NFR: How much do you tip for buffets?

shoebox4

Do you tip the full 15-20% if it's a buffet and the servers come by to clean up your plate each time you get up?

 

Hyfagal

I don't tip at buffets. Don't flame me, it won't change me mind or make me feel like a bad person.

becky.vroon

Last time I checked, 10%

Wufroggy79

I'm not much of a buffet tipper...maybe 1 or 2 dollars?

bella11011

becky.vroon:

Last time I checked, 10%

 

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okballet16

I used to be a server at a Chinese buffet and I hardly ever got tipped.

Stapier01

This one irks me. H works part-time at a HuHot to help pay the bills. It's a mongolian-style stir-fry buffet. Yes, the servers don't actually bring your food. However, they do (or should) bring your drinks, keep said drinks refilled, clear your plates, deal with all your bitching about the food-temperature-bill-prices-and everything else they have no control over, they clean up after you and your kids after your 2 year old throws his noodles on the floor while you laugh at how "cute" he is, and they do all this for LESS than minimum wage because it is assumed that you will tip them.

IMO, if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.  Do the servers a favor and stay home. 15% minimum for good service anywhere.

EDT to add- If the service is bad, by all means, don't tip. I have stiffed servers before for bad service.
 

Hyfagal

Stapier01:

This one irks me. H works part-time at a HuHot to help pay the bills. It's a mongolian-style stir-fry buffet. Yes, the servers don't actually bring your food. However, they do (or should) bring your drinks, keep said drinks refilled, clear your plates, deal with all your bitching about the food-temperature-bill-prices-and everything else they have no control over, they clean up after you and your kids after your 2 year old throws his noodles on the floor while you laugh at how "cute" he is, and they do all this for LESS than minimum wage because it is assumed that you will tip them.

IMO, if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.  Do the servers a favor and stay home. 15% minimum for good service anywhere.

EDT to add- If the service is bad, by all means, don't tip. I have stiffed servers before for bad service.
 

I don't consider these places to be buffets.

I'm thinking Golden Corral or Cici's pizza. I tip at BD's.

Stapier01

Hyfagal:

Stapier01:

This one irks me. H works part-time at a HuHot to help pay the bills. It's a mongolian-style stir-fry buffet. Yes, the servers don't actually bring your food. However, they do (or should) bring your drinks, keep said drinks refilled, clear your plates, deal with all your bitching about the food-temperature-bill-prices-and everything else they have no control over, they clean up after you and your kids after your 2 year old throws his noodles on the floor while you laugh at how "cute" he is, and they do all this for LESS than minimum wage because it is assumed that you will tip them.

IMO, if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out.  Do the servers a favor and stay home. 15% minimum for good service anywhere.

EDT to add- If the service is bad, by all means, don't tip. I have stiffed servers before for bad service.
 

I don't consider these places to be buffets.

I'm thinking Golden Corral or Cici's pizza. I tip at BD's.

I think a lot of people don't realize that even at buffets, if you are considered a server, you don't have to be paid minimum wage in some states. I've never eaten at a cici's but I assume the people at Golden corral or cici's are actually just bussing tables, and not doing anything to wait on people. In that case, I understand not leaving a tip. I'm fired up about this today because I just overheard a comment from a coworker who said she didn't tip anymore because she couldn't afford it. I think it's part of the meal, and you should just expect that to be part of your bill for going out. I waited tables all through high school and college, I think it's one of those experiences everyone should have once!

Hyfagal

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't those receiving tips have to have them recorded and if they don't make up the difference between what they are paid and minimum wage the business is supposed to pay them for that?

I was a waitress many years ago so this may have changed.

Stapier01

Yes, that is true, but a lot of business will calculate "assumed" tips on total sales and record that for tax purposes. So, they will take your total sales for a shift, and record approximately 12-15% of that number as your tip intake. So, if you only make 5% of your total sales in tips during a current shift, your actually being taxed for money you don't make. On the other hand, there are some shifts where you would be making more. I guess they figure it all works out eventually...

 

EDT: I also wanted to add that in many restaurants, the servers also have to give a percentage of their tips to the bartender, the bussers, and the hostess. Obviously this doesn't apply to all restaurants, especially buffets, but it is something to consider.

cougarlicious

Whenever I go to Fresh Choice or one of those salad buffets, I tip a dollar for every time they come by and clear my table.