Tipping on expensive buffets

[Anonymous]

Not sure where to put this, so I may cross-post. What percent do you tip waitstaff who assist with an expensive breakfast buffet, like at a Ritz Carlton? The buffet can be $40/head, but the waitstaff do almost nothing. I’m happy to give 10% but cringe at 20%. 20% seems offensive to waitstaff who provide full service for an extended luxury meal.

[Anonymous]

I would do the standard 20 percent.

[Anonymous]

They’re still getting you drinks wnd bussing your plates and all other parts of customer care. Leaving the discussion of whether tipping is a good option for customers and workers aside, I will go with the standard DCUM retort of “if you can’t afford to tip the waitstaff 18%, you can’t afford to eat at that restaurant and stay home,

[Anonymous]

When I worked at a hotel that had a brunch buffet on the weekends the wait staff had to set up the buffet and keep it stocked and get the customers whatever they happened to want, it was usually as much work as a normal shift. Tip 20% or eat at home.

[Anonymous]

I tip a couple dollars per person in our party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m happy to give 10% but cringe at 20%. 20% seems offensive to waitstaff who provide full service for an extended luxury meal.

That’s a new one.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t experienced waitstaff doing less than a normal dining experience at a high end buffet. If they actually did “almost nothing” (didn’t greet you, didn’t tell you about what’s on offer and where, didn’t take drink orders, didn’t keep them refilled, didn’t make sure your table was bussed of extra plates, didn’t check in to resolve any issues) then sure. Tip less for poor service. But the only thing they don’t do at a buffet when service is good is carry your plate of selections from the buffet to the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tip a couple dollars per person in our party.

At the ritz or golden corral??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I worked at a hotel that had a brunch buffet on the weekends the wait staff had to set up the buffet and keep it stocked and get the customers whatever they happened to want, it was usually as much work as a normal shift. Tip 20% or eat at home.

I was going to say when I worked a brunch buffet I actually did more work than the expensive dinner service. Refilling coffee, clearing small plates (our bussers only did the final clear), etc.