Tipping - Confused

[kamik86]

How much I tip really does depend on the service... The awful waitress I had at a local place the other night got just under 10%, great service can get 20-30% (partially depends on the total bill as 30% is more likely when at a business trip where we have split checks and the check was only $10 or we went to a place and only got dessert the other ones that sometimes get this much is the servers at places we go all the time and they know just how we like things, to the point that we don't even have to order and our drinks are being brought to us as we sit down)

A few other notes on what I do:
Problems with the food only cost the servers tip if its something they really should have noticed. If DH ordered barbecue sauce and was brought honey mustard yeah the server should have noticed. If a steak was ordered well done and its bloody on the plate its obviously not well cooked and they should know that. However if my medium steak is really well done... yeah I don't expect them to be able to tell that just by looking at it so unless they give me attitude about getting a new steak I won't change their tip.

Buffett places I will tip about the same as I do normally if its the kind of place that still does your drinks and keeps clearing plates. AT the kind of place where I get my own drinks and they just make rounds every so often to get plates I'll do a bit less.

 

[london75]

Nothing is as tricky as this. Went to a restaurant the other day (in UK) and were served by one of my daughter's school friend's mum! She was perfectly nice, she obviously felt a little uncomfortable but food was good and quick and I got a drink refill without asking.

How much do you tip her?

 

[wayneg]

Nothing is as tricky as this. Went to a restaurant the other day (in UK) and were served by one of my daughter's school friend's mum! She was perfectly nice, she obviously felt a little uncomfortable but food was good and quick and I got a drink refill without asking.

How much do you tip her?

Simple for me in UK, I just round upto the next £5. Saturday evening our bill came to £92, left £95. Even when I have known them they get just the same (usually Matts school friends working after school) They earn a minimum wage which is not much less than I earn.
My uncle won't leave a penny in this country or US, my Brother tips more than me. We are all different.

 

[madmumof2]

I actually think that buffet servers work harder than regular servers as they are constantly clearing plates, tidying tables and refilling drinks. It's not necessarily about how 'hard' it is anyway- it's customary to tip all servers, which includes those who work in a bar.

That's it though, server. I'm not served at a buffet, I get it myself. It's about what service I personally receive for me. They may have a non stop job but they may get paid more for all I know, that's not my responsibility to know.

As I said I tip if they re fill our drinks but since they're not serving 3-4 meals on top of refilling drinks like they do in table service restaurants they won't be getting the same % in tips as they've not done the same amount for us personally.

As for drinks, I've never actually gone to a bar in Florida yet, was too young in previous trips and my last trip was just me and my 2 children so it would have been irresponsible for me to drink. I still won't tip if we go this year. It's nice you get stronger drinks if you tip if that is actually what it is, nice bonus But if they serve drinks weaker than they should be if you don't tip I'd be kicking up a stink.

As Wayne said, we're all different, some people think buffet workers should get the same tips, I don't, some people like me think room service/maids deserve a tip as they're also on low wages, some don't. I'm guessing all workers will average about the same amount of tips from us overall

 

[RJMC]

We are a family of 6 - so we get the 18% automatically added to our bill

My questions i this - if a Disney server knows that they are going to get 18% top from us regardless - does that affect their level of service?

I know it shouldn't - but does it?

Also, if we do get terrible service, can you ask of the automatic tip of 18% to be lowered to 10% or something? How do you go about doing that?

 

[sjv919]

Not to interrupt or intrude, but I just wanted to say for people who may not know that here in the US, servers get taxed for min. 15% of every bill for tip, wether they get tipped less than that or not at all. Just wanted to pop in and leave that here

 

[2Tiggies]

I actually think that buffet servers work harder than regular servers as they are constantly clearing plates, tidying tables and refilling drinks. It's not necessarily about how 'hard' it is anyway- it's customary to tip all servers, which includes those who work in a bar.

Thank you Lauren

I completely agree with you!

I may be opening a can of worms here but it is customary to tip in the US. The USA is not Britain and if you go there, as far as I'm concerned, you go with the way things are done there. It is rude not to tip or to tip poorly without good reason. We can all have our opinions, and are entitled to them, but you tip properly there, end of story. We have had really good, and often outstanding service at all the WDW restaurants we've eaten at. British service? Well that's something that has a long way to go for the most part, by comparison!

