Tips in restaurants....!

[X_laura_X]

Me and my bf are going to Florida in 3 weeks (the countdown seems to have slowed down now!!) and we are really confused on the tipping system in restaurants?Do they add it on the price of the meal or do we need to add it on ourselves?And is it sill 10%?Thanks X

[BONZO]

Hi,

Tipping can be an emotive issue but check out this thread (http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=212183&highlight=tipping)


Some will show an advised, discretionary amount and others will leave it blank.

[nick]

Just check your bill before you tip as sometimes it is already added on so you don't want to tip twice.As for how much to tip I think realistically it is between 15%-20% but you decide how much depending on the level of service you have got.Hope this helps.:wave:

[fbsm41]

Just a quick note on this subject. We were under the impression you 'had to' tip at least 20%, but soon realised that this wasnt what your average American was doing. But we went into Chilis twice, once during the week, where the service charge is discretionary and not added to the bill, then again on a Saturday night, where it is. They added 20%, which we thought was excessive as the service wasnt very good, so left 10%. The waitress came back twice to us to say we hadnt paid enough!! So I eventually spoke to the manager and explained that I had paid the correct amount for the bill plus a tip at my discretion. They werent too pleased, but I objected to being told I had to tip a certain amount regardless of the service received.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Like Bonzo mentioned this can be a hard topic to discuss because it is opinion based. As an American I will offer the following advice as what is typical. This is what my family/friends uses as a rule of thumb.

Lunch - Counter Service/Drive-Thru's tipping is not necessary. At a sit down restaurant 10-15% (leaning towards 15%) of the bill is typical. At a buffet restaurant where a server does more than find you a seat (meaning refills drinks, clears plates, offers additional help) $2-3 would be ideal.


Dinner - Counter Service/Drive-Thru's tipping is not necessary. At a sit down restaurant 18-20% of the bill is typical. At a buffet restaurant where a server does more than find you a seat (meaning refills drinks, clears plates, offers additional help) $2-3 would be ideal.


*The buffet restaurants is one place that servers know to expect the unexpected as even some Americans feel tipping isn't always necessary. The reality is they are providing a service but since it is isn't a full service they often get overlooked. Most of these servers make more than standard sit down service because of this but it isn't at a hourly rate high enough that tipping isn't necessary. Leave a little something as they honestly do need that from you.

If you are totally confused use 15% regardless of time of day. This would be better than leaving nothing at all. If you are in a fine dining restaurant where a larger tip would be ideal most of the places would include it on their bill anyway so the 15% would work for all other options.


**IMPORTANT** - A lot of restaurants have been changing their policies in the tourisim corridor where gratuity is concerned. This has been very hit or miss and as a result can be confusing. Restaurants use to add gratuity to parties of 6-8 or larger (noted on the menu) and the standard for that ranges from 18-20%.

However, it seems that a lot of restaurants in the I-Drive, LBV and 192 areas are adding in gratuity automatically regardless of your table size. Due to this I strongly suggest you look at your bill closely.

This has stemmed from a lot of people not understanding our custom of tipping and leaving without tipping properly (or at all). Unfortunately they (the restaurants) haven't done the right thing (at least not that I've experienced) and made you aware that the gratuity has been added and that unless you feel you want/need to you don't need to add to it.

With credit card machines being a standard receipt it will print with a line indicating it needs to be added. If the gratuity has been added I always suggest that you put either a line or 0.00 on the tip line so that nothing is added once you've left. Sadly that can happen from time to time but in all of my years here it has only happened to one of my family members once.



On a personal note I will always believe that if there is a problem with service you should speak to the manager about it. It is only then that I would explain that I would not be leaving gratuity.

I am also of the opnion that I am entitled to determine what percentage to leave. The only exception I would take to this would be if the restaurant has their gratuity policy noted on menu.

I often don't post on these threads because it can become quite heated and opions will always be different. As long as you can recognize cultural differences where gratuity is concerned and try to go with an average you will be fine. This isn't something to stress over or get wrapped up in prior to your visit. Hopefully all of your experiences will be good ones and you'll enjoy every part of your holiday!

[ollie]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Excellent answer to a good question.

Ian:wave:

[alisonjones]

Great info Flgirl - i don't like it when they add the service charge on the bottom of the bill as I would never speak up and say I wasn't happy with the service :blush::blush: I would be too embarresed to do so which is stupid I know (just don't want to get anyone into trouble and lack guts really) I would probably just not go there again if they added service charge on and the service was rubbish:blush:
Alison

[X_laura_X]

I dont think i could argue that i had paid enough either...fair play to you tho fbsm41!!I dont believe in all this 'you must pay a tip' business,i think if the service is worth tipping then you do...its all a matter of opinion.Thanks for all your help!Im abit worried because my bf has never been to US and doesnt understand it likes a law to tip,he thinks we will get away will hardly leaving any...hes got a lot to learn then!

