Tipping with a family of 6

[eeyoresnr]

That really stinks, I was just about to post a question about this very thing. The CM the other day when I was booking my ADR's mentioned that since we were a party of 6 we would have the 18% added on to pay. I thought he must just have been misinformed or just plain wrong since two of our party are a two year old and a 3 month old.

Darn. My DH isn't going to be happy.

Just out of curiosity, what's the difference? Were you guys planning on not tipping? I'm NOT trying to flame, I'm just trying to understand why people get so upset about this.

From what I've read on here, if you have an issue with your service, just let the manager know and they will adjust your bill. I've read that this is generally an easy process.

I agree with perla75...why would your husband be upset over tipping 18%?
I wish we added 18% to parties of 6 where I work...today was a prime example...I had a table of 6 ages 8ish to about 60...they were waitied on promptly, their food came out quickly and just as ordered, their drinks were refilled several times and plates were cleared as they finished their food... they said everything was great... even called me over to the table to give me the credit card slip before they left... as I went to put it in the register I noticed I had been given a $3.04 tip on a $46.96 check ..kinda funny since the IRS tells me I made $4.70 on that check whether I did or not... so it actually cost ME to wait on these people

 

[perla75]

I agree with perla75...why would your husband be upset over tipping 18%?
I wish we added 18% to parties of 6 where I work...today was a prime example...I had a table of 6 ages 8ish to about 60...they were waitied on promptly, their food came out quickly and just as ordered, their drinks were refilled several times and plates were cleared as they finished their food... they said everything was great... even called me over to the table to give me the credit card slip before they left... as I went to put it in the register I noticed I had been given a $3.04 tip on a $46.96 check ..kinda funny since the IRS tells me I made $4.70 on that check whether I did or not... so it actually cost ME to wait on these people

I hear yah! My DF is a server as well in an upscale restaurant and last time we went to WDW he was thinking about taking those friendly "suggested tip" reminders and putting them in with the bills at his work! He generally gets the lowest tips from corporate foreigners who don't bother to research american tipping customs before they come here and families who present like this is their first time in a fancy restaurant, order the minimum plus 10 bread baskets, and don't factor a tip into their budget before they come...if yah can't afford to pay the tip, than people have no business going to the restaurant in the first place. In both cases, my DF ends up having to pay out of his own pocket to make up the difference when he tips out his staff I think alot of people don't realize that....

Anyways, sorry for my little rant and for getting off topic, I am in no way implying anything towards the original poster!! I guess this is one topic that really does get me heated!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Many places include the tip for large parties of 6 or more. I am not aware if it's done at Disney and if it is, if it is done everywhere.

Carefully check your receipt to make sure.

If you have received excellent service, I would always leave another 2%. I think that is most often done in a Table Service place, but if you want to recognize especially good service at a CS, leave $1 per person.

That applies only if the tip is included in your check.

I am not sure where you would leave a tip at a CS, as these are fast-food type places where you order the food, you pick the food up and take it to your table. Tips are not expected or generally paid at WDW CS locations, with the exception of the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs, which automatically includes a 10% gratuity - but they have "servers" who are supposed to bring your silverware and your drinks to your table.

As has been posted, WDW table service restaurants count everyone at the table, including infants, for party size purposes. And if the infant orders nothing, it will not increase the amount of your tip, which will be a straight 18% on the menu price of all items ordered.

This should impact only those who receive substandard service, which can be taken up with a manager, and those who typically prefer to tip less than 18%.

 

[PEANUT1]

My hubby and I are very good tippers.....I always give at least 20% for good service. I do have to admit, though that when gratuity is added it annoys me. I feel that the server should have to earn the tip. I usually don't add more if the gratuity is already added. Maybe this is why the other poster thought her husband would be mad.

 

[Think Pink Tink]

We are a party of 6, 4 adults to children. I will be handling ALL the tipping because my dad is old, and by that I mean he is completely unaware of how much is appropriate to tip. He tips my mom's hairdresser 10% and he thinks that is ALOT. I go to the same hairdresser and OVER TIP to compensate for him. He doesn't eat out much, except for the occasionaly pizza joint or diner once in a while and I have tried to explain the tipping thing but he thinks everyone makes at least minimum wage so doesn't understand that tips offset their income.

I used to waitress for MANY years through high school, college and grad school...it paid the bills WELL. So I totally get the tipping thing but if I left my dad alone he'd be the one leaving the $3.04 tip on the $46.96 bill. I really think it is lack of knowledge and just old age. Not making excuses but he was never a big travler and rarely eats out and when he does go to NICE restaurants he is with us. So again I handle that piece for him. We LOVE the dining plan...used it in 2006 and even though the apps and tip were removed we are still using it. When you add up all the meals and snack daily it is still a DEAL, even with having to pay oop for the tip.

 

[eeyoresnr]

as a server I understand those of you who are upset when the gratuity is automatic... but unfortunately for servers like me, not everyone, in fact not many tip 18-20% like you do... but just for the record we servers do appreciate it...thank you

 

[jellybeans0607]

i am a sever and it bites my butt that they automatically add the tip in. as a server i would never do that! and i have never worked at a restaurant that did. its an awful practice. so basically the server doesnt have to do anything for us at all and she still gets that tip, awful! i have to work for my tips, why dont they?
btw, ive only had a hand full of exceptional servers while visiting disney.
someone else said why does it matter. well it matters because when i leave a tip its because i wanted to leave that amount, my average tip is 25-30%, because i do the job and i know how hard that server is working, and i know that shes been stiffed at least once that night. i wont over tip in disney, no need to.

 

[maxiesmom]

My hubby and I are very good tippers.....I always give at least 20% for good service. I do have to admit, though that when gratuity is added it annoys me. I feel that the server should have to earn the tip. I usually don't add more if the gratuity is already added. Maybe this is why the other poster thought her husband would be mad.

I don't understand this mind-set. It is not the servers choice to add the tip automatically. And if they do a poor job waiting on you, it is easy enough to get your bill adjusted down. So why punish them for something they have no control over? It seems kind of spiteful.

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree with the others who think it's not that big of a deal. Annoying, perhaps. However, if service is bad then you can have it adjusted, and if you were normally 15% tippers and are now forced to tip 18% it equals out to only $3.00 per $100.00 spent on food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And I still contend the best time to address service issues is when, or as close to when as possible, you are having problems.

Seeking out a manager after you've been sitting at a table, ignored, for fifteen minutes (if you choose to stay) is FAR more effective than waiting until the check comes and disputing the automatic service charge because you had poor service.

It allows the restaurant to CORRECT the problem. It probably prevents you from stewing pr griping throughout the meal, giving you a more enjoyable experience. And it likely avoids "Well, we didn't want to waste any more time by waiting for a manager after we finished eating; we wanted to get back to the attractions".

 

[kimsuenew]

Thats odd, the CM I spoke with the other day told me it was 18% was included for a party of 6

It is, as an automatic 18% gratuity included (out of your pocket)! Sorry!