JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 262
  • Posts: 4021
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:25:51 AM permalink
Quote: VCUSkyhawk

I disagree with a portion of Commandment 10. I won't say I am an anti-tipper. But I definitely would want the ability to make my point of view against those who say that tipping is always necessary.



Which reminded me of something that we discussed a little bit while we were in Vegas last week.

What are the "guidelines", if any, for tipping at a Buffet ?

This is probably covered somewhere on this site or at WoO, but I don't know where off-hand.

15 percent (or more) is pretty well established for a restaurant meal, right ?

And does it make any difference if the buffet has a self service drink station, so your server is only removing used dishes ?
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
MrV
MrV
  • Threads: 364
  • Posts: 8158
Joined: Feb 13, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:31:03 AM permalink
For that matter, what should we do when confronted with "tip jars" at bakeries and other similar stores?

I think it is pure greed on their part, an unearned, unwarranted feeling of entitlement which is fueling the spread of this scourge.

We never tipped when buying bread or sweets before: why start now?
"What, me worry?"
VCUSkyhawk
VCUSkyhawk
  • Threads: 21
  • Posts: 644
Joined: Sep 22, 2013
August 3rd, 2014 at 9:34:22 AM permalink
Quote: MrV

For that matter, what should we do when confronted with "tip jars" at bakeries and other similar stores?

I think it is pure greed on their part, an unearned, unwarranted feeling of entitlement which is fueling the spread of this scourge.

We never tipped when buying bread or sweets before: why start now?



I agree. I forgot what thread it was, but somebody said that tipping at places like Jersey Mike's should be expected. Sorry, it is not my place to supplement your minimum wage job.

Along the lines of tipping when gambling, if you stand there and stare at me while flipping cards you do not deserve a tip either.
I got a plan, we take all your picks we reverse them like one of those twilight zone episodes where everything is the opposite. You say "black" we go white.
terapined
terapined
  • Threads: 89
  • Posts: 6092
Joined: Dec 1, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:07:12 AM permalink
I generally tip less at a buffet then a regular restaurant. The waitress is taking care of more tables because generally just getting drink orders.
I tip 1 to 2 bucks per person at a cheap 10 buck buffet.
average priced 20 buck buffet, I tip 2.
The expensive buffets, I may up it to 3 or 4 per person
sodawater
sodawater
  • Threads: 64
  • Posts: 3321
Joined: May 14, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:41:43 AM permalink
$2 per person.
Venthus
Venthus
  • Threads: 24
  • Posts: 1125
Joined: Dec 10, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:45:08 AM permalink
1-2$ per person is my standard, with bonus modifiers for service and mood.

I follow the same policy in VIP lounges, and actually tend towards the high end in there since I usually take a few drinks/snacks to go.
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
  • Threads: 164
  • Posts: 22272
Joined: Oct 10, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:47:26 AM permalink
Quote: terapined

I generally tip less at a buffet then a regular restaurant. The waitress is taking care of more tables because generally just getting drink orders.
I tip 1 to 2 bucks per person at a cheap 10 buck buffet.
average priced 20 buck buffet, I tip 2.
The expensive buffets, I may up it to 3 or 4 per person

I tip at the buffet as well however why do you think they deserve it more then McDonalds workers who probably work harder?
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
Ahigh
Ahigh
  • Threads: 90
  • Posts: 5197
Joined: May 19, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 10:58:46 AM permalink
I suggest tipping $1 per drink brought to you. If you get a soda, and you get five refills, that a $5 tip. If you're trying to save money and tell her "no drink just water is fine, I'm on a budget" hopefully she will understand if you leave $0.50 or $1.

I have made this point before about tipping at the craps table. It's no harder to push around a black chip than it is to push around a red chip.

You should tip according to the amount of work spent pushing chips around, not your own financial means and good fortune.

This rule works really well in a buffet scenario. $1 per drink. Easy.

Servers get pissed off when they see that you might have a couple thousand bucks and you tipped poorly. But that is not an entitlement to them (that YOU have money).

I tipped $5 for a drink at a $25 Bellagio craps table (a red bull with no ice). But this was mostly because I didn't want to ask for change after I failed to prepare ahead of time to get her a dollar. Normally, I tip $1 per drink and no exceptions. It wasn't because I wasn't using white chips and felt like $5 is no big deal. $5 is a big deal no matter how much money I have on the rail. And $1 per drink brought to me is enough, even if the buffet costs $45(!!!)
aahigh.com
Beardgoat
Beardgoat
  • Threads: 29
  • Posts: 876
Joined: Apr 2, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 11:42:14 AM permalink
I usually tip 1-2 bucks a person at a buffet no matter what the price is
tringlomane
tringlomane
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 6281
Joined: Aug 25, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 12:13:13 PM permalink
Usually $3 for 2 of us. If service was slow, $1 each. For Vegas this is probably a little below average. I'd assume the average at run of the mill buffets is $2 a person. And if drinks are self serve, $2 max for the two of us.
pokerface
pokerface
  • Threads: 12
  • Posts: 514
Joined: May 9, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 12:18:37 PM permalink
Quote: Ahigh

I suggest tipping $1 per drink brought to you. If you get a soda, and you get five refills, that a $5 tip.



