Tips for buffet dining

[TheRatPack]

We are a family of 7 so we fall in to that 'mandatory' category. We have 3 smaller kids though, 2 teens and then 2 adults....so they clear a lot of plates, bring us a LOT of refills and we usually ask for more napkins, ketchup, and extra this or that. Now, if we get one that doesn't even come back to our table after the greeting (we've sat at some Disney restaurants for half our meal before with empty drinks and actually had to get up and go looking for waitstaff) then I will say something to the mgmt.

 

[PatriciaH]

I think the servers actually do more work at a buffet restaurant. Much more clearing. We tip the same- 20% or more depending on the service.

 

[luvmy3]

I was a waitress all through college. I always worked Sunday buffet brunch. While your waitperson doesn't bring your food out, they likely clear way more plates from your table during your meal than after a normal meal. So more trips to your table, and drink refills, etc. It always bothered me that people tipped less for buffet than a regular meal, as I often felt it was more work to keep the tables clean, refill drinks (breakfast coffee goes faster than large sodas) etc.
And yes, I'll confirm most of the time the bus staff, bartenders, silverware roll-up makers and bread basket people are all tipped out by the waitstaff. Who usually make $2.50 an hour plus tips before taxes. (At least in the mid 90's they did- maybe this has gone up a bit).
That being said, I do base tips on good service. But I always leave a decent tip unless the service is dreadful.
Just my opinion. No judgement being thrown around or anything.

I'm just curious, out of your tips are you required to give a certain percentage to the bus staff and others, or do you get to choose what you give? Do they get the same hourly wage as a waitperson?
I never really took into account that the buffet waitperson had to give his/her tips to other people (I knew sit down they did).

 

[suevee]

I was a waitress all through college. I always worked Sunday buffet brunch. While your waitperson doesn't bring your food out, they likely clear way more plates from your table during your meal than after a normal meal. So more trips to your table, and drink refills, etc. It always bothered me that people tipped less for buffet than a regular meal, as I often felt it was more work to keep the tables clean, refill drinks (breakfast coffee goes faster than large sodas) etc.
And yes, I'll confirm most of the time the bus staff, bartenders, silverware roll-up makers and bread basket people are all tipped out by the waitstaff. Who usually make $2.50 an hour plus tips before taxes. (At least in the mid 90's they did- maybe this has gone up a bit).
That being said, I do base tips on good service. But I always leave a decent tip unless the service is dreadful.
Just my opinion. No judgement being thrown around or anything.

I agree. The waiters at the buffets I have been to are much more attentive that the waiters at the regular restaurants. One of the reasons I like the DDE card is I don't even have to think about a tip unless it is lousy service then I talk to the manager.

 

[disneychrista]

I don't do Disney Buffets but the buffets I do go to, you get your own plates, drinks, food etc. There may be a busser who clears the plates etc but no server. Do you still leave a tip in this case (I am thinking Fresh Choice, Hometown Buffet)?

 

[pbharris4]

I tip 15% for Buffets (we only eat at them in WDW) and anywhere from 15% to 20% for others. Sometimes if the service is exceptional we'll tip more.

 

[Chicago526]

I was taught that if at a buffett, someone gets your drinks for you, to leave a dollar or two per person, but if it's 100% self serve, no need to tip.

I have no idea if that's "proper" or not.

 

[PatsMom]

I used to tip 20%. Now that they add the tip if you are using the DDE, I usually only tip the 18% they automatically add unless the service is truly superior. I haven't had it happen but I suppose if the service were truly bad I would ask to see a manager to try to have the tip reduced or eliminated.

 

[chobie]

Well the best tip for buffet dining comes from Mr. Disney and the K-Man on the restuarant board:

WEAR BUFFET PANTS!!!

 

[Artist]

I'm just curious, out of your tips are you required to give a certain percentage to the bus staff and others, or do you get to choose what you give? Do they get the same hourly wage as a waitperson?
I never really took into account that the buffet waitperson had to give his/her tips to other people (I knew sit down they did).

At restaurants I worked at, often there was a "standard" amount or percentage the staff "usually" gave the people they tipped out. I can't recall off the top of my head what it was, but I do remember getting reports of what the bar totals were by station so you could figure out what to tip the bartender. And if the bartender went above and beyond for your tables you gave him/her more. The bus people didn't make a decent hourly wage either, so tips were very important to them. The silverware roll-up makers were frequently people with special needs who did that job as part of a program. It always felt great to tip them out as they were so appreciative.
But, I think it depends on the restaurant. Each has it's own way of doing it.
I worked everywhere from a pizza shop with buffet lunch, chain restaurant, to a 4-star french place. Each had it's own culture and way of doing it.
The 4-star place we usually pooled tips and divided them up evenly amongst all the wait-staff. That's the ONLY place I would be ok with that as all the staff were very professional.