Do you tip at buffet restaurants? About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

You've gotten lots of answers but I'll throw in my two cents as well.

We also tip between 15 and 18% at buffets. Off the top of my head, the one and only time I can remember being unhappy with a buffet server (at Disney) was at 1900 PF and it was in 2006 when we had free dining and the tip was included. Since then, like others have said, I've seen more of my buffet servers than we did regular TS servers and for our family, they do work hard. We go during the summer so we down the drinks like they're going out of style and because we still like to cut Abby's food for her (this is a task she still has difficulty with), that's always 2 or 3 plates for her each time we go to the buffet tables. And yes, we've had a few buffet servers that we've given more than the 18% to because they've just been so wonderful.

[Dave Marx]

Here's a link to her guidelines for tipping: General Tipping Guidelines

"Emily" is basing her guidelines on the typical buffet. There are plenty of inexpensive buffet restaurants where 10% seems fair, or even generous. Some buffet restaurants are little more than cafeterias - you even have to get your own drinks. So, just how much should you tip a busboy?

Now, if your server takes alcoholic beverage (and even soft drink) orders, doesn't he/she deserve as good as any bar server gets (on the bar portion of the tab)?

As the vast majority of the replies in this thread show, the service at a Disney buffet tends to be a cut above. Disney's own, best guideline is that the staff automatically gets 18% for tables for six or more. This rate was worked out between Disney and the servers' union a long time ago, and part of the expectation is that the servers will do more than might be expected elsewhere.

So, since this is a budget, budget 18%-20%. It doesn't mean you actually have to spend every cent you budgeted, if you feel the service didn't warrant it. A good budget sets your maximum expenditure levels, not the minimums.

[lesabrowning]

We tip the same for buffet or standard table service. Disney buffet servers seem to work much harder than say your local Sweet Tomatoes/Soup Plantation. I tip 20% as a general rule and more or less if service indicates.

[southerngirl1014]

I always tip very well but I think a lot of that is because I was a waitress for a long time and I know how a good tip can make even the yuckiest of days better.
I also though adjust when needed for poor service. Sadly one of the times I remember not such good service was Ohanas. Our waiter was not around a lot and we ran down on drinks a lot. I could clearly see he was paying more attention to a larger table. Not ok in my book.
It was one of the times I tipped less.
In general though I find excellent service and so tip accordingly

[Ashli]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

"Emily" is basing her guidelines on the typical buffet. There are plenty of inexpensive buffet restaurants where 10% seems fair, or even generous. Some buffet restaurants are little more than cafeterias - you even have to get your own drinks. So, just how much should you tip a busboy?

I was wondering where you got that the Emily Post guideline was for a "typical buffet" that might not even have a server providing your drinks? On the guideline sheet it says "Wait Service (Buffet)". To me, wait service involves the waiter actually being responsible for getting you something, not just walking by grabbing plates. You said it yourself though, Disney buffets are more expensive - which means they are still getting more than say, a Ryan's server, if I give 10% because the meal is considerably more expensive. Yet they are doing the same job - getting drinks and clearing plates. So if they do it better at a Disney restaurant they are getting compensated for their better work since the meal is more expensive. ($3 per person on a $30 buffet as opposed to $1 per person on an $8-10 buffet)

I used to work as a server in high school and I agree with the previous poster that said it is much more stressful to take orders, make sure they are correct, come out at the correct time (for example, not while the person is still eating their salad), etc, than to be able to remember what someone had to drink and grab their dirty plates.

ETA: This website, http://people.howstuffworks.com/tipping2.htm , also recommends 10% at buffets and they specifically reference a place where the server cleans plates, gets your drinks, and brings clean plates for you to return to the buffet.