Tipping at buffets

[NikP]

We tip the standard 15-18%. Those servers make like $2.50 an hour. They have to pay tax on their sales, whether they get a tip or not. That is the law. I was a server for 6 years. It was brutal, I had times that I busted my butt and still got stiffed. Oh and one little extra "tip" cash tips are always better than credit card tips, they have to claim ALL the c.c. tips, they don't have to w/ cash they just have to claim the standard %.

I likely shouldn't be posting here on this thread, I am Canadian and I had no idea that your servers make only $2.50 /per hour. This in itself is a crime. I now see why you tip so high at restaurants. Tipping in the US is so different than here. Many places you are not allow to tip! (Outside of restaurants)

 

[n3rf]

I likely shouldn't be posting here on this thread, I am Canadian and I had no idea that your servers make only $2.50 /per hour. This in itself is a crime. I now see why you tip so high at restaurants. Tipping in the US is so different than here. Many places you are not allow to tip! (Outside of restaurants)

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.

 

[TommyTutone]

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.

Not quite true. All servers can be paid directly by their employer at a rate less than minimum wage in the US as long as their tips bring them up to at least minimum wage.

That said, normally I tip 13-15% on a buffet, but for a Disney buffet that runs $27, I would tip closer to 10%, although keep in mind that if you have a party of six or more then they will assess an automatic 18% tip, even if they split up the bill.

 

[Dopey420]

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.

WRONG! Servers DO make $2.50/hour at most restaurants.

Bartenders usually make minimum wage ($6.75/hr)

 

[n3rf]

WRONG! Servers DO make $2.50/hour at most restaurants.

Bartenders usually make minimum wage ($6.75/hr)

how is that even possible ....that is actually very sad i had no idea their was a workaround the minimum wage....im glad i learned this now, will be alot more considerate when im at any restaurant where the staff is good/excellent with service and try to be abit more generous as well.

 

[JB2K]

So I like to leave a little extra to make up for the jerks that think they can leave nothing(or cr*p) cause they picked out their own food and think that's all the waitress does.

Nice job of alienating so many people in such a short time...

It seems that everyone on this board has their own definition of what's tippable and what's not.

Some people here, tend to forget there is a "regional divide" -- many people from all over the U.S. only tip for traditional, TS restaraunts.

I'm sure our friends from abroad are scratching their heads, too (as tipping is not customary in many foreign countries, like Japan, for instance).

If you want to add 20-25% on your check, knock yourself out -- but don't berate those who don't (in the end, the waitress is probably doing better than you -- she works for Disney, for pete's sake!).

As for my tipping habits, I guess am one of those "jerks" in your "cr*p" category, when it comes to buffets.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

Nice job of alienating so many people in such a short time...

It seems that everyone on this board has their own definition of what's tippable and what's not.

Some people here, tend to forget there is a "regional divide" -- many people from all over the U.S. only tip for traditional, TS restaraunts.

I'm sure our friends from abroad are scratching their heads, too (as tipping is not customary in many foreign countries, like Japan, for instance).

If you want to add 20-25% on your check, knock yourself out -- but don't berate those who don't (in the end, the waitress is probably doing better than you -- she works for Disney, for pete's sake!).

As for my tipping habits, I guess am one of those "jerks" in your "cr*p" category, when it comes to buffets.

You are WAY too sensitive...not to mention if you paid any attention to the other posts, you would see where I explained that I wasn't referring to anyone on here.

I was referring to the people I have seen in buffets around my state who make their waitress bust their butt and leave nothing cause "Hey, it's a buffet, she didn't bring my food, why should I tip her?". I'm sorry if you took a personal affront to my post because you did not equip yourself with the entire conversation.

Where in my post did I say "you're a jerk if you don't tip 20-25%?" Oh, that's right, I didn't...I said that I do. Nowhere did I say that I expected anyone else to.

Although it is quite interesting that that's what you derived from it.

As for the foriegn friends, i'm sure they are scratching their heads, but guess what? You're not in a foriegn country, you're in the US where tipping IS customary when it is warranted.

And i'm sure that the Disney waitresses make more than I do... DUH! They DO work at Disney! But to have the attitude that they make enough money already so it's ok to leave nothing? That's totally wrong, and with enough customers like that, I probably make more than they do some days.

And my husband used to be one of those people who never tipped at buffets as well. You better believe that when he realized how much they got paid and all the work they did(more than a regular waitress), he started.

