Do you leave a tip when you go to a Buffet?

Question

I got a question that I have been thinking about...

Last Night I took my wife and son out to eat, We ate dinner at the Old Country Buffet....

We Served ourselves, and got our own drinks and everything, but there was this waitress who offered to get our drinks and such, but I told her we did not need her help...

All she did was clear the table when we were finished with our plates.....

I didn't leave a tip, caused It was not a "Real" Resturant, it was a self serve buffet.......

But as I was leaving, I saw some people leave tips and others did not......

My question is.....

Whas I right or wrong about not leaving a tip, and why?

Answer 1

I was a DRA(Dining Room Attendant). They are the lowest paid employees at Old Country Buffet, because of the tips that they make. Granted, a buffet isn't a "real" restaurant. But leaving a tip is cool. No more than $2 though.

Answer 2

I leave a tip if they have a server who gets your drinks but not at a completely self service buffet. As far as the tip, now a days, the tip is 15% - 18% for a sit down full service type restaurant.

Answer 3

I don't think you were wrong. Usually. I will leave a couple of bucks but I have never given he reason why much thought. People tip at "real" restaurants because the waitresses are paid a small hourly wage and tips are the majority of their income. I have never inquired about how much the wait staff at a buffet makes per hour. Seems like something we all need to check.

Answer 4

It is polite to leave a tip. Although it is a self-serve buffet, the waitress/waiter still get your drinks, clear your plates, etc. They count on their tips just as other servers do. I always leave a tip, however, not at the same rate as formal restaurants. Have a Happy New Year.

Answer 5

Yes you should leave a tip.The waitress only makes a small hourly wage"usually below min wage"and relies on tips as one does in a "real"restaurant even though you serve yourself mostly they still clean the table and normally bring your drinks and tend to whatever else you need.If i eat at a buffet with a friend we leave two to three dollars total depending on how quick we get our drinks,waiting for refills,and removing our dirty plates as we refill them etc.. i hope this helps ps even if others don't feel the need to tip a couple bucks from you might make the wait staffs day>

Answer 6

I do leave a tip at a buffet because they do still have to wait on our tables to clear our mess and they usually also bring clean utensils and plates as well as drinks. I just give less of a tip than I would for full service. For a full sit-down, I give 20%. For a buffet, I give 10%.

Answer 7

Yes I always leave a tip but also let her get my drinks or condiments or whatever. Usually there are several plates after you eat a buffet and someone has to clear those and keep you happy. A couple dollars is what I leave per person.

Answer 8

I figure if you get to have a nice meal that you don't have to shop for, cook or clean-up after, why not leave a tip for the staff??
If you can afford to eat out then you can afford to leave a tip.
Fast food is the only exception.
I guess at a buffet-style place I would would tip a dollar per person.
Good question.

Answer 9

Wait staff make below minimum wage and therefore they depend on tips as part of their salary. Depending the restaurant, they also may have to split their tips with other staff. I always tip. At buffets, I do tip less than at a regular restaurant but I always leave at least 10% depending on service because they do keep an eye on you to see if you need your drink replenished, clear your plates, etc. At a regular restaurant, I always tip 15% to 20% depending the quality of service, food, etc.

Answer 10

Sometimes I leave a tip at a buffet depending on the server. If he/she is attentive and offers to get drink refills, quickly removes dirty plates,gets extra napkins, etc. then I will generally leave a tip.