Do you tip differently at a buffet than you would at a traditional restaurant ?

Question

how much of a tip do you leave at each ?

Answer 1

Servers make $2.13 an hour, and basically all of that goes to taxes. Tips are our income. I agree with most people that 10-15 % is customary for a buffet, 15-20% for a sit-down meal, and since I am an exceptional server, I will say that you should vary the tip according to the level of service you receive. At the kind of buffet where all the server does is drop off a check, they are usually getting more than $2.13, but if they really take care of you, and it's a nicer buffet ($20 a plate or so) then they are probably making $2.13 just like a normal server.
And yes, for all you skeptics out there, $2.13 is standard, across the board, what just about every server in the country makes. My paycheck is always zero. By the way, this is legal because we have to claim our tips, and if tips plus server wage is less than minimum wage the restaurant is supposed to pay you the difference. (But that never happens.)

Answer 2

Usually I do tip a little less at a buffet because the waiters responsibilities to me are less than that of a waiter in a traditional resturant. At a trad. rest. I double the tax (16%) if the waiter was just average.. if the waiter/waitress was above average I tip more (between 20-25%). At a buffet, it really depends on the service from the waiter/waitress. If my drinks stayed filled and he/she made an effort to make sure I didnt need anything then I do the same as I do at a traditional rest. (double the tax). If not, I'll leave about 10%.

Answer 3

Yes. 10-15% at a buffet and 15-20% for a traditional sit-down. If I have to order standing up at the buffet than I may not tip at all.

Answer 4

Yes, less at a buffet. 15 percent at a traditional restaurant. About 2 dollars for 2 people at a buffet when the meals are about $7 each.

Answer 5

Well at every restaurant I tip by the way the service is ,the cleanliness ,and the food....If it sucks then they only get what they deserve - a couple of bucks,if they made me happy and were nice and friendly then 10 or 15 is a nice tip. Buffet- still depends on the restaurant and the food!Someone has to clear the table...and If they work hard they deserve a nice tip!

Answer 6

I definately do. I guess it depends on what state you live in and if you know the people are working for mostly tips or earn at least minimum wage as well. I never understood that some people make less than minimum anyway, I thought if you were employed then you had to make at least minimum wage. Anyway, I do not tip at buffets at all, it is there job to take my empty plate, they didn't bring me my food, or cook it. I do tip about 15% at other restaurants (double the tax, in my county), a little more if they do really well, a little less if they don't. Sometimes I tip the cook/sushi chef more than the waitress. Just remember that whoever you are tiping most likely is already getting paid decently to do their job, your tip is extra for good work, above & beyond. Do you tip your cable installer, your gardner, or even the woman at the store that helped you find that clothing item in your size. Mostly it is a personal choice. I never feel obligated mostly becuase that the person working their chose to work somewhere that pays minimum wage, someone will have to explain to me how people can get paid less.

Answer 7

If they have a buffet - I don't eat there. I tip according to the city/towns meals tax. I think 20 to 50 % is ok depending upon level of service. But a 10 percent meals tax by a city or town reduces highest tip to 20 percent less the 10 percent to the city or town. This leaves the poor waiter or waitress with maximum of 10 percent for exceptional outstanding perfect service. I expect the wait staff to rebel against the mayor and the council for being greedy with workers money. They don't tax the grocery clerks job a 10 percent home meals tax?? The don't add a 10 percent tax to service provided by a city employee. Why peanalize me for eating and you for working?

Answer 8

I agree with the last comment. 10% is the right amount for a buffet. If you have to get up and get the food for yourself, I dont see the point to tipping more than that.

Answer 9

18-20 % at a regular restaurant. The only time I tip at the buffet is if somebody brings me drinks, or theres somebody cleaning tables then it's just a couple of bucks.

Answer 10

yeah. I usually give 20% at a regular restaurant. But at a true buffet where I serve myself, and they only bring me water, I might only tip 15%.