Tipping at buffets

[Freyja]

I was always taught that 10% is a good tip at a buffet. You are getting your own food. The servers are just filling drinks and removing plates.

Many on these boards will try to shame people who don't tip the same at regular TS vs. buffet. "Oh, but they work so hard." A lot of people work hard. But like I said, I am getting my own food, so it is a buffet, and most tipping guidelines will say 10% at a buffet. I don't believe in throwing money around just to do it, even if it is a WDW.

I think it´s interesting that you consider it "throwing money around". But, then again, like I said earlier, it´s not like my family of 6 (soon to be 7) has a choice to tip under 18%. I guess I just kind of find it strange that you have the choice to leave nothing, 5%, 10% or whatever you want, while I only have the choice to pay more than 18%. But hey, that´s not your fault.

 

[Pumbaa_]

We will be a party of nine as well, but asking for seperate checks for each family (2) will they add 18% to both????

Yes they will, you will still be a party of 9, just paying on 2 checks

 

[joedadof3]

I think 10% is a fair tip for a buffet...lets see.... a family of 5 has a bill at say average $30 at a dinner buffett=$150....$15 tip to bring sodas and clear plates..very fair( how many people leave an extra tip for a busboy at a restaraunt at home?) Just because it is Disney ....lets still think rationally.

 

[mickeynut1]

We tip the same (18-20%) just like we do a regular TS. Like a pp stated....the waitstaff works just as hard at a buffet as they do elsewhere (atleast in our experiences).

 

[Island Mouse]

Interesting comment considering that tips are not very common in most parts of Europe, and actually non existent in very many countries in Europe. Most Europeans I know refer to the US as the "biggest tippers of all".

Tipping in Europe is not the same as here in the US, but in many European countries, gratuities are included in the price of the meals. So whether you leave 18% on the table in the US or eat at a restaurant in Germany where an 18% gratuity has already been included in the price of your jaegerschnitzel, the end result is still the same.

And FWIW, I tip the same for all TS whether it is buffet or not. But really that is because I judge my level of service based on how long I have to wait for a refill on my drink. I don't mind waiting a while for food, but I HATE waiting for a drink. It doesn't take much to please me, and I do appreciate the proactive servers who don't wait for me to ask for a refill when my glass has been sitting empty while the server has passed by the table more than once. If they bring me a refill without even asking, or ask if I need a refill, I usually feel I had pretty good service, regardless of how everything else turned out. It's all about being "Johnny on the spot" with the drinks for me. LOL

 

[dioxide45]

Then I recommend avoiding most of Europe.

I didn't have a tip automatically added in Paris, though I don't know if it was included in the price of the food. I wasn't even able to add it to my charge when I paid. They didn't have an extra line and total like in the US. I ended up tipping euro.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Then I recommend avoiding most of Europe.

That's fine. Every year we discuss Europe and we always nix it to go back to Disney!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I think it´s interesting that you consider it "throwing money around".

I don't consider tipping as "throwing money around." Tipping restaurant servers is customary here, and like many customs there are certain "rules of thumb" and guidelines to help out. If the rule of thumb is to tip 15-20% of the bill (before tax) at a full service restaurant then that's the rule of thumb I follow -15% minimum up to 20% based on the service. If the rule of thumb is to tip 10% at a buffet then that's the rule of thumb I follow.

But here on the DIS I often see people saying they start at 20% and go up from there, no matter whether a full service or a buffet. Since that is higher than the rule of thumb I personally consider it "throwing money around." If others make the informed decision to do that it is their business. I just want to make sure that someone who doesn't know these guidelines doesn't think they have to tip so much. Like a PP said, let's be rational even if it is WDW.

At $30 a head for a buffet 10% is $3pp. That's $12 for a table of 4. I think that's plenty to bring me a drink or two and take my plates away. I would be happy to get it! And before it's asked, yes, I have waited tables.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

...then that's the rule of thumb I follow.

Ah...but everyone has thumbs...therefore, many rules of thumbs.

 

[amandelba]

We tip the same at buffets as we do at regular service, typically 20%. In fact the way we eat (and waste food) at buffets, they tend to have to work a lot harder. As long as they're friendly, accomodating and keep our glasses full and our dirty plates clear, I think 20% is appropriate.

 

[srwarden1928]

We tip 15% for table service & 10% for the buffets. It makes no logical sense that the percentage needs to go up. As the price of the food goes up, so does the tip. Disney has some expensive restaurants and most definately some of the most expensive buffets that we eat at. Since we pay more, we tip more.

