Tipping at the buffet

[johngross]

At a sit down restaurant I usually tip the customary 15-20%, or even more if exceptional service was given. But at a buffet, where the server justs brings a glass of water and takes away a couple of empty plates, I'm more inclined to tip 10-15%.

What do you do?

 

[JayFramer]

It depends on how nice they were.

Around these parts, there are some comely waitresses who’d be a joy just delivering the water or beer! To them, I say, a big tip young beauty!!

 

[chief38]

I don't go to Buffets. They usually have mediocre food at best and I tend to over eat just because it's there.

That said, if service is exceptional, a less than normal tip (as you would leave for a full meal being served) might be a nice thing to do but not obligatory.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I’ll usually leave a smaller tip at a buffet.
Probably in the range of 10%.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

My regular tip is 15-20% at restaurants, and to the ladies that cut my hair. At buffets I leave $2.00 which is my minimum tip - after all, what can you buy these days for $1.00?

Regards,

Dave

 

[Daniel Howe]

IF they provide good service and make me happy I'll tip $5. If not they get nothing.

 

[Wrangler Rich]

I leave 20%, because usually the wait staff are elderly ladies that appear to be working for survival purposes. I wouldn't want to wish that on anyone. I know they are there for the money, and I applaud their work ethic. It is sad really.

WR

 

[CajunBass]

I leave 20%, because usually the wait staff are elderly ladies that appear to be working for survival purposes. I wouldn't want to wish that on anyone. I know they are there for the money, and I applaud their work ethic. It is sad really.

WR

This. Sometimes I'll go past the 20% mark. I figure the Lord has blessed me so often, I can pass some of it along to someone else.

And my wife used to wait tables before I met her. She knows how little waitstaff gets paid.

 

[italiansport]

The only buffets I ever go to are the ones the casinos here have with crab legs. My usual tip is 10%.
Jim

 

[JayFramer]

The only buffets I ever go to are the ones the casinos here have with crab legs. My usual tip is 10%.
Jim

Come to Vegas to eat some excellent crab’s legs buffets!!

 

[sigp220.45]

I hate buffets, but went to one with a bunch of cop buddies because they wanted to go. I watched a little kid pick up the jello cubes, lick them, and put them back. I spent the rest of lunch trying to get somebody to eat the jello.

I tip heavy, even at buffets. I used to work for tips.

 

[ladder13]

10% is minimum, we mostly tip 15-20. Those folks work hard.
The Hard Rock in Tampa has an excellent buffet, get there 10 minutes to 4pm and pay the lunch rate and not the dinner rate.

 

[vt_shooter]

A 10% tip when you serve yourself seems excessive.

 

[df06]

At regular restaurants, I leave 0-30%depending on service. At buffets, though rarely eat at one, 0-10%.

 

[LVSteve]

Probably 10% at most. After all, who does most of the getting and bringing the food when you are in a buffet.

I know some folk who are as cheap as $1 a head at the table. I know I'm a skinflint at times, but really? This isn't 1975.

 

[Skeet 028]

When I go to the Golden Corral(only buffet for a couple hundred miles). I tip 2 bucks for one person and 3 for 2. Wait staff is typically older ladies and I being older, appreciate the fact they probably can use the money. My granddaughter works as a waitress in a high end restaurant and she told me last week she makes 3.50 an hour but does extremely well with tips. She told me that figure too and holy toledo!! But she is very pretty, courteous and attentive. In a regular restaurant I tip 15-20% if the service is good. Oh and I know this is kinda nitpicking but I do not like wait staff with tattoos and piercings all over them

 

[Farmer17]

I go to Panera Bread pretty regularly with a group of guys in the morning where we get coffee and you have to wait in a long line and pay at the counter then you grab a coffee cup and fill it yourself and when you sit down you usually have to clean the table off from the last group. Many times when you go to refill your expensive coffee they are out and when you pay there is a computer touchscreen with tip amounts from 10% to 40% and I have never tipped once and probably won't ever.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The only buffet I go to at present is a small Chinese one. I note they have low turnover in wait staff-all Chinese girls, their English is limited, but they recognize me, get my regular drink, work hard, so it's 20%.

 

[rubiranch]

Regardless of where I eat I seldom leave less than a $10 on the table, always cash.

Lots of people don't tip at buffets so I hope the $10 I leave helps make up for the cheapskates who don't leave any tip.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Regardless of where I eat I seldom leave less than a $10 on the table, always cash.

Lots of people don't tip at buffets so I hope the $10 I leave helps make up for the cheapskates who don't leave any tip.

I know some folks in Utah-
They asked me not to reveal their identifies -
They follow rubiranch around and pick up his tips!