Tipping

[joolz1910]

I've searched but could not find specific information, so forgive me for posting an unoriginal thread.

This is what I understand to be tipping etiquette, (please correct me if I'm wrong)

$1 per adult, per night for mouse keeping
$1 per bag or $2 per large bag for bellhop
18-20% for good service in table service restaurant, calculated before tax
$1 per round of drinks for bartender

No tipping necessary for counter service or buffets - is this right?

I'm trying to work out spending money.

 

[dixonsontour]

You do tip buffets. Onsite disney suggest 18-20%

You don't have to tip housekeeping (it is not classed as a tipped position i.e they are not taxed assuming a certain level of tips like waitresses) but it is nice to and often leads to little extras like towel animals - better to leave a small sum each day rather than a large one when you check out in case your regular housekeeper is off.

 

[hertfordshire]

i was told its 10-15% tip in places like dennys where a meal would be rather cheap and 20% in a restaurant where the prices are are more expensive ?

 

[Zhoen]

i was told its 10-15% tip in places like dennys where a meal would be rather cheap and 20% in a restaurant where the prices are are more expensive ?

We go completely by the service... If I'm out for a $100 meal and the waiter completely ignored me, left my drink empty for half an hour, for example, does s/he DESERVE $20, when my waitress at Denny's who was attentive should only get $1-2 for a $20 check? I personally don't feel that.

Now, I do try to tip at least 8%, no matter how bad the service is, because I read once that the management assumes an 8% tip for tax purposes and takes that tax that out of the servers $2-per-hour paycheck... so really if that's true and you tip less than 8% , you'd be costing the server money out of their pocket... I don't think I've ever tipped less than 10%, and I frequently tip above 20%, but it is based on the service, not any rule of what someone thinks they are "entitled to"

I agree with the PP about tipping housekeeping in a hotel daily...I think they do a better job that way, and it's more fair, because the person keeping the room gets their tip, instead of one person getting tipped for the whole vacation who might never have cleaned that room before. (A lot of hotels rotate.)

 

[wayneg]

i was told its 10-15% tip in places like dennys where a meal would be rather cheap and 20% in a restaurant where the prices are are more expensive ?

Never heard that myself. Usual guide is 15-20% (Disney say 18-20%) so if its a percentage lower cost restaurants will be a lower tip.

This looks a reasonable guide http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Drinks I believe is $1/drink not per round. When on the cruise 15% is automatically added for all drinks we then add another $1-2/round for good service, it usually gets you stronger drinks and faster service.

Buffets as said Disney still recommend 18-20% and charge 18% for parties of 6 or more. American friends I know tip approx $2pp in buffets but maybe if any are reading they can comment.

As said above House Keeping is not a tipped position, they earn at least minimum wage, I personally don't tip them but others do.

 

[Zhoen]

Oh, and no way would I tip 18-20% for a BUFFET! Why should someone who is only responsible for bringing drinks and bussing tables (assuming they don't have separate bussers) deserve as much of a tip as someone responsible for taking orders, verifying correct orders, carrying dishes, following up... And then there are the buffets where they don't even bring you drinks, they give you and empty cup and you fill it yourself! Anyone planning to tip 18% at the $35 buffets next May, send me your itinerary and I'll come wait your table myself!!!

That said, I do always tip at a buffet, but not as much as I would at a full-service restaurant, and looking at the tables around me, I am very much in the minority for tipping at all!

 

[wayneg]

That said, I do always tip at a buffet, but not as much as I would at a full-service restaurant, and looking at the tables around me, I am very much in the minority for tipping at all!

Anyone serving me at a buffet has more work than a table service meal, I won't mix food or pile high, I can easily go thru 10 plates & dishes for a meal.

As for the tip you can't possibly know how much others leave, like myself many either charge to the room or credit card. To others around it looks like I have left nothing.

This August will be the 1st time we have dined in Disney as a party of 6 so it will be 18% automatically added for all meals including buffets. Lets hope the service is worth it. A couple of meals last year could have had better service, Ohana being the worst.

 

[Raksha]

Oh, and no way would I tip 18-20% for a BUFFET! Why should someone who is only responsible for bringing drinks and bussing tables (assuming they don't have separate bussers) deserve as much of a tip as someone responsible for taking orders, verifying correct orders, carrying dishes, following up...