 

[MagicalEars]

We tip 15% for table service & 10% for the buffets. It makes no logical sense that the percentage needs to go up. As the price of the food goes up, so does the tip. Disney has some expensive restaurants and most definately some of the most expensive buffets that we eat at. Since we pay more, we tip more.

Exactly! The price of food continues to go up (seems even more so at Disney), therefor the tip goes up. Like a PP said earlier, 10%, 15% and now 20%. What's next, 50%?!? *buzzer sounds* I don't think so.

As far as tipping goes at a buffet, I have to agree with another PP and say that I start at zero and work my way up from there. I don't tip the bus boy, and I highly doubt anyone else does, why should I shell out money for it just because I'm at Disney? Yeah, yeah I know, they work hard for their money (which is debatable and depends so much on the service expected and received) but so do I, and I just don't hand my money out to anyone for anything.

f everyone adopted a similar attitude to yours, Disney wouldn't need to consider automatic gratuity. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there could be so many reasons to not tip or tip little, until the topic arose in masses on the DIS. It's the guests that rationlize reasons for not tipping appropriately that will bring about the 18% mandatory gratuity, if/when WDW deems it necessary.

Sorry, but I really have to lol at this.
So when Disney decides to add a mandatory 18% to our meals, it's all our faults for being more selective about how much and why we tip? If that's the case then I'm guilty, cause I tip based on the service and what I can afford. If that's not enough and Disney demands a certain amount of tip then I'll be eating allot of CS meals and smuggling in PB&J, and believe me, there are many places on the human body you can hide a PB&J. In all seriousness let's face facts. The economy sucks and most people have less and less disposable income then they did even a year ago. Gas, ultilities and food prices continue to skyrocket, yet our income doesn't adjust to match. So where expected to pay more for all those and then shell out a mandatory 18% gratuity? Sorry, but my income didn't go up 18% and neither will my tip.

Also there are many reasons to not tip or tip very little, and as such it should be completely up to the family getting the service how much the service was worth and what they can afford. Many families are on a budget and can't afford to tip 20% because someone apparently deemed it "rule of thumb" to do so. Phhfffft! Unless they make it punishable by law and include jail time, I don't think there is any "rule" for tipping. Plus I have two thumbs and sometimes they argue about which rule is right. They've even been known to thumb wrestle over it.

 

[suprgrlx]

believe me, there are many places on the human body you can hide a PB&J

That's awesome! You should make a list!!

Seriously though, I've always had a problem with using percentages for tipping guidelines. I do it, since you're expected to, but it bothers me. Why should someone working the $10 meal at Ponderosa get less than the person working the $20 meal at the Marriott who in turn gets less than the person working the $40 meal at Disney? It doesn't make sense!

If all of these people give good service, why should we penalize those who are working at cheaper establishments? If anything, I would think their base pay would be more likely to be less anyway.

Again, I'm not advocating trying to under-tip servers. However, I just wish there was a better way to do it than base it on the cheque. If anything, a buffet/sit-down distinction makes much more sense - since then it's based on a difference in duties rather than a difference in the food appearing on the plate.

 

[belleatheart]

I don't tip the bus boy, and I highly doubt anyone else does, why should I shell out money for it just because I'm at Disney? Yeah, yeah I know, they work hard for their money (which is debatable and depends so much on the service expected and received) but so do I, and I just don't hand my money out to anyone for anything.

Little do you know that you are actually tipping the busboys. I am a waitress and at the end of the night we have to tip out, and its your total sales and each person gets a percentage, some nights the busboys will walk out with more than we do. Also speaking from a waitress point of view we do work hard, we are managing many tables keeping everything straight, and have alot to remember and what not. They are not only keeping your tables clean and drinks refilled but working with those that need special accomadations and what not. It is not easy being a waitress at times. The nicer you are to the waitress the nicer she will be back, you do not know what kind of day it is and yet they always have to keep a smile on their face

 

[shellybaxter]

Exactly! The price of food continues to go up (seems even more so at Disney), therefor the tip goes up. Like a PP said earlier, 10%, 15% and now 20%. What's next, 50%?!? *buzzer sounds* I don't think so.

As far as tipping goes at a buffet, I have to agree with another PP and say that I start at zero and work my way up from there. I don't tip the bus boy, and I highly doubt anyone else does, why should I shell out money for it just because I'm at Disney? Yeah, yeah I know, they work hard for their money (which is debatable and depends so much on the service expected and received) but so do I, and I just don't hand my money out to anyone for anything.


