Tipping at buffets

[patti_jim_peanut]

I never get over how cheap some people are.

Let's say your meal is $20.

20% is $4 (for you non-math people out there)
10% is $2

Are you really so cheap that you would make yourself look like a jerk for $2? And if you have a family of four, you're gonna make them all look like jerks for $8?

Not me. For 2 bucks, I look classy and you look like a jerk.

Money well spent. LOL!

I would be so embarassed to leave $3 on a $20 tab... No matter what my bill is unless it's just a cup of coffee, I never leave less than $2.

I also tip 20-25% on average, maybe a little less for not so great service.

Another great thing if your server gives you great service, call over the manager and tell them how great of a job they're doing.

 

[creativeamanda]

 

[logansmummy]

Uhhhh that would be a negative, that is a state/federal hourly rate. Servers have never made minimum wage.......they are usually under $2.50. It really STINKS!

Actually they dont make $2.50 /per hour since that would be a federal crime, they should at a mininmum be making minimum wage, which not sure what it is in FL but in CA its 7.75 which is still very very low when you consider rent prices, fuel, food etc. But yeah reason most like to tip abit highter then the standard 15% is mostly out of generousity which is wonderful.

 

[mikehn]

Why does anyone care what someone else tips? Tip whatever the heck you want.

 

[chief19spixi]

Why does anyone care what someone else tips? Tip whatever the heck you want.

Great point!

 

[nebo]

Customers get their own drinks; pick out their own food, so there is no chance of a wrong order; food is already cooked and ready to go - no waiting; payment is usually done before sitting down so once the customer is finished they leave. .

I work at a full service restaurant, but sundays we have a buffet. customers do NOT get their own drinks. we take their drink order, and continue to do so throughout their meal. the food is continuously cooked throughout the day, and we refill, and address any food issues. we write up a check, give them a bill, and collect payment. (NOT paid ahead of time) one needs to check out how any particular buffet works.

Why does anyone care what someone else tips? Tip whatever the heck you want.

I care what other people tip because this is how I make my living. the more word "gets out" that we make less than minimum wage and depend on tips to pay our bills, the better for all of us in the restaurant business. and of course I would never expect anyone to tip well for lousy service! (I just wish I could pay less at the grocery store if my cashier is rude, or pay less in property taxes if my child has a poor teacher, or... etc. etc. )

 

[KigerKat]

I work at a full service restaurant, but sundays we have a buffet. customers do NOT get their own drinks. we take their drink order, and continue to do so throughout their meal. the food is continuously cooked throughout the day, and we refill, and address any food issues. we write up a check, give them a bill, and collect payment. (NOT paid ahead of time) one needs to check out how any particular buffet works.

See the rest of my post...I said this is how it is at most of the buffets I've been to. I guess I haven't been to yours. And you're saying you do just as much work as you would a during a full table service meal? I could understand being just as busy because you have more tables assigned to you, but you don't do everything with buffet customers that you would do for full table service customers.

Have some more popcorn, everyone!

And I have never agreed with how much servers are paid hourly - I think it's ridiculous! And I also don't agree with pooling tips. I think whatever tips a server collects is based on the quality of service that person provides, and they should have the right to keep that money and not split it with other people who do make more hourly (I'm talking about bussers, dishwashers...). But the point is that you choose to work at job that pays you such a low hourly wage. And let's face it, servers never report exactly how much they make in tips so they also don't have to pay as much in taxes. Granted, that's become more difficult now that most people tip on their credit card and there's more of a paper trail, but I've never known a server to report every penny of their cash tips (this is from my own experience as a server and still knowing many, many people who work as servers). I'm not saying that you do this, but it's general knowledge that *most* of servers do this.

The bottom line is if you choose to work a job that pays so little hourly, you should not automatically expect all of your customers to always pay 20%, no matter what the service or how much work is done. My opinion (and answer for OP) is that I pay 10% at buffets because I do not feel the same amount of work is being done. But if I'm at a Disney buffet, and the CM goes way out of their way to make my dining experience "magical," then yes, I'll tip more. But I don't walk in there with that expectation when I know that I'm going to serve myself.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

I care what other people tip because this is how I make my living. the more word "gets out" that we make less than minimum wage and depend on tips to pay our bills, the better for all of us in the restaurant business. and of course I would never expect anyone to tip well for lousy service! (I just wish I could pay less at the grocery store if my cashier is rude, or pay less in property taxes if my child has a poor teacher, or... etc. etc. )

I totally agree! I would be getting my groceries for free! No, wait a minute...they would be paying me to shop there!