I always tip the same as a regular meal at the on-property buffet meals. Our kids have allergies and my husband has dietary restrictions. Our servers have either taken our kids to the buffet and walked them through what they should and should not have according to the ingredients or a chef meet us as the table to discuss our needs for that particular meal. We also make sure it is noted on our ADRs that we have these issues and they were very accomodating.

I think that the servers at the buffets to much more than just filling your glass and bussing your table.

 

[Zhoen]

I was actually referring to regular buffets here at home. Those you usually pay at the door and it's completely self-service... so it's easy to tell. The only way to leave a tip is cash on the table, it's not even an option when you pay at the beginning.

Disney is, of course, more discreet.

 

[wilma-bride]

Couldn't see whether anyone had commented on the tip for a 'round of drinks' but we always tip at least a $ per drink for a mixed drink, i.e. cocktail. If they just have to take the lid off a couple of bottles, then it might be a $ per round but, for mixed/draught drinks, always at least $1 per drink.

And we usually find, praticularly at Disney, that the more generous we are with the tips, the more generous the bartenders are with their 'pours'

Sorry, just saw that Wayne has commented above - but at least we are on the same wavelength Wayne lol

 

[2Tiggies]

I was actually referring to regular buffets here at home. Those you usually pay at the door and it's completely self-service... so it's easy to tell. The only way to leave a tip is cash on the table, it's not even an option when you pay at the beginning.

Disney is, of course, more discreet.

It's not Disney being discreet. Tipping is part of the culture in the US. It is not in Britain.

But I believe the OP was specifically referring to tipping in the US and it is expected that you tip for good service - and tip to their standards.

I am a bit like Wayne in that my server works for me at a buffet. I have a daughter who doesn't like foods to mix on her plate. I like my coffee/wine or whatever I am drinking to be kept full and I don't expect any dirty plates to accumulate on the table at any point. I like to go up to the buffet for something else and come back to a cleared table with clean cutlery. I usually do get this in the US - and with a smile. And for that, I am more than willing to give 20%

 

[joolz1910]

OK, so this is more accurate or 'acceptable':

$1 per adult, per night for mouse keeping optional
$1 per bag or $2 per large bag for bellhop
18-20% for good service in table service restaurant, calculated before tax
$1 per round of drinks for bottled drinks or $1 per drink for mixed drinks/cocktails

No tipping necessary for counter service
Tipping is customary at buffets, again 15-20%

I think it's important to 'when in Rome..' so I just want to clarify this. Is there anything else a tipping novice should know?

 

[2Tiggies]

That's pretty spot on Joolz. Don't stress about it too much. As others have said, some positions are not tipped, but it is nice to show appreciation and some of these poeple work for such low wages it really is appreciated.

 

[dixonsontour]

Only cs where you may want to tip (not compulsory) are WPE at DTD and Pepper market at coronado springs - the food is brought to you/drinks refilled so more like a TS.

Your handy reckoner seems fine.

Don't stress.

Disney make it easy and put the suggested tip of 18% and 20% on the bill - obviously it is up to you how much to tip but is helpful.

With mousekeeping make clear the money if for them or they wont take it - a little thanks note or some people make envelopes.

 

[Elise79]

The only thing I didn't see on your list and you probably won't use it Valet parking - you need to tip a couple of bucks on collection of your car.

Otherwise you seem to have it all good

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks everyone! I can now go away and start to budget for spending money.

 

[purple figment]

Buffets as said Disney still recommend 18-20% American friends I know tip approx $2pp in buffets but maybe if any are reading they can comment.

While Disney suggests 18-20% for their buffets, anywhere else most Americans tip about 10% at buffets.

 

[Pegasus928]

While Disney suggests 18-20% for their buffets, anywhere else most Americans tip about 10% at buffets.

I have worked with a lot of americans in the past and they have always been surprised by how much we have tipped during our trips to Florida. While we are always being led to believe that we as Brits are lousy tippers I think the opposite is true and that we generally tip a lot better than than americans themselves do.
Dont stress about it, enjoy your trip and tip what you feel is a reasonable amount for the service your have received.

 

[joolz1910]

Who do you tip at a buffet? The person who brings your drinks or the person who clears the table?

 

[2Tiggies]

Who do you tip at a buffet? The person who brings your drinks or the person who clears the table?

Yes, you will have an actual server. The person will come and introduce him/herself to you, get your drinks, clear your plates and replace cutlery if necessary. It is no different to any other restaurant and you will know exactly who is serving you. I usually leave the tip in the folder with the payment for the meal, or if paying by card you then just add it on by writing it onto the slip.