Should you tip the waiter at a Buffet?

Question

Just wondering because we're never sure. I mean all they really do is take away dishes and bring you drinks which you could do yourself

Answer 1

Of course you tip him. You said it yourself....he takes the dirty dishes away and provides you with a drink....Meaning he is providing a service. It is just common courtesy. Maybe not as much as a waiter, but something is always nice for these folks.

Answer 2

I usually never do, but I guess it really comes down to this-- how does one KNOW for a fact that wait-staff at buffet restaurants are making "tip" wages? Are they being paid the $3.00/hr that a normal waiter would, or are they being paid as a more traditional hourly server? Surely most people at buffets don't tip or tip well, and so surely no one would work there if they were being paid low wages and getting no tips. (as an aside, I do always tip between 15-20% in a normal service dining situation)

The confusion and the fact that people must constantly ASK about tipping is what's completely wrong with the system.

I've never waited tables, so I'm sure many would disagree with me, but I really wish we could pay these people a decent wage and toss the whole tipping thing out the window. I understand the theory that tipping somehow is an incentive for the waitstaff to provide the best service possible, but many studies have shown that regardless of how the customer is treated, they all leave about the same tip (this comes from a This American Life episode about 24 hours in the life of a diner in Chicago).

Frankly, as a customer, I'd be willing to pay a little more for my food if I didn't have to worry about this.

Answer 3

Yes I do. A good rule of thumb (In my honest opinion) is to tip the waiter/waitress 1.00 per person eating at your particular table. They should be tipped just because they clear your dirty plates and make sure you always have drink when you are running low. It's not the fact that you could do it yourself... do you do it yourself? I didn't think so. Most of these buffet places work on a rather low profit margin, so while your server is not going to get a normal Waiter/Waitress tipping wage (I think it's 2.35 an hour) they aren't going to make much more than minimum wage anyways.

Answer 4

I tip, and the amount of the tip is directly proportional to the quality of the service! I have certain basic requirements, and if these are not met, the tip is very small! I should not have to ask for plates, nor should our drinks ever be empty! That is the basic part of the job!

If the service is good, I will tip $5 or so for two of us. For extraordinary service I will tip more. For less than acceptable service I will leave a coin or two (and also let the management know of the problems!)

Answer 5

They keep your drinks refilled and take away dirty plates so that is a service for you. As such most people give a tip (unless they went to the buffet for a very cheap meal and don't want to pay any tip).

Answer 6

Yes. You should tip the waiter at a buffet.

Answer 7

I tip the waiter/waitress at the buffet the same as I would at a regular restaurant. They have families to support too and it is only fair.

Answer 8

If they bring you your drinks and clean up your table you should tip. Not the usual 10 to 15 percent, but something like a dollar or two.

Answer 9

You should always tip your waiter r waitress no matter where you go like you said they take your plates bring you new ones and refill your drinks and not to mention that they don't get paid enough by the hour they get about 3.13 and hour so they really work for tips think about it .

Answer 10

If the waiter clears plates and refills your drink, and asks if your food is ok - i would say yes...however i dont think 15% is necessary....that part is up to you.