I like this idea, which means for those buffets with self-service drink machines, no tip at all.
If you find the table yourself, get the food yourself, get the drink & refills yourself, and no one ever come taking the used dishes away,
why do you need to tip? And the real question is: tip to whom?
winning streaks come and go, losing streak never ends.
EvenBob
EvenBob
  • Threads: 441
  • Posts: 28576
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 1:37:13 PM permalink
We always tip $4 at every buffet. Watch other
people when they leave and how many of them
never tip at all, even though they bothered the
staff multiple times to get them something.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
terapined
terapined
  • Threads: 89
  • Posts: 6092
Joined: Dec 1, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 2:55:34 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I tip at the buffet as well however why do you think they deserve it more then McDonalds workers who probably work harder?



I actually dont think they desreve it more then Mcdonalds, its more of a tradition thing and expectation thing.
Its a restaurant atmosphere rather then fast food atmosphere so I follow the tradition of tipping.
Also buffet servers have an expectation of a tip where at Mcdonalds they dont.

Funny thing, alot times when eating out I like to eat at the bar in a restaurant. Bartender doesn't have to work hard for me, I typically order a coke, easy drink, no walk. Usually its somebody else that brings my food since I'm at the bar. Bartender does less work then a buffet server and I typically tip over 15 percent. I figure out 15 percent, add it to the bill and round up to the next dollar.
petroglyph
petroglyph
  • Threads: 19
  • Posts: 3360
Joined: Jan 3, 2013
August 3rd, 2014 at 3:14:09 PM permalink
Quote pokerface:
Quote:

If you find the table yourself, get the food yourself, get the drink & refills yourself, and no one ever come taking the used dishes away

Quote:




If that were the case it would probably mean......I am at home?

onenickelmiracle
onenickelmiracle
  • Threads: 212
  • Posts: 8277
Joined: Jan 26, 2012
August 3rd, 2014 at 3:32:02 PM permalink
Funny we pay to the people whose main job being to get you to leave. If it was all self-serve I believe people would stay longer. I go about $1-2 per $10 spent for the table.
I am a robot.
98Clubs
98Clubs
  • Threads: 52
  • Posts: 1728
Joined: Jun 3, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 5:58:43 PM permalink
I the day at Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun I'd tip $2-$3 cash at table. The table-runners/servers are pretty low-end service jobs.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
Dieter
Administrator
Dieter
  • Threads: 16
  • Posts: 5479
Joined: Jul 23, 2014
August 3rd, 2014 at 6:24:15 PM permalink
At a buffet, I generally tip about 10% if I'm paying, or 20% if it's comped.

I get mailers from the local store for buffet dinner for the family once a week, for the three of us (2 grups, 1 little), it's a $10 tip on what would be a $45 check.

I definitely notice that a lot (30-60%?) of other parties not tipping or tipping significantly less; I also notice that my drinks get refilled more quickly and my plates get bussed promptly, so I'm buying better service rather than just giving money away for nothing.
May the cards fall in your favor.
pokerface
pokerface
  • Threads: 12
  • Posts: 514
Joined: May 9, 2010
August 3rd, 2014 at 7:09:18 PM permalink
Quote: petroglyph


If that were the case it would probably mean......I am at home?



Not necessarily.
I had that kind of experience at more than one Strip buffets.
During my 30 or so minutes dinner time, never seen a waiter/waitress/service-person coming to my table.
It didn't bother me though.
winning streaks come and go, losing streak never ends.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 4th, 2014 at 6:47:38 AM permalink
Quote: Ahigh

I have made this point before about tipping at the craps table. It's no harder to push around a black chip than it is to push around a red chip.



You ignore the mass-specie-fiat equivalency, as defined by the Law of Universal Inflation.

That said, I tip more when I get a discounted or free buffet.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
FatGeezus
FatGeezus
  • Threads: 10
  • Posts: 563
Joined: Jun 12, 2010
August 4th, 2014 at 9:33:56 AM permalink
All this talk about tipping reminds me of a story of a big Hollywood star who was checking into his hotel suite. He asked the bell boy what was the biggest tip that you ever received?

The bell boy replied $100.

The Hollywood star said well "here's $200".

The bell boy thanked him and was ready to leave and the Hollywood actor said...."one other thing. Who was the person who gave you the $100 tip"?

The bell boy replied.....YOU!!!!
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
  • Threads: 164
  • Posts: 22272
Joined: Oct 10, 2012
August 4th, 2014 at 10:21:13 AM permalink
Quote: FatGeezus

All this talk about tipping reminds me of a story of a big Hollywood star who was checking into his hotel suite. He asked the bell boy what was the biggest tip that you ever received?

The bell boy replied $100.

The Hollywood star said well "here's $200".

The bell boy thanked him and was ready to leave and the Hollywood actor said...."one other thing. Who was the person who gave you the $100 tip"?

The bell boy replied.....YOU!!!!

(:
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
HughJass
HughJass
  • Threads: 4
  • Posts: 40
Joined: Jul 20, 2014
August 4th, 2014 at 10:26:11 AM permalink
I used to know a moyel who didn't charge for circumcisions. He only took tips.
Lemieux66
Lemieux66
  • Threads: 24
  • Posts: 1226
Joined: Feb 16, 2014
August 4th, 2014 at 10:27:03 AM permalink
I give 20% at buffets. Always. Of course, I get the discount and the buffet is $10
10 eyes for an eye. 10 teeth for a tooth. 10 bucks for a buck?! Hit the bad guys where it hurts the most: the face and the wallet.
  • Jump to: