Tipping the server at a buffet restaurant? Yes or no?

Question

This isn't an issue but I'm curious to what others think. Do you tip a server at a buffet restaurant? My dad says "no" because he has to get up and get his own food and drinks as opposed to sitting down and having someone bring him his food for him. I'm not so sure. Is my dad right on this? We normally go out to breakfast about 2-3X a month and when we go to Hometown Buffet, Dad NEVER tips the server. Is he wrong in doing this?

Maybe someone who works at a buffet restaurant can help me out here.

Answer 1

I see myself as blessed because my wife and I both have pretty good jobs.
However, it wasn't always like this. I used to work as a waiter when I was younger (mid 1980's) and I remember what I had to put up with just to scratch out a meager living. Now I am the guy who leaves $10 tips.
However, not everyone can do this.
I simply try to make it worth the effort no matter where I go to eat. However, if you don't have it to give, don't give it. If you dint think they have done enough to deserve a little extra cash then by all means don't encourage their behavior.
I hope this helps you.

Answer 2

It's fine to hand a tip to any server in any kind of restaurant if that person has helped you in an especially nice way. It's always your choice, no matter what the so-called Rules are. These servers do not earn much and most of them do a hard job, running back and forth and making sure that everyone is pleased. Sometimes I've stopped on my way out and handed a tip to a particular server or table-clearer and told them, "This is to say Thank you." I did it because there's nothing so wonderful as a person-to-person communication. Tipping is not a social requirement --- it is a simple way to say Thank you.

Answer 3

yes you always tip the server at a buffet restaurant..if you are not personally clearing your table yes you tip them..and in most buffet restaurants they will still go and get your drink...but you have to think of what the server is making an hour..it works just like a regular restaurant ..their hourly pay is still alot lower then minimum wage because they rely on their tips...servers generally make between 2.50 and 3.00 an hour

Answer 4

Yes, but certainly not as much as you would, if you were being fully served.

The biggest reason for tipping is that anybody who works in the food service field HAS to pay income tax on a certain percentage of their income which is ASSUMED to be tips.

So, yes, you shouldn't stiff the waiter at a buffet.

Answer 5

Servers at buffets usually bring drinks, carry away dirty plates and will bring you anything you ask for like extra napkins, silverware, etc, so yes they deserve a tip. I go with a $1.00 per person.

Answer 6

if you are at a restuarant and you feel you are getting good service yes, by all means tip if you get lousy service leave behind a small tip to remind you server or waiter of his or her poor service so that the next customer who visits the restaurant he-or she - (the server) will be reminded of how his last tip effected his or her income and the restaurant's rating status and they will be more apt to please you and the next customer. GOLDEN CORRAL has great servers!!

Answer 7

You should always tip the server! They may not work as hard as a waitress, but their pay is based on recieving tips.. No food service job is fantastic, so why not make their day and not stiff they're tip?!

Answer 8

If a server is actually bringing you drinks and new plates, then yes a tip is in order. If however, you are doing everything,then no, it is self-service.

Answer 9

I do at times,especially if the plates start stacking up on my table and they politelly ask to remove them,yes i leave them a tip.

Answer 10

if the waitress or waiter performs any domestic service whatsoever then it deserves a tip at the patrons discretion