 

[madmumof2]

I never tip in the UK, doesn't even occur to me.

 

[2Tiggies]

I never tip in the UK, doesn't even occur to me.

I always do, but that's a cultural thing having spent a good many years of my life living out of the UK. Besides, Britain does not have a tipping culture so I don't think there is anything wrong with you exercising your choice not to do so. Our staff are paid differently here and as said, it's just not the British way.

 

[wilma-bride]

That's it though, server. I'm not served at a buffet, I get it myself. It's about what service I personally receive for me. They may have a non stop job but they may get paid more for all I know, that's not my responsibility to know.

But they are providing you with a service by refilling your drinks and getting rid of empty plates. If they didn't clear plates and refill drinks, you would soon know about it.

As I said I tip if they re fill our drinks but since they're not serving 3-4 meals on top of refilling drinks like they do in table service restaurants they won't be getting the same % in tips as they've not done the same amount for us personally.

I totally agree that they shouldn't necessarily get the same percentage amount but they definitely should get a tip - we normally leave 10-15% at buffets, depending on how quickly/efficiently drinks were refilled and plates were cleared and whether we had any additional service. For example, a few years ago, we went to Crystal Palace for my DD's Birthday. Our server made a big thing of surprising DD with a cupcake and card signed by the characters. I know they do that for most people with a Birthday but he tried really hard t make it a surprise by waiting till she was away from the table, then putting it down at her place. He was so friendly and really went out of his way for us and he got a great tip. Other times, at Crystal Palace, we've had mediocre service, plates left on the table, had to ask for refills and only left 10% tip. It really depends. But we would always tip as we know that these people are being taxed as if they's already earned that tip.

As for drinks, I've never actually gone to a bar in Florida yet, was too young in previous trips and my last trip was just me and my 2 children so it would have been irresponsible for me to drink. I still won't tip if we go this year. It's nice you get stronger drinks if you tip if that is actually what it is, nice bonus But if they serve drinks weaker than they should be if you don't tip I'd be kicking up a stink.

I'm intrigued as to why it would be irresponsible to have a drink while on holiday with your two children

Regardless, whether you choose to tip or not, you will find that you get better service, a smile and probably some good conversation and stronger drinks if you tip. If you don't tip, you will still get professional and courteous service but, if I am going to a bar, I know what I would rather have

Some of our best times in Florida have been spent at the bar, chatting with the bartenders and getting a bit of inside info and an insight into what their lives are really like

 

[catherine]

We always tip at least 18% whether we are at a TS or buffet and have never tipped less at WDW. I think a lot of Americans at least a lot of the ones I know tip less, usually 15% for TS and less than that for a buffet. Mind you we always tip around 10-15% in the UK.

 

[wayneg]

We are a family of 6 - so we get the 18% automatically added to our bill

My questions i this - if a Disney server knows that they are going to get 18% top from us regardless - does that affect their level of service?

I know it shouldn't - but does it?

Also, if we do get terrible service, can you ask of the automatic tip of 18% to be lowered to 10% or something? How do you go about doing that?

Last year I didn't feel it made any difference, this year quite a few meals I would say it did, worst was Yak & Yeti, from taking the food order to our meals arriving the server was either looking after tables with small parties or nowhere to be seen, totally ignored us, glasses empty a good 10-15 mins. When the foo arrived I had to ask the girl to find our server for drinks as I had been waiting for a drink for over 10 mins.
Overall we felt this year was worse service & poorer menus, maybe we have done too much DDP last few years and ready for a change.

I couldn't be bothered for sake of a few $'s but don't see why you not. Tell them if you are not happy. I would if I was really unhappy about something.

 

[higgy66]

I never tip in the UK, doesn't even occur to me.

Wow! I've always tipped 10% of the bill in the UK long before I ever went to the States. I would only pay less if I'd had poor service

We nearly always source kids eat free vouchers so I always add a bit more so they haven't lost out.

I could not imagine getting up from a meal and not tipping - I would be so embarrassed

As a past bar maid I did find it odd tipping the bar staff every time I went up to the pool bar to get a drink as afterall I was walking up to them to get served. However we did and considering I ended up slightly tipsy by the end of the afternoon I now think Waynes theory of stronger drinks may have something to do with that!