Anyways, I'm done. This was interesting and I thank you for giving me something to talk about later.

 

[KigerKat]

I will tip 20% for a full-service restaurant, but I don't see why I should have to tip the same at a place where I serve myself. I understand that they will come around and refill your drinks and get other things for you and I should leave something, but it won't be equal to what I leave in a full-service place. Usually around 10%, but if it truly is outstanding service then I could see leaving more.

 

[dizzy203]

how is that even possible ....that is actually very sad i had no idea their was a workaround the minimum wage.

It isn't really a workaround, it's part of the law. Many people don't realize that there's really different minimum wages...fed min/state min/tipped min/youth min...etc

Florida's info:
Employers of "tipped employees" who meet eligibility requirements for the tip credit under the FLSA, may count tips actually received as wages under the FLSA. However, the employer must pay "tipped employees" a direct wage. The direct wage is calculated as equal to the minimum wage ($6.79) minus the 2003 tip credit ($3.02), or a direct hourly wage of $3.77 as of January 1, 2008.
As a former waitress (from my teen years), if I pay with a credit card I always leave my tip in cash.

 

[RMeyers]

What about the Kitchen Staff who keep the buffet stocked? Do they get a cut of the tips made by the wait staff? If so, then the tip in my opinion should equal table service restaurants.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

What about the Kitchen Staff who keep the buffet stocked? Do they get a cut of the tips made by the wait staff? If so, then the tip in my opinion should equal table service restaurants.

I don't know about other places, but I know in places I worked at they did. We had to tip out to the hostess, busser, bartender, and a kitchen pool that gets split by the kitchen.

 

[WillCAD]

I tip based on the level of service I receive.

If the server does an adequate job, they get 10% at a buffet and 15% at a TS, rounded UP to the next even dollar.

If they do an exemplary job, or if my party is an especially difficult one (such as any time I dine out with my deat old Dad), I'll boost that to 12% at buffets or 18% at TS.

If they really do an extraordinary job, or if my party causes a real commotion ot makes a real mess, I'll go to 15% at buffets or 20% at TS. I have gone as high as 25% at a TS on rare occasions. A few weeks ago I went to 20% at a Golden Coral because it was packed, yet the server kept filling our drinks, bringing plates, and clearing dirty plates as though we were the only table she had.

If the service is less than adequate, I'll leave a smaller tip. The worse the service is, the smaller the tip will be. I've never left without leaving any tip, but once at 'Ohana I left about $1.50 on a $30 meal because the service sucked; it was so bad that I would have spoken to the manager, but I was in a big hurry to make a MouseFest meet and didn't have time.

I sympathise with those who wait tables for a living; it's a tough job. But if my server does a lousy job, they'll get a lousy tip; I'm not going to fork over my hard-earned cash just because I feel sorry for someone having a tough job. I have a tough job, too, you know.

Having a difficult job is no excuse for doing your job pooly. Do it well, I'll show my appreciation. Do it badly, I'll show my lack of appreciation.

 

[KigerKat]

And like a poster said ealier, she does more work than a regular waitress does. She has to get the order, get the drinks, take away your dozens of dirty plates, refill your drinks, refill the buffet with hot food, come get more dirty plates, you get the idea....lol

I have to disagree with you a little...I used to be a waitress, and a regular table-service server does way more work than a buffet server: Greet customers, get drink order; Bring drinks, take appetizer order and/or food order; Prepare and bring out salads or soups if ordered; Bring out appetizers if ordered; Bring our entrees; Remove all dirty dishes from table whiles guests are there; Take dessert order; Bring out desserts if ordered; Remove dessert dishes; Bring check; Pick up check; Bring back change or credit card receipt for signature. And if the meal was cooked wrong or something was left off, it's the server that has to hear the complaint and try to fix it. Plus, customers must wait for their meal to be prepared and if there is a problem in the kitchen it's the server that must try to fix things.

A buffet puts the labor on the customer: (This is in most buffets I've eaten at) 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; if the customer wants dessert they pick it up themselves; payment is usually done before sitting down so once the customer is finished they leave. I have seen buffet servers refill drinks or take away dishes, but these are only a few tasks a table service server would be responsible for. Of course, there are many buffet servers that go above and beyond the call of duty - and they should be rewarded for it. But I don't believe in tipping the same amount for less than half the work.

And I don't want to cause any trouble here, I just wanted to express my opinion as to why I only tip 10% at a buffet.

I'll go back in my corner now....