Sorry, but I really have to lol at this.
So when Disney decides to add a mandatory 18% to our meals, it's all our faults for being more selective about how much and why we tip? If that's the case then I'm guilty, cause I tip based on the service and what I can afford. If that's not enough and Disney demands a certain amount of tip then I'll be eating allot of CS meals and smuggling in PB&J, and believe me, there are many places on the human body you can hide a PB&J. In all seriousness let's face facts. The economy sucks and most people have less and less disposable income then they did even a year ago. Gas, ultilities and food prices continue to skyrocket, yet our income doesn't adjust to match. So where expected to pay more for all those and then shell out a mandatory 18% gratuity? Sorry, but my income didn't go up 18% and neither will my tip.

Also there are many reasons to not tip or tip very little, and as such it should be completely up to the family getting the service how much the service was worth and what they can afford. Many families are on a budget and can't afford to tip 20% because someone apparently deemed it "rule of thumb" to do so. Phhfffft! Unless they make it punishable by law and include jail time, I don't think there is any "rule" for tipping. Plus I have two thumbs and sometimes they argue about which rule is right. They've even been known to thumb wrestle over it.

I'd be right there with you on the tipping for service and what you can afford thing except for the sub minimum wage laws that exist in Florida (and most of the country I believe). We as a society have determined that part of a servers salary should be paid in tips (I don't necessarily agree but in a democracy we live with the rules made by our representatives) and therefore I feel compelled to tip based on custom as much as service. Those who make the laws and set the sub minimum wage expect that we will tip at a certain level so I feel obligated to do so.

 

[Freyja]

Exactly! The price of food continues to go up (seems even more so at Disney), therefor the tip goes up. Like a PP said earlier, 10%, 15% and now 20%. What's next, 50%?!? *buzzer sounds* I don't think so.

As far as tipping goes at a buffet, I have to agree with another PP and say that I start at zero and work my way up from there. I don't tip the bus boy, and I highly doubt anyone else does, why should I shell out money for it just because I'm at Disney? Yeah, yeah I know, they work hard for their money (which is debatable and depends so much on the service expected and received) but so do I, and I just don't hand my money out to anyone for anything.


Sorry, but I really have to lol at this.
So when Disney decides to add a mandatory 18% to our meals, it's all our faults for being more selective about how much and why we tip? If that's the case then I'm guilty, cause I tip based on the service and what I can afford. If that's not enough and Disney demands a certain amount of tip then I'll be eating allot of CS meals and smuggling in PB&J, and believe me, there are many places on the human body you can hide a PB&J. In all seriousness let's face facts. The economy sucks and most people have less and less disposable income then they did even a year ago. Gas, ultilities and food prices continue to skyrocket, yet our income doesn't adjust to match. So where expected to pay more for all those and then shell out a mandatory 18% gratuity? Sorry, but my income didn't go up 18% and neither will my tip.

Also there are many reasons to not tip or tip very little, and as such it should be completely up to the family getting the service how much the service was worth and what they can afford. Many families are on a budget and can't afford to tip 20% because someone apparently deemed it "rule of thumb" to do so. Phhfffft! Unless they make it punishable by law and include jail time, I don't think there is any "rule" for tipping. Plus I have two thumbs and sometimes they argue about which rule is right. They've even been known to thumb wrestle over it.

Just a quick reminder that the 18% gratuity is already mandatory to my, and many others, meal at Disney!

 

[MagicalEars]

That's awesome! You should make a list!!

I have a feeling that may get me banned from the boards and the state of Florida.

Little do you know that you are actually tipping the busboys. I am a waitress and at the end of the night we have to tip out, and its your total sales and each person gets a percentage, some nights the busboys will walk out with more than we do. Also speaking from a waitress point of view we do work hard, we are managing many tables keeping everything straight, and have alot to remember and what not. They are not only keeping your tables clean and drinks refilled but working with those that need special accomadations and what not. It is not easy being a waitress at times. The nicer you are to the waitress the nicer she will be back, you do not know what kind of day it is and yet they always have to keep a smile on their face

You know if you break the busboys kneecaps he'll be less likely to want some of your tip.
Seriously though, I don't want you to think that I mean you and all waitresses don't work hard. However I'm probably jaded since I live in New Jersey, home of the nicest people on earth.<-----sarcasm Servers here are like "What? What you want yo? Can't you see I'm busy talking to my peeps. Get your own *&%# water." I just meant that not all servers care to do their job or work hard, and thus should get a tip just because someone is on vacation.

