Wedding Etiquette Forum

NWR - Tipping Etiquette

What percent tip do you leave at a buffet restaurant?

On the one hand, I can see leaving less than the standard 20% since all the server typically does is refill drinks and clear plates. However, I'll concede that I've never been a server, and other than taking your order and bringing you your food, I'm not sure how a buffet server and a regular restaurant server differ all that much.

FI and I were discussing this earlier today. Curious to see what you guys think.
Anniversary

Re: NWR - Tipping Etiquette

  • For us, it doesn't matter.  We do at least 20% regardless of what kind of service.  Typically, buffets are significantly cheaper than full service restaurants, so it's not like 20% is a whole lot more than 10 or 15%.  If I'm debating between a few dollars, I just leave the few dollars for the server.
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  • I suppose it depends on the buffet.  

    Buffet at the Biltmore house, I'd leave a better tip than at Golden Corral as the server likely does much more.

    Someplace like GC, I would do a dollar per person unless the server did more than just refil my water once or twice and clear plates.


  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-tipping-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9d55d009-7c90-40d8-a920-7018001904fdPost:68f392d5-497f-4a1a-840d-81c573f8cae8">Re: NWR - Tipping Etiquette</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have no idea but your cat is effing adorable.
    Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]

    <div>Ha, thanks :-)</div>
    Anniversary
  • For me it depends on how many drinks or other stuff I ordered and how many times they asked how I was.

    If they just got me water once and nothing else, then maybe a few dollars. If I ordered alcohol and they were at the table a bunch of times checking up on me, probably 20%.

    Planning Bio
    Married 9/15/11

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    *This is Not Legal Advice*
  • I always leave 20% in all tipping situations unless the service was appallingly bad. If I receive extraordinary service I will sometimes tip up to 50% (depending on how big the bill is). My FI worked lots of food service jobs and I know how hard it can be to be a server so I try to respect that.
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  • I guess we usually hit around 20% no matter where we are, we feel bad leaving less.  We're also the type who will leave a few extra bucks just to avoid having to get change.  And when I'm out with friends, everyone just throws in and whatever's left gets left for a tip, regardless of how much "too much" it is.  We were all there once.
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