[Andi]

Oh and I think that you pay a tip on the amount before Tax is added rather than including the government tax in the figure you use to work out the tip.

But if I am wrong on this someone will let you know.

[RT7]

At a buffet restaurant where a server does more than find you a seat (meaning refills drinks, clears plates, offers additional help) $2-3 would be ideal.





Would that be $2-3 per person left or per table?

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Per table. Basically it is a self service situation but they do take care of you now and again so a little something is appropriate.

[themeparksandy]

I never understand why you have to tip taxi drivers. Is it cause Americans dont enough alot of money and need theses tips to live on.

[RT7]

Per table. Basically it is a self service situation but they do take care of you now and again so a little something is appropriate.

Thanks for that info.

Think we may have been overtipping over the past few years, we have always left about $5-7 in Ponderosa!

[russrattan]

sorry i have spoken lots about tipping-i totally disagree with how much we are expected to tip 20% is far to much you would never give that much in this country-call me tight but i wont be giving all my money away in tips-if the servers dont get paid very good thats not my fault-also being on the free ddp-how can i give 2o% when the meal is free?

[FLGirl-UKNow]

To the best of my knowledge the average wage for a taxi driver (tips included) is $7.08 per hour. This is before taxes to the government and most drivers supply, insure and care for their own vehicle.

By law (Fair Labor Act) an employer of someone who is gratuity earning is only required to pay an employee $2.13 per hour (I think I'm current....if not I'm very close). The tip would average it out to what is minimum wage for this country. Currently the minimum wage is $5.85.

Gratuity is just a different thing here in America. It was very hard for me not to put a lot of money on the table when I lived in the UK. It just boils down to understanding common custom and trying to be a part of that.

[BarryandCaron]

At a buffet restaurant where a server does more than find you a seat (meaning refills drinks, clears plates, offers additional help) $2-3 would be ideal.

*The buffet restaurants is one place that servers know to expect the unexpected as even some Americans feel tipping isn't always necessary. The reality is they are providing a service but since it is isn't a full service they often get overlooked. Most of these servers make more than standard sit down service because of this but it isn't at a hourly rate high enough that tipping isn't necessary. Leave a little something as they honestly do need that from you.

We eat at a lot of Disney character buffets (3 of us), are you saying we should leave just $9 for a gratuity? This would work out approx 15% for breakfast buffets but less for dinner buffets. We usually leave approx 20% whether for buffets or sit down meals.

Caron

[FLGirl-UKNow]

I hope this doesn't confuse anyone further but on a WDW buffet (or any park/resort) I, personally, would consider leaving more than the $2-3. The buffets that I was referring to (and I should have made that more clear, sorry) are places like Golden Coral, Ponderosa, Sweet Tomatos, etc.. The places that are cheap and chearful to begin with.

Character meals would mean that you are staying longer and your server is probably doing more. I don't think I'd be compelled to leave as much as I would for a standard sit down/menu meal but I would leave more than an offsite buffet. A scenario like that would be personal discretion.

Does that make sense?

[ollie]

Yup:thumbs-up

[MarkUKinOrlando]

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

(or in this case Orlandians*)


*..sounds like an alien race in Star Trek ;)

[BarryandCaron]

I hope this doesn't confuse anyone further but on a WDW buffet (or any park/resort) I, personally, would consider leaving more than the $2-3. The buffets that I was referring to (and I should have made that more clear, sorry) are places like Golden Coral, Ponderosa, Sweet Tomatos, etc.. The places that are cheap and chearful to begin with.

Character meals would mean that you are staying longer and your server is probably doing more. I don't think I'd be compelled to leave as much as I would for a standard sit down/menu meal but I would leave more than an offsite buffet. A scenario like that would be personal discretion.

Does that make sense?

Yes thank you :thumbs-up

[san40blue]

if we do a character buffet breakfast and it comes to $120 would it be alright to leave $18 or is that too much a its a buffet, but you still get a server:confused2

[FLGirl-UKNow]

If I was in that situation I would probably leave $15-18 based on time spent at the table and amount of service received. You have paid for more than just a meal at Character Meals so if they enhance your experience the higher gratuity is well deserved/earned.