 

[wendy3]

Interesting thread - and a real hot button topic for a lot of people! Personally, I think everyone should be a waiter/waitress at least once in their life, and try to make ends meet on their salary plus tips (or at least read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich). A nice little lesson in empathy. Plus, it's always better to argue your point when you actually know what you are talking about from a position of experience.

My two cents worth? I always tip 20%, more for great service, less for not so great service. Being a waitress is what kept me motivated to finish college!

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

it depends. If *I* get all drinks, and food and whatnot,I dont leave much for someone that just clears a table.

 

[Millie12591]

WRONG! Servers DO make $2.50/hour at most restaurants.

Bartenders usually make minimum wage ($6.75/hr)

It's true, when I was working as a waitress we made 2.10 an hour plus tips, which they taxed us at 13% even if we didn't make tips. I think they were robbing us, but they could do it. Now this was back in 1989, glad to see they've at least brought it up to 2.50. Whew whoooo! LOL

 

[Dopey420]

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!

 

[kimsuenew]

What is customary for a tip when you eat buffet style? I know normally your tip needs to 15%,18%, or 20% depending on where you eat. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

We always tip 20% (often 20% plus... depending on the level of service). It does not matter if it is full-service or buffet.

 

[WillCAD]

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 don't think I look like a jerk if I tip less for poor service, nor do I think I look like a jerk for tipping less at a self-service buffet than I do at a full-service restaurant.

Nor do I think I'm a jerk for tipping 15% at a full-service restaurant instead of 20%; if you want to be more generous, that's up to you, but don't imply that I look like a jerk for being a little more frugal and responsible with the money I bust my hump every day to earn.

And for a little more math, let's add up the vacation meals of the family of 4 from your example over a week-long WDW trip:

$20 breakfast
$15 lunch
$25 dinner
-------------
$60 per day

The above numbers are averages, and I think they're a bit conservative, considering the cost of lunch at H&V or dinner at 'Ohana can be substantially higher than the numbers above. But we'll go with $60 as the average cost per person, per day, for meals at WDW.


YOUR TIPPING RECOMMENDATION:
20% tip - $12
$12 * 4 people = $48 per day
$48 * 7 days = $336


DDP TIPPING RECOMMENDATION:
18% tip - $10.80
$10.80 * 4 people = $43.20 per day
$43.20 * 7 days = $302.40
Difference between 20% and 18% tip over 7 days - $33.6

MY TIPPING STANDARD:
15% tip - $9
$9 * 4 people = $36 per day
$36 * 7 days = $252
Difference between 20% and 15% tip over 7 days - $84
Difference between 18% and 15% tip over 7 days - $50.40

For $84 I'll let you look classier than me.

 

[patti_jim_peanut]

I don't think I look like a jerk if I tip less for poor service, nor do I think I look like a jerk for tipping less at a self-service buffet than I do at a full-service restaurant.

Nor do I think I'm a jerk for tipping 15% at a full-service restaurant instead of 20%; if you want to be more generous, that's up to you, but don't imply that I look like a jerk for being a little more frugal and responsible with the money I bust my hump every day to earn.

And for a little more math, let's add up the vacation meals of the family of 4 from your example over a week-long WDW trip:

$20 breakfast
$15 lunch
$25 dinner
-------------
$60 per day

The above numbers are averages, and I think they're a bit conservative, considering the cost of lunch at H&V or dinner at 'Ohana can be substantially higher than the numbers above. But we'll go with $60 as the average cost per person, per day, for meals at WDW.


YOUR TIPPING RECOMMENDATION:
20% tip - $12
$12 * 4 people = $48 per day
$48 * 7 days = $336


DDP TIPPING RECOMMENDATION:
18% tip - $10.80
$10.80 * 4 people = $43.20 per day
$43.20 * 7 days = $302.40
Difference between 20% and 18% tip over 7 days - $33.6

MY TIPPING STANDARD:
15% tip - $9
$9 * 4 people = $36 per day
$36 * 7 days = $252
Difference between 20% and 15% tip over 7 days - $84
Difference between 18% and 15% tip over 7 days - $50.40

For $84 I'll let you look classier than me.

So you eat table service meals, or somewhere that you are expected to tip 3 times a day, everyday? That's crazy! We eat table service maybe three times throughout our whole trip and counter service the rest of the time. We have other things that we'd rather spend our money on than over priced, average food

Oh, and I just have to put this in!!

4 more days until me and my DD5 take on the world!!