I'd be right there with you on the tipping for service and what you can afford thing except for the sub minimum wage laws that exist in Florida (and most of the country I believe). We as a society have determined that part of a servers salary should be paid in tips (I don't necessarily agree but in a democracy we live with the rules made by our representatives) and therefore I feel compelled to tip based on custom as much as service. Those who make the laws and set the sub minimum wage expect that we will tip at a certain level so I feel obligated to do so.

Now isn't that so stupid that it's like this? I've never thought servers should get sub minimum wage, let alone minimum wage, and have to rely on tips. Especially since allot of the time customers will take into account the food when tipping.

Just a quick reminder that the 18% gratuity is already mandatory to my, and many others, meal at Disney!

Another thing I think is stupid. Just because you have six or more in your party doesn't always mean the server works harder than one serving a family of 3. Let's face it, we've all seen servers be less than magical at Disney whether they were serving 1 or 20 guests. I also look at it as a large family is being penalized (God that doesn't look like it's spelled right....) for being together. "Hey you! Because you have four kids you now are going to be charged a mandatory tip because of the work you'll put us through. Shame on you for having so many children and bringing them to Disney. For shame!"

 

[dbriggsq]

:


Another thing I think is stupid. Just because you have six or more in your party doesn't always mean the server works harder than one serving a family of 3. Let's face it, we've all seen servers be less than magical at Disney whether they were serving 1 or 20 guests. I also look at it as a large family is being penalized (God that doesn't look like it's spelled right....) for being together. "Hey you! Because you have four kids you now are going to be charged a mandatory tip because of the work you'll put us through. Shame on you for having so many children and bringing them to Disney. For shame!"

My thoughts exactly - we have 5 children and will be a party of 10 with their 'extras' - our tip will amount to buying 2 extra meals - it's bad enough paying for 10 let alone 12. Coming from the UK we are not used to drinks being filled so don't expect that (and usually don't get it) and I usually stack empty plates anyway (being on automatic pilot) - so our servers don't get that much to do and I normally tip 10%. Now I have to tip 18% - yes I know I can ask to have it removed but how embarrasing would that be - and we Brits don't like to make a fuss

There has been a big hoo-haa here about one restaurant chain paying below our minimum wage and making up the difference with tips - the general thinking was that this was 'a bad thing'.

I've posted this before but it sums up my feelings. From an article in the Wall Street Journal:

When tipping first caught on in the U.S., late in the 19th century, it was the old-world, aristocratic overtones of the practice that drew the most ire. An 1897 editorial in the New York Times declared tipping to be the “vilest of imported vices.” The paper lamented not only that “we have men among us servile enough to accept their earnings in this form” but that others were willing “to reward the servility.” Joining the chorus against “flunkyism,” the Washington Post denounced tipping as “one of the most insidious and one of the most malignant evils” of modern life. Tipping was seen to foster a lord-and-vassal relationship that the prouder professions resisted. Well into the 1910s many bartenders refused gratuities as an insult to their status.
It’s not that we tip waiters because they are paid so little; they are paid so little because they can expect to make up the difference in tips. Starbucks is known for paying relatively well and providing respectable benefits. Yet, without the tip-jar take, the company would have to raise its wages commensurately to maintain the same caliber of employees. Perhaps prices would rise too, but I suspect many would be happy to have the full, unambiguous cost of the transaction up on the board. As things stand, the tip jar subsidizes the company’s payroll costs. So when you toss a dollar into the cup, you’re really making a donation to Starbucks — and I can think of needier beneficiaries.

It's an outdated and old-fashioned pratice and we should make a start on phasing it out and getting employers to pay their staff properly.

 

[Andy B]

Then I recommend avoiding most of Europe.

Really, tipping is far more expected in the USA than Europe and certainly is at a higher level in the USA.

Also why should the tipping percentage have increased over the years, the food cost has increased and so therefore would the tip so the percentage does not need to increase.

 

[Wistful_Thinking]

Just an Observation....

This discussion is analogous to people vacationing in a gambling venue. I have never any one person I know returning from Vegas saying: "I lost (fill in dollar amount here) in Vegas." It's always "I made $500" or "I just broke even" or "I paid my expenses with what I won". Those people in Vegas must be giving money away. ....Or people are just too embarassed to admit to loosing their money. I wish a server working at WDW would chime in here and tell us all what the tipping is really like at WDW and how much of the tip actually ends up in their wallet.

IMHO, tipping has become mostly peer pressure and to leave it to the individual is wrong. I wish restaurants would charge for the meal accordingly and pay their waitstaff a decent wage. Then, if I wanted to give the server an additional tip for great service, sobeit. Don't shame me into paying an outrageous tip for poor service because it is the servers only source of income. After all, I am not their employer!