[pinkypominnie]

We have always had excellent service in Orlando (and everywhere in america) outstanding compared to a lot in this country, and we have always been more than happy to leave approx 20%. We dont have loads of money spare but think its just good courtesy in a country where the wages are so law and the income is reliant on tips - especially if you have recieved good service :) x

[CruellaDeVilla]

I don't normally get involved in these type of threads as they get heated but I too have watched to see what American and Canadians leave and it is rarely 20%.

I do tip what I consider correct for wherever I am but what I don't like is having to leave a fortune in a fine dining place say because you are celebrating and splashing out, someone else profs out of it.

When in Rome I guess...........

[MarkUKinOrlando]

I'm in the catering business and I've never agreed with tipping. I've met some of Orlando's more prominent restaurant owners and judging from the cars they park in our club's car park (Lamborghini, Maserati, Shelby Mustangs etc) they can afford to pay everyone in their establishment a decent wage. Having said that, the 'When in Rome' phrase is still valid. Respect the ways, laws and customs of another country that you're a guest in. You'd expect the same of visitors to your own country.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

If you are on a dining plan that you have gotten free with your holiday package that doesn't mean that your wait staff is being compensated for your 'deal'. You, if doing as in Rome would do, would base your tip on what the value of the meal was as if you were being handed a bill. Their gratuity is based on 'service' not your 'meal'.

At the end of the day everyone has to make their own decision (including Americans who tip inappropriately) and fortunately there are more people making the right choice and tipping appropriately or asking for advice because of wanting to do so than people who don't tip appropriately.

[Dreamers]

I would just like to say thank you FLGirl, some good helpful advice on a tricky subject, seems much clearer now, we have been double over tipping :blush: up to oct last year when eating at buffet diners we realised, to late when checking receipts, that as a party of 10 the gratuity had already been added, but now know rather than a few $'s we were adding about 15%/ $15 ish, so glad we found the dibb :)

[Gillalisha]

If you are on a dining plan that you have gotten free with your holiday package that doesn't mean that your wait staff is being compensated for your 'deal'. You, if doing as in Rome would do, would base your tip on what the value of the meal was as if you were being handed a bill. Their gratuity is based on 'service' not your 'meal'.

At the end of the day everyone has to make their own decision (including Americans who tip inappropriately) and fortunately there are more people making the right choice and tipping appropriately or asking for advice because of wanting to do so than people who don't tip appropriately.

Totally agree. The problem is with the people (mostly british) who know what you are supposed to tip (from the internet and friends / relatives etc) but just refuse too. This gives the rest of us such a bad rep in the US.

[MarkUKinOrlando]

'This gives the rest of us such a bad rep in the US.'

Exactly. Some of the servers at our club work a second job in the ID area (and wouldn't need to if they were paid properly!) have come up to me and said "What's wrong with your people? Why don't they tip properly?"..my usual reply is "They don't know how to in this country"

Thankfully the wonderful FLGirl (;)) has helped a number of people.

[kirstyayoung]

I must admit i do find it very difficult to decide what to tip and where. I am glad that i have read this thread though as i was tipping at the buffet places the correct amount as per Flgirl's advice. I got a bit confused when i got my nails done in one of the walmarts though, i think it was about $20 and i gave him $8 as a tip. He did a really good job, was very polite and if i converted it into our currency it was still a snip. Where could you get your nails done here for £14??
I do agree with tipping as i do the same here however i think i would be a little miffed if it was put on my bill as i think it is my choice as to what i tip, generally the service is outstanding and couldn't be better but i have had a few instances when it has been lousy too. Thank you very much Flgirl for your wonderful advice, it will come in very handy next trip.

[Mick the munch]

An excellent discussion.

I do get fed up with people who go to the US on holiday and think it is some kind of sport to avoid tipping. (not that I am suggesting this applies to anyone in this chain) I have been embarrassed listening to some holidaymakers bragging about not paying tips and giving forth their views on why they should not follow local customs.

I actually feel defensive going into some restaurants because I expect the waiting staff to already be wondering if "this customer" is going to tip or not.

The way I look at it is that the restaurant is getting the money from the bill and I am paying the waiting staff direct. Perhaps the fact that eating out is so cheap is something to do with the full cost of wages not being added to the costs in the first place. If waiting staff were all paid full wages in the first place then the menu price would go up so we would end up paying the same anyway.

It is because of poor behaviour by tourists that service charges are starting to be added and that reflects badly on us as visitors.

