4 (20%)? 15% would be $18, still alot. Plus they are working several tables each hour.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Double Post..

 

[mom2my3kids]

I had to reply to your post because it made me giggle.

Not use to your dollar system, do you think we pay here in beach rocks??? At one point I think they may have tried but too heavy in the pockets (good for windy day though...LOL)When I worked service I could talk about the people from -insert country here- but you know what we are all the same. Some people are tippers some are cheap.

Beach Rocks..LMAO

 

[mom2my3kids]

Much as there is a differance in the skill between clearing plates and filling drinks at a buffet, and recomending a wine to go with the truffle sauce... running a Fortune 500 company pays what the market will bear. Even when the CEO is running the company into the ground, the skills set is vastly different then clearing plates from a table.

I am trying not to sound harsh here.... If you are so feed up with bad tippers, and the non-living wage that you are harping on... get an education, make the right friends, work the right jobs, and get yourself on the board at Disney. Or get better at your job... The servers I know that are good at what they do, pull down a nice income.

You can be the best server, bend the person over and kiss there butt and they can still leave you crap or nothing at all..

 

[TDC Nala]

I am curious, do those who see tipping as a wage supplement continue to tip 20 percent if the service is terrible? Not just a little off, not even just bad, but terrible.

 

[Disney8704]

Here is a helpful chart

http://www.itipping.com/tip-guide-restaurant.htm

We usually just tip $2 for buffets if there is someone to bring our drinks and refill them. If its a buffet where there is no waiter then we dont leave a tip.

 

[rewok]

Just one example of poor tippers you get on a daily basis.. The other day I had a group of 5 travelers from Canada, I gave them excellent service. Even offered to make them up some coffees for the road, the were traveling to Oklahoma. There bill was 45.00 do you know what they left me?????????


A whole 2.00 tip, I ran my butt off for them and I get 2.00. I just had to assume they did not understand our dollar system yet.

People in Canada are used to tip, and 15% is customary here, even if servers make minimum wage. And 15% of 45$USD is as easy to figure out as 15% of 45$CAD, just have to give out those green bills instead of colored ones! Our bills don't look the same, but we have the same system, we live just north of you. Please do not judge on that experience.

 

[juttawdw]

I live in the Netherlands, we don't tip normally at restaurants, because here they get full pay just over minimum wage. When we get very good service most people leave 1 or 2 € .
So going th WDW in september on DDP, can anyone explain who and how much i should tip?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Just one example of poor tippers you get on a daily basis.. The other day I had a group of 5 travelers from Canada, I gave them excellent service. Even offered to make them up some coffees for the road, the were traveling to Oklahoma. There bill was 45.00 do you know what they left me?????????

A whole 2.00 tip, I ran my butt off for them and I get 2.00. I just had to assume they did not understand our dollar system yet.

Some people, regardless of where they are from, don't tip (or tip very low).

I don't think that their being Canadian really had anything to do with it.

In fact, I have to say that some of the experiences of American servers seems extreme to what we are used to here in Canada. Our servers make a living wage and tipping is expected at or around the 15% rate.

My friend used to serve at a local fish and chip eatery (small, family owned, cheap food). It was not unusual for her (average waitress, even she admited that she wasn't great at it) to bring home $50 - $70 a night in tips (plus her wages).

I worked at an office where I was paid $10 an hour (oh, and I had to pay taxes on all of it, she never claimed all of her tips).

She used to laugh at how hard I worked and that I made less than her.

Although I understand tipping and do so appropriately, sorry, I'm not going to cry for anyone "who only makes $2.14 an hour" because actually what you make is $2.14 an hour PLUS tips. For a server to bring their wages up to minimum wage they only need to earn at most $4 an hour in tips.

 

[Disney8704]

Very well said! I dont get it why people make a huge deal when it comes to tipping. Tip what you want and what you can afford. Its that simple. You wanna leave $1 tip - go for it. You wanna leave a $20 tip - go for it. I know, they have to claim at least 8% of the bill to the IRS for taxes, but thats just how life is. EVERYONE pays taxes and all we are doing when it comes to giving tips is we are bascially paying the waiter or waitress taxes on the bill, so they dont have to. By the time they are done splitting the money and paying their 8% towards IRS, theres either nothing left or very little. But PLEASE people, stop making a huge deal about tipping and stop giving people a hard time when they dont tip the amount you think they should tip. I dont wanna hear about if they cant afford a good tip then they cant afford to go out to eat or to that place. What if they CAN afford to go out to eat and only can afford to leave a small tip. That shouldnt stop someone to go out to eat. Everyone needs to realize that just because someone leaves a small tip or no tip at all, they arent gonna go bankrupt. The normal server probably has at least 5 tables to wait on in 1 hr. Say everyone left $10 tips or more - thats at least $50 right there in 1 hr. What waiters need to start doing is stop expecting tips. This way they arent mad or upset when they get a small tip or no tip. They knew what they were getting themselves into when they took that job. Nobody forced them to take that job. Yeah sure they might bring you your food and etc. but what about the people who are cashiers at retail or grocery stores. Do you tip them for ringing your stuff up and bagging it for you? No. A lot of stores are starting to bring in self checkout registers, where the customer check themselves out and bag their own stuff. They have it at Kmart and Lowes so far (up here in DE anyway) and maybe more stores then that. Its been said that in the future cashiers will be completely fased out. So I stand by my point. Tip what you want and what you can afford. Dont break the bank by tipping something you cant afford. And another thing, do not feel cheap tipping only a few $. You are tipping what you feel they deserve and what you can tip. If the waiter doesnt like it, to bad. Tell them to be happy what they got. Its better then leaving no tip at all.

Some people, regardless of where they are from, don't tip (or tip very low).

I don't think that their being Canadian really had anything to do with it.

In fact, I have to say that some of the experiences of American servers seems extreme to what we are used to here in Canada. Our servers make a living wage and tipping is expected at or around the 15% rate.

My friend used to serve at a local fish and chip eatery (small, family owned, cheap food). It was not unusual for her (average waitress, even she admited that she wasn't great at it) to bring home $50 - $70 a night in tips (plus her wages).

I worked at an office where I was paid $10 an hour (oh, and I had to pay taxes on all of it, she never claimed all of her tips).

She used to laugh at how hard I worked and that I made less than her.

Although I understand tipping and do so appropriately, sorry, I'm not going to cry for anyone "who only makes $2.14 an hour" because actually what you make is $2.14 an hour PLUS tips. For a server to bring their wages up to minimum wage they only need to earn at most $4 an hour in tips.

 

[rolshuk]

I think the wages system for servers is well over due for a rethink in the USA.
Why should people have to pay an extra 20% for a tip?
Who makes all the profit on these expensive meals...Disney.
Disney should pay the servers a decent minimum wage...like the do here in the UK,that way any tips are for excellent service not because we feel we have to make up for crummy wages.