Like everyone has said we're all different

 

[wideeyes]

I have always tipped 18% even at buffets. I tip bar staff too.

I tip a few £ at home.

 

[wayneg]

Wow! I've always tipped 10% of the bill in the UK long before I ever went to the States. I would only pay less if I'd had poor service

I think this varies a lot with areas of the country, before going to America I had never seen or heard of tipping in restaurants, its a few years ago (pre 1993) it was just not somthing done around here or at least in our family or group of friends. As I said my Uncle still won't tip either UK or US, his response is if they are not happy with the pay find another job(I have given up trying to explain the US system). My Brother moved away from this area (Wiltshire & London) and noticed a big difference in tipping down there, when he comes home and pays the bill they must love him.

 

[UKDEB]

That's it though, server. I'm not served at a buffet, I get it myself. It's about what service I personally receive for me. They may have a non stop job but they may get paid more for all I know, that's not my responsibility to know.

It's precisely that kind of attitude which gets us Brits a bad reputation. It's absolutely our responsibility to educate ourselves in the customs of places we choose to visit. The term server includes wait staff, bartenders and bussers (i.e. those who clear tables). In the US certain service positions are remunerated in part by the employer and in part by the recipient of the service. In order to encourage the very best service, the amount you choose to tip is discretionary. You're still expected to conform to the general guideline of 20% for exceptional service, 15% for sound service and 10% for poor service. You can't simply opt out.

 

[madmumof2]

I could not imagine getting up from a meal and not tipping - I would be so embarrassed

Why would you be embarrassed, it's not the norm for Brits to tip here, it's not our culture, most people do not tip in the UK.

It's precisely that kind of attitude which gets us Brits a bad reputation. It's absolutely our responsibility to educate ourselves in the customs of places we choose to visit. The term server includes wait staff, bartenders and bussers (i.e. those who clear tables). In the US certain service positions are remunerated in part by the employer and in part by the recipient of the service. In order to encourage the very best service, the amount you choose to tip is discretionary. You're still expected to conform to the general guideline of 20% for exceptional service, 15% for sound service and 10% for poor service. You can't simply opt out.

No, it's not. We don't have a tipping culture, as Wayne said, that doesn't mean we have a bad reputation, it's just what we do. Our staff are paid better and don't need tips, it's not the norm to tip here.

Neither is it my responsibility to know whether a buffet worker or a table service server is paid more than the other, absolutely none of my business or anyone else's.

I will tip for good service and am far from tight if you'd read my previous post. I tip extremely generously and much much higher than 20% if I have very good service so please don't tell me I am being a rude UK brit by not tipping someone who has done nothing personally for me.

I am fully aware of how US restaurant employees are paid, and considering they chose that position they should make sure the service they provide is exceptional every time to guarantee them tips. If they don't and are not very good then they can only blame themselves for not getting the tips they need. If they do their job well they will be tipped well, not really rocket science.

If I worked in a tipped position and relied on tips as heavily as they do I'd make damn sure I provided exceptional service every time. If I didn't and got rubbish tips that would be my own fault wouldn't it?

 

[madmumof2]

I think this varies a lot with areas of the country, before going to America I had never seen or heard of tipping in restaurants, its a few years ago (pre 1993) it was just not somthing done around here or at least in our family or group of friends. As I said my Uncle still won't tip either UK or US, his response is if they are not happy with the pay find another job(I have given up trying to explain the US system). My Brother moved away from this area (Wiltshire & London) and noticed a big difference in tipping down there, when he comes home and pays the bill they must love him.

You're right, I'd never heard of tipping until we went to America either. It's just not the done thing here.

 

[UKDEB]

madmumof2, you misinterpret most of what others say and contradict yourself. I could pick apart every aspect of your argument, but I have neither the time nor the inclination.

 

[madmumof2]

I don't think I do. I think it's rude when people don't tip house keeping, cleaning toilets and other horrible stuff, but I'm not ramming my opinion down Waynes throat, neither is he trying to make others feel bad for not tipping buffet staff.

You want to tip buffet staff, fine. I don't, unless they are re-filling drinks, fine. Lots of other don't. Not your problem. I tip house keeping. Others don't. Not my problem.

I tip generously for exceptional service, for when people are doing their job well, how unreasonable of me.