I've resorted to driving 30 minutes away from home to do my shopping cause everytime I go into my local grocery store, it's the same rude people...everyday! It's irritating...

 

[smidgy]

firstly, I am smidgy. nebo is hubby, and I mistakenly posted under his name before. sorry honey!
yes, kigerkat, I know you said MOST buffets. which was why I pointed out that not all buffets are the same. just for clarification. and I do agree that it is more work for full service than buffet. It's just that I never worked buffets until recently, and until then I also only tipped 10%. I was surprised at how much work it was. I guess I would tip 15% for buffets and 20% for full service (assuming, obviously, good service)
as for CHOOSING a job that I know pays less than minimum wage: I actually chose a job that I know pays MORE than minimum wage, tips included, which everyone (at least in this culture, I know foriegn tourists may be unaware) knows and considers to be part of their bill when they dine out. servers are not necessarily the poor and uneducated who can't find any other work. often we choose this profession because we are "people" people, who enjoy showing others a good time. I have also been a bartender, who makes more an hour than servers, but still depends on tips, but less so.
again, I think it would be amusing if many other professionals were paid the same way.("assuming good service"; i.e.; "I asked that clerk for help and she didn't help me adequately, I think I will only pay $14.99 instead of $20.99 for this shirt".
sorry, getting off topic. we were talking about tipping at buffets, not tipping in general.

 

[TaraPA]

I never get over how cheap some people are.

Let's say your meal is $20.

20% is $4 (for you non-math people out there)
10% is $2

Are you really so cheap that you would make yourself look like a jerk for $2? And if you have a family of four, you're gonna make them all look like jerks for $8?

Not me. For 2 bucks, I look classy and you look like a jerk.

Money well spent. LOL!

Geez you may look classy in the restaraunt throwing your money around but your post makes you look like a jerk on here.

 

[jinia]

Geez you may look classy in the restaraunt throwing your money around but your post makes you look like a jerk on here.

 

[smidgy]

Geez you may look classy in the restaraunt throwing your money around but your post makes you look like a jerk on here.

I don't care who "looks" like a jerk . you two can fight your own battle. i just know I am BEAT! my knees are killing me. I spent my morning serving the buffet. until 2pm. then regular menu from 2 until 9 pm, but with all you can eat chicken. still "breaking down" the buffet. all the side work included.. bussing tables.. cleaning up an hour and a half after close.

all I cansay is .... If you want to tip decently, do so, if not, don't. you'll still get the same exceptional service from me. (and I hope to work for Disney someday soon). and this is the job I CHOOSE to work.. there are enough onderful customers that make it woth my while!!!

 

[KigerKat]

I don't care who "looks" like a jerk . you two can fight your own battle. i just know I am BEAT! my knees are killing me. I spent my morning serving the buffet. until 2pm. then regular menu from 2 until 9 pm, but with all you can eat chicken. still "breaking down" the buffet. all the side work included.. bussing tables.. cleaning up an hour and a half after close.

all I cansay is .... If you want to tip decently, do so, if not, don't. you'll still get the same exceptional service from me. (and I hope to work for Disney someday soon). and this is the job I CHOOSE to work.. there are enough onderful customers that make it woth my while!!!

Hey smidgy - I didn't want you to think that I was insulting you in any way. I know servers work very hard for what they earn, and many of them can make a great living at it. There are just many servers out there who expect and think they are entitled to 20% tips, no matter how much work is done and then go around complaining about what little money they make. You must be one of the few exceptions!

I wish you luck, and hope to see you working for Disney soon! (From a former Chicago native!!)

 

[beattyfamily]

We tip 20% for good service at all types of restaurant meals.

At every single buffet at DISNEY the waiter/waitress gets you your drinks.

We are talking about Disney, right?

 

[TaraPA]

all I cansay is .... If you want to tip decently, do so, if not, don't. you'll still get the same exceptional service from me. (and I hope to work for Disney someday soon). and this is the job I CHOOSE to work.. there are enough onderful customers that make it woth my while!!!

You are the exception then smidgy. Kudos to you. What gets people riled up on these threads is the servers that come on here whining "pity me I'm working so hard all day for $2 an hour so you HAVE to tip me, I EXPECT it and I'm ENTITLED to it purely because of my pay scale. I can't pay my bills without tips so you MUST do it regardless of the service I give you. I'm entitled!" NO ONE is entitled to anything. I also choose to work a low-paying job and there are days where I bust my butt for 10 hours, on my feet, up & down ladders, on my "A" game making everyone happy even when they're disgruntled & screaming at me...never once have I ever expected anything more than my hourly pay. I do it because I enjoy it, and if I couldn't pay the bills from it then I wouldn't expext others to compensate me by tipping to make up for it, I'd simply find a better paying job.