[buffalo]

Thanks for all the advice. I think we just get confused as we dont want to overtip but then again dont wish to offend by not leaving a large enough tip. Think I'll have to take notes on the info here as I'm bound to forget.

[tiggerfan144]

I tip 15 to 20%. I dont tip that much in this country but then again ive never seen anywhere here you can go to a restaurant like Ponderosa and have steak plus have full use of and all you can eat buffet from soup to salads to fruit plus all the other stuff and have ice cream to finish off for about £6. Plus all you free refills on drinks

[russrattan]

can i just say that i am against the amount that you are expected to tip at disney restaurants who i think are overprised anyway-so don,t tell me the food in these places is cheap-if you are dinning at ponderosa etc i would gladly tip these 20% but just because you are paying about 4 times the amount why should you leave a massive tip-where is the fairness in that -i think it should be set amount where ever you are dinning-

[BarryandCaron]

can i just say that i am against the amount that you are expected to tip at disney restaurants who i think are overprised anyway-so don,t tell me the food in these places is cheap-if you are dinning at ponderosa etc i would gladly tip these 20% but just because you are paying about 4 times the amount why should you leave a massive tip-where is the fairness in that -i think it should be set amount where ever you are dinning-

Of course Disney restaurants will be more expensive, no one is forcing you to eat at them.

Seeing as you got a bargain and free food the least you could do would be to leave decent tips.

Caron

[alisonjones]

can i just say that i am against the amount that you are expected to tip at disney restaurants who i think are overprised anyway-so don,t tell me the food in these places is cheap-if you are dinning at ponderosa etc i would gladly tip these 20% but just because you are paying about 4 times the amount why should you leave a massive tip-where is the fairness in that -i think it should be set amount where ever you are dinning-

Not going to get into a debate here but Disney, Universal etc are bound to be dearer - they have far higher overheads and look at the surroundings and service they are providing. If it wasn't for Disney and the likes Ponderosa and those would not be thriving in these parts surely?? I tip in this country aswell as the states as I used to waitress myself and always think of the running about our servers have to do for us - at the end of the day they are servers not servants

[russrattan]

i dont care but if disney are offering FREE dinning then it should be free-they gave FREE dinning i did,nt ask for it-iam still spending over £5500 on flights acommadation etc-which we have made many many sacrifices to get to this target we are not loaded like a lot of people seem to be here on the dibb so please tell me why i should give it all away in tips-and if it was,nt free ddp we would,nt be staying at wdw or eating there we would eat at the cheaper places-if thats a problem with people iam not bothered-we are just a normal family that have normal jobs -we are not two bob snobs

[alisonjones]

i dont care but if disney are offering FREE dinning then it should be free-they gave FREE dinning i did,nt ask for it-iam still spending over £5500 on flights acommadation etc-which we have made many many sacrifices to get to this target we are not loaded like a lot of people seem to be here on the dibb so please tell me why i should give it all away in tips-and if it was,nt free ddp we would,nt be staying at wdw or eating there we would eat at the cheaper places-if thats a problem with people iam not bothered-we are just a normal family that have normal jobs -we are not two bob snobs

I am nor a two bob snob nor can I afford to stay at Disney sacrifices or free ddp or not - we are not loaded nor do we give it all away in tips - nor should you - nobody is saying that - we work hard and save hard to go on our family holiday - I do not take into account tipping separately when I am budgeting for our holiday - they are just part of our daily expenses. I don't see why some people have to turn these kind of threads into slanging matches when the original op was a simple enough question - and FLgirl gave a great answer.

[BarryandCaron]

i dont care but if disney are offering FREE dinning then it should be free-they gave FREE dinning i did,nt ask for it-iam still spending over £5500 on flights acommadation etc-which we have made many many sacrifices to get to this target we are not loaded like a lot of people seem to be here on the dibb so please tell me why i should give it all away in tips-and if it was,nt free ddp we would,nt be staying at wdw or eating there we would eat at the cheaper places-if thats a problem with people iam not bothered-we are just a normal family that have normal jobs -we are not two bob snobs

We are definitely not loaded or two bob snobs :omg: we just like to follow the customs of the country we are visiting.

We are never going to agree over this so I will stop now. I just hope we never meet in the same restaurants this year because I would be so ashamed to be British.:omg:

Caron

[russrattan]

dont worry beacause iam not british -i,m from pakistan

[san40blue]

i am so glad that most of us agree to tipping, I was a bit confused before on how much to give but i think i have got it now!!!! Our holiday didnt cost as much as some peoples and we are going indirectly to save money but I was still follow American tradition and leave a tip as those people serving us have to eat and make payments like the rest of us!!! ;)If i won the lottery i would eat in the best resturants and leave massive tips!!!!!:pgig:

[Bozza]

Posted via Mobile Device

First-timers may have an excuse - tipping culture in the UK and US is different.

