Should one tip at a buffet?

Answer 1

It you feel the urge Im sure someone would love it..They usually have servers giving you a refills of water and such..and clearing your ten ton pile of empty plates..ha ha so that would be nice if you want to do so.Its all up to you what you want to do.

Answer 2

If your waitress brings out water and silverware to you, takes your drink order and asked if you want the buffet or to order from the menu, then yes you should tip her. At a buffet where you pay as you walk in is different then if your waitress takes your order at your table. When your waitress bring you your check at the end of the meal and the ticket has her name on it, the company she works for reports her sales to the IRS who then assumes she made a tip from that table whether or not she actually did. The same way it happens at a full service restaurant, and she probably makes the same less that minimum wage. Federal Law states that some companies can get away with paying servers only $2.13 an hour. Something to keep in mind the next time you eat out.

Answer 3

Absolutely.

While many -- but not all -- servers at a buffet make more per hour than a server in a full-service restaurant, they still often fall short of minimum wage.

Factors to consider when calculating a tip in a buffet environment include not only the expected drinks, refills, silverware, napkins, additional napkins and condiments issues, but also the mess your party is creating.

I recently saw a party of six at a local Mongolian BBQ/Chinese buffet restaurant leave multiple plates of peel-n-eat shrimp shells scattered all over the table, debris from two high chairs, multiple overturned cups of sauces, etc.

They refused several times to permit the server to remove trash and debris from the table.

And they left two dollars.

My grandparents' rule for buffet situations was $1 per guest, plus 50 cents for each plate beyond two per guest. Alcoholic beverages to be tipped at 15-20%, and additional tipping for specialty staff such as the chef running the grill, etc.

Answer 4

To me it depends on the buffet. If the waitress has to bring you drinks and/or plates, I tip $1.00 per person IF I don't have to wait an unreasonable time for drinks and plates. If the buffet is totally self serve - drinks and plates - and the only thing a waitress does is bus the tables, then 9 times out of 10 I do not tip.

Answer 5

Yup! I understand that you don't have to tip as much at a buffet -- 10% instead of 15%-20% but when the service is good, why not be fair to the server and tip a little higher?

Answer 6

Yes...I work in a full-service restaurant that has a buffet-style brunch on Sundays. I work just as hard for those customers...serving drinks, clearing plates, making sure that they have everything they need to enjoy their meal. In the state I live in, most servers are paid $3.70 an hour, and taxed at least 10 percent of their sales. The taxes are taken out of my paycheck. Most pay periods I don't get a paycheck, as it is eaten up by taxes. If you don't tip, I still have to pay the taxes on what I have sold you. At the end of the night, I have to tip my busser and my bartender. It's a tough way to make a living!

Answer 7

At places like Old Country Buffet, you have to get your own drinks, the food is always low and the serves dont clear off your table often. They wait till your practically done. I am an excellent tipper but I dont feel places like that should get tips. You tip becuase of service, no service no tip.

Answer 8

I usually tip like 2 or 3 bucks at a buffet.

Answer 9

Yes, you should tip at a buffet. The servers are bringing your drink and refilling it and removing plates from the table as you eat. They are making your dining experience more enjoyable so they deserve a tip.

Answer 10

IF the plates were taken quickly, and drinks refilled I usually tip about 2-3 dollars for 2-4 people. If I get my own drinks or the plates pile up, I don't normally give anything. If it's lunch or dinner time, I allow more time for everything, as even clearing plates and getting drinks is tough with so many people. Best advice, Just be reasonable. If you can clearly see someone working hard and they are slammed but are trying their best to get to you, make exceptions.

Answer 11

Screw the guy who said no. Ever serve tables? I've never served at a buffet, but you are still doing work for patrons. I tip %10