Bottom line it just seems that a few servers think they're entitled to full tips at all times no matter what service they give/provide & they spoil it for the good servers out there who really should be tipped higher than the norm. If you can't make ends meat from your pay & tips then you need to start re-thinking your job instead of expecting a handout/tip from others & whining about it!

That's my opinion & I'm ENTITLED to it!

 

[smidgy]

Hey smidgy - I didn't want you to think that I was insulting you in any way. I know servers work very hard for what they earn, and many of them can make a great living at it. There are just many servers out there who expect and think they are entitled to 20% tips, no matter how much work is done and then go around complaining about what little money they make. You must be one of the few exceptions!

I wish you luck, and hope to see you working for Disney soon! (From a former Chicago native!!)[/QUOTE


thank you, I loved your response, and when the housing market gets better, hubby and will be selling our house here in chitown and moving down, hopefully working for disney! and if Disney sees fit to hire me, you will get EXCEPTIONAL service, regardless of the tip

You are the exception then smidgy. Kudos to you. What gets people riled up on these threads is the servers that come on here whining "pity me I'm working so hard all day for $2 an hour so you HAVE to tip me, I EXPECT it and I'm ENTITLED to it purely because of my pay scale. I can't pay my bills without tips so you MUST do it regardless of the service I give you. I'm entitled!" NO ONE is entitled to anything. I also choose to work a low-paying job and there are days where I bust my butt for 10 hours, on my feet, up & down ladders, on my "A" game making everyone happy even when they're disgruntled & screaming at me...never once have I ever expected anything more than my hourly pay.
Bottom line it just seems that a few servers think they're entitled to full tips at all times no matter what service they give/provide & they spoil it for the good servers out there who really should be tipped higher than the norm. If you can't make ends meat from your pay & tips then you need to start re-thinking your job instead of expecting a handout/tip from others & whining about it!

OK... I thought about it....hhhhmmmm......... NAH.... I still like my CHOSEN PROFESSION. and I don't expect handouts. ... and I don't think I'll whine either
I think I will continue providing wonderful service to my customers, whatever their tips. (I have a couple who ALWAYS ask to sit in my station; a sweet little old couple... we chat.. they grew up in the same area of Chicago I did; they always tip 10% only. they are elderly and don't know any better.) (and don't forget I give up my turn in the waitress rotation when they come in!, and the 8top that comes in next goes to the next waitress!, who might very well tip 20% ) that's what I get for being friendly........ but... they keep coming back... and we are a TEAM... the whole restaurant. maybe they might tell their friends, who might tip more., maybe not. but I CHOSE to give these people a fine dining experience...... that's MY job.:wooho

 

[smidgy]

I tried to fix it, and made it worse!!!! let this be the COMIC RELIEF on this thread! not trying to be repetitive, just should leave posting to hubby ,,, nebo.... OK eveerybody laugh now (if you REALLY want to laugh, read Nebo's report...shameless ad here!)

 

[smidgy]

I promise to not try to fix it again!!! only if you guys promise to laugh! and spread pixie dust. (and NOT tell Nebo how I screwed up my post!!! )

 

[disneyrabbit]

(in the end, the waitress is probably doing better than you -- she works for Disney, for pete's sake!).

If you think that all Disney waitstaff are raking in the dough, you are sadly mistaken. I have friends who are waitstaff @ Disney, and say that the majority of people tip worse at Disney than at a regular restaurant (on the average).

 

[wendy3]

If you think that all Disney waitstaff are raking in the dough, you are sadly mistaken. I have friends who are waitstaff @ Disney, and say that the majority of people tip worse at Disney than at a regular restaurant (on the average).

That's sad. I assume if you can afford Disney, you can afford a decent tip for your waitstaff (only for great service, of course - we can all agree on that). I'm sure that some people are stretch so far financially to afford Disney that they have to watch every dime and tips get cut along with everything else.

Are there any jobs out there that are perfect? (Sign me up). I work long hours (10-15 hour days) for low pay, too. However, I am my own boss, set my own hours, and work out of my home. Bottom line is we choose our jobs and we are free to walk when the suckiness outweights the benefits.