However, how anyone who has read this thread can still not tip around the normal 15% level (for table service) in Orlando is a bit beyond me.

In fact, maybe that's part of the problem - it isn't really a "tip" as we understand it - it is a service charge - the money your server needs to live off.

The "waiting staff should be paid a proper wage" line is very poor, and invalid when one is aware of the reality of the situation. If waiting staff were paid a "proper wage" then the menu price of your meal would be higher.

So just do the right, decent and proper thing and add that 15%. You should be including this in your holiday budgeting.

[The Bobbo's]

We went to Boma last year and had the service charge added, I think it was about $70 -80, for a party of 9. Our server showed us to our table and brought over a round of drinks - and that was it. I assumed that we had to tip that amount but reading the advice here, would it have been frowned on to have left a tip of say, $25, instead? Just wondering as we are visiting later this year, though only a party of 4 this time.

[The Bobbo's]

Oops should have added, being that Boma is classed as a buffet and not that we are tight ;0)

[tiggerfan144]

LOL :pgig:



So how little are you planning to leave at a Disney restaurant?

Caron

If im getting the ddp free then i can afford to tip at least 15%. If im paying for a meal at Disney then if i can afford to eat there(which i dont by the way) then again i can afford to tip. If you are not going to tip i hope you are not goign to the same restaurant twice as the second time there would be no reason to tip as your service will be so poor you wont feel like leaving one

[san40blue]

:erm:I think all the resturants should stick it on at the end regardless and then we wouldnt have a choice, if the service is bad then take it up with the manager!!

[MarkUKinOrlando]

"The "waiting staff should be paid a proper wage" line is very poor, and invalid when one is aware of the reality of the situation. If waiting staff were paid a "proper wage" then the menu price of your meal would be higher".


Not quite, you'd need to be aware of how a restaurant runs, food costs etc etc.

The reality is reasonably priced meal + server gratuity would equal meal price, proper wage included. Simple really, and I think it was pointed out earlier in the thread.

[Brinkz]

Thanks FLgirl for the balanced advice.

So basically, my actual bill is only covering the cost of food, restaraunt amenities and other running costs for the eatery, with a little added on for wage (barely more than a quid) - hence why the food is such great value!!! I struggle to understand how any Brit can claim that disney food is overpriced - for example, if we had a Crystal Palace buffet in this country do you really think it would cost only £10 per adult and £6 per child?!?! Look at the variety and quality of food, look at the experience, we wouldn't bat an eyelid at paying £20 per person!!!

I have the free dining plan and i am doing my next trip on a budget, but i can still afford to put £125 to the side for tips - where else can you eat out every day for two weeks at a fancy restaraunt, with a family, for £125???

How have a worked this out? Well my dining plan would've totalled £50 per day for my group, so i multiply that by the exchange rate, divide by 100 and multiply by 18 to get a daily amount for food tips - then i just multiply by the number of nights i'm in Disney!

I know it's not precise, but it's a rough estimate and i won't be worrying about running out of cash.

We're the first to complain about people not respecting our customs when they come to Britain...

[BarryandCaron]

Thanks FLgirl for the balanced advice.

So basically, my actual bill is only covering the cost of food, restaraunt amenities and other running costs for the eatery, with a little added on for wage (barely more than a quid) - hence why the food is such great value!!! I struggle to understand how any Brit can claim that disney food is overpriced - for example, if we had a Crystal Palace buffet in this country do you really think it would cost only £10 per adult and £6 per child?!?! Look at the variety and quality of food, look at the experience, we wouldn't bat an eyelid at paying £20 per person!!!

I have the free dining plan and i am doing my next trip on a budget, but i can still afford to put £125 to the side for tips - where else can you eat out every day for two weeks at a fancy restaraunt, with a family, for £125???

How have a worked this out? Well my dining plan would've totalled £50 per day for my group, so i multiply that by the exchange rate, divide by 100 and multiply by 18 to get a daily amount for food tips - then i just multiply by the number of nights i'm in Disney!

I know it's not precise, but it's a rough estimate and i won't be worrying about running out of cash.

We're the first to complain about people not respecting our customs when they come to Britain...

An excellent well thought out post:thumbs-up I worked out roughly our tips for the free DDP when we first booked last year so that we would have enough.

Caron