tipping opinions

[luvsTink]

Hello all,
I am just curious about others tipping habits.

Do you tip the same at full service restraunts vs. buffets?

If not, how do you determine (I have my own opinions, but I want to hear yours first )

Anne

 

[Gaiusrex]

I tip the same at full service restraunts and buffets. Each has its challenges, and they both should work just as hard.

BTW I have donned my asbestos underwear in anticipation of what will follow.

 

[Chuck S]

I generally do tip a little less at buffets. Usually 20% at full service, 15% at buffets, if the server is attentive with beverage refills.

 

[RebelHawk]

I have to agree that I tend to tip less at a buffet in comparison to a sit down meal

I start with a base of 20% for sit down and 10% at a buffet and let the servers work their way up or down from there based off of service I receive.

 

[webray]

We tip the same..base of 20% and work up/down depending on the service.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Same as webray.

 

[CamColt]

Same as webray & Peter

 

[Anne745]

We generally tip between 15-20% at sit down meals and 10-15% at buffet meals.

 

[LuvTigger]

I tip the same at a buffet only if I receive I receive the service I would at full service (with the exception of being served food, of course).

I've been to some buffets where there practically is no service (have to flag down someone for a drink refill, etc.), and I've been to others where the servers go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need, take plates away efficiently, and refill drinks without having to be asked, which I feel warrants a tip equivalent of what I would tip at a full service restaurant.

 

[Brian Noble]

I start at 20% for sit-down, 15% for buffet. I'm a softy, though, so it's pretty easy to get me to go higher if I'm given good service. I rarely go lower, but have been known to do it once or twice if the server really screws up.

 

[frannn]

I also tip a bit less at the buffet than sit down, unless I am given eatraordinary service at the buffet.

 

[wildernessbride52105]

I'm a waitress so I see my share of poor tipping. I usually get a 20-30% tip. Yet there are times I don't even get $1. You have to keep in mind that waitress's only make $2.83 an hour, in PA at least, and we work for tips. Some people just don't get that. I say, "if you can't afford to leave a tip, got to McDonalds!"

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I tip at least 15% at either type of restaurant, unless it's the type of buffet that the server doesn't even clear dishes (not the WDW type buffets, the service is usually good there). I adjust the tip according to the service, but I suppose I'm more likely to leave more at a full-serve restaurant. I'd say at least 15% at buffets and 18% at full serve.

T&B

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

20% at full service and buffet.

Unless it has changed, in FL wait staff makes $2.13 and hour. Then they usually has to tip out bus boys, bartenders, food runners...plus I always feel like I have to make up for the schmo who only tips $1!!!

I won't even lower that if the server screws up as long as he/she has a good attitude. Have you ever been to a restaurant where the server acts like he/she is doing you such a favor by waiting on you? Even then, my "punishment" is usually 15%!

 

[Brian Noble]

Bad attitude but timely, correct service: good tip. (You don't need to be my friend if you get my order right and get my food to me when I'm ready to eat it.)

Good attitude but flawed service: good tip. (If the kitchen is screwed up, but you are doing your best to make things work out, it's not your fault. If you do make a mistake, but apologize and work hard to correct it, that's okay too.)

Bad (or indifferent) attitude and flawed service: not a good tip.

As an example, we recently ate at a Chili's. If you've been to a Chili's, you know that, in general, they focus on table turnover, and if there is an error in timing, it is usually that food comes out too quickly rather than not quickly enough. 30 minutes pass after ordering, we ask our mostly absent waiter when the food might be out. 40 minutes, we ask again. Burgers come out, no fries (apparently, none were ready). He comes back to check on us, we remind him there are no fries. End of the meal: no fries. We sit around for a few minutes after the busboy clears our table, and then have to ask for the check. No apology. Nothing offered for the fries that never came. And, to add insult to injury, he had the nerve to ask me if I needed change.

Needless to say, I was not in a giving mood by the end of the meal.

 

[Lewski709]

I tip less at a buffet and 15% at sit down with good service. DH always throws in a couple extra bucks making it around 20-25%. Sometimes buffets I don't even tip at. Some buffets you get your own drinks and they just take the plates. No tip there.

 

[skiwee1]

I start at 20% for both. Good or or not so great service gets you more or less. I have found that the servers at Disney buffets were just as hard as ones at sit downs.

 

[webmomom]

Originally posted by wildernesslodgelover
20% at full service and buffet.

Unless it has changed, in FL wait staff makes $2.13 and hour. Then they usually has to tip out bus boys, bartenders, food runners...plus I always feel like I have to make up for the schmo who only tips $1!!!

I won't even lower that if the server screws up as long as he/she has a good attitude. Have you ever been to a restaurant where the server acts like he/she is doing you such a favor by waiting on you? Even then, my "punishment" is usually 15%!

No you are correct they make that amount and then when a raise does come it will be about $.05 more an hr. Most of time is it not the servers fault. Something has happened in the kitchen to cause a problem. I use to work for a well know chain and we were not allowed to tell the customer if there was problem in the kitchen, so we had to take all of the blame if there was something wrong. Needless to say Idid not work there long.

Usually the ones that don't tip are the ones that demand the most, as the ones who do tip nicely don't demand anything. If the server is doing their job correctly then they should be tipped , but if you see they are just standing around while something needs to be done at your table then a smaller tip would be accetable in my book.

 

[yecats]

I usually tip 15% at both. However there are exceptions to that rule especially at buffets in WDW. If the buffet is where they bring you the skillets and frequently fill up the drinks then they certainly deserve the 15% and more IMO. However, if it is a buffet where you serve yourself (Chef Mickey's or H&V) and the server doesn't come around often enough to see if you need napkins or refill then they will only get 10%. I don't feel that I should have to flag the server down for a refill on water/tea, they just should check every 10/15 minutes in general (just my humble opinion) and yes I have had to do this at disney (I've even asked a waitress who wasn't working my table for a refill as I hadn't seen my waitress in quite some time so I made sure the other waitress got the tip). On the flip side, I've also had great service at Disney as well.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I just hate the whole "I am going to punish you by witholding money if you don't do as I please" mentality. To me, it is a power trip. I also think a lot of people are cheap and are looking for excuses to subtract from the tip. I am too busy enjoying my family and food and atmosphere to worry about it. I know I am pretty much gonna tip 20% from the get go, and things have to be pretty darn lousy for me to go down from there. Like I said, it has to be a rude attitude from the server to qualify for anything less than 20%.