Do you tip at a buffet?

Question

We went to a buffet over the weekend, you seat your self, wait on yourself. Their are ladies that come around and pick your dirty plates up off the table, are you suppose to tip them?

mmdjaail- Waitress usually don't even make minimum wage, they depend on their tips!

Answer 1

I usually still tip here, but only a dollar or two per person at the table. If it's myself and my family (wife and daughter) I usually tip $2. I might up it a bit if the person is refilling my drink.

Tipping is to reward and encourage good service, so if the only service being offered is to clear dirty plates, I'm not inclined to tip more than a very small amount.

Answer 2

Usually at buffets, there are hostesses to seat you at a table. Even though you serve yourself to the food, tip the waiter who takes your dirty plates. They also serve you the drinks, so they deserve a small tip. Before you leave the table, leave
1-3 dollars under a cup, plate, napkin holder, fork, or spoon etc. There is never anything wrong with tipping.

Answer 3

Answers are good, but the etiquette is that at a buffet, ten percent of the bill is customary. Stick to the classic formula only if the waiter is attentive, appearing promptly when you need him. If he provides extra-good service, then you could tip him more. On the other end, if he neglects to refill your water glass or is missing in action when you're ready for the check, feel free to give less or even nothing.

Remember that tipping is discretionary, therefore if you don't think tipping is necessary in a particular circumstance, then just don't tip.

I believe the common practice for tipping in a buffet is $1 minimum, but rarely more than $2 except in the most exceptional of circumstances. Anyways, a buffet costing more than $10 is just not worth it unless it is the Ritz.

Answer 4

Depends on how you feel. If the waitress was nice, prompt, kept the drinks filled, rolls on the table, clean plates coming then I would tip her. She is doing everything else except getting your food and she probably makes below minimum wage plus tips.

If they were barely there, only refilled once..etc..then no.

I don't do it based on where I am. I do it based on the level of service.

Answer 5

I tip on attitude and quality of service, whether it's a buffet or regular restaurant. In the case of the buffet, if the attendant simply does his or her job, with no real efficiency, joy, smiles, or whatever, then I say his paycheck must be fine with him.

If I see him really on the move, clearly doing his best to move BEYOND his job description into real customer satisfaction, I'll leave a tip behind for him.

I once ate at a restaurant where the busboy clearly enjoyed HIS job more than our waiter did. So I left the basic 15% for the waiter - and then personally handed the busboy a $5-bill.

The idea of tips in America has slowly turned into this "required" thing. Not with THIS American -- traditionally, a tip is a reward for excellent service, and if I get less than excellent service, they get less than their potential 15% reward. Contrarywise, if my waiter and/or busboy is indescribably perfect in his service, I'll leave more than 15%.

Answer 6

I tip in that situation, maybe not the usual 15-20%. Leave a couple of bucks though. If your party is more than 4 people, then leave a $5.

Answer 7

That really just depends on the buffet. If I go to a place where EVERYTHING is self-service, including drinks, I won't leave a tip. If it's a place where they take my drink order and refill it and clean up after me, I'll leave a couple of dollars here and there. I certainly don't leave as much as I would at a normal restaurant because I'm serving myself, of course.

Answer 8

Usually 10% for buffet.

Answer 9

when I was in high school I worked at a buffet. I made over minimum wage and did not expect tips. So no, I do not tip at buffets unless the person goes out of their way refilling our drinks.

Answer 10

Personally I feel there is no need to tip on a buffet and I have never done it.