DiningBuzz! - How much do you tip at a buffet?

When you get your own food and drinks, how much do you tip?

Depends on the service. If they do nothing, the plates pile up, nothing. If I only have one plate and they make an effort probably a dollar a plate.

If they are right on top of it all, where the table is clean when I get back from getting another plate I may go a bit higher.

Depends on the service. If they do nothing, the plates pile up, nothing. If I only have one plate and they make an effort probably a dollar a plate.

If they are right on top of it all, where the table is clean when I get back from getting another plate I may go a bit higher.

That's about my level, but then my wife's not fond of buffets, especially the currently rampant "Chinese" sort, so my encounters are only when traveling alone where alternatives are few.

There are some things in life better left to others....Among them are "Mexican Food Buffets".

Usually a dollar or two/person.

Usually a euro. If it's the Loch Ness Monster serving, then tree fiddy.

Usually a euro. If it's the Loch Ness Monster serving, then tree fiddy.

And about twofiddy if there's a sale on Loch Ness munchies?


I tip about the same as most people dollar or so a plate, more if the server makes an effort to clean plates/refill drinks.

Usually a dollar or two/person.

This depending on service.

Good thing is you get a choice of food, and choice to tip.
Buck is fine...
Not Like Obama's Plan, but if they put some skin and a smile they get extra...

If they act like the Deserve it like Obama they may get a pass..
A tip like success is earned by doing extra.

Not much but perhaps I should do more. It's easy to think that "I" am doing all of the work at the buffet. I'm kind of anti-tip these days, with so many tip jars put in front of you.

When I travel, I get stressed at times wondering if I have enough small bills for tips and whether I should tip everyone I encounter. I would love to just tip with smiles and kindness.

Usually a dollar or two/person.

^

The service is essentially busing the table.

If it's a totally self service place (including being encouraged to bus one's own dirty dishes) like the breakfast buffet at Hampton Inn or Residence Inn (or in a lounge where the service is nothing special): nothing. If there's some service like bringing coffee and/or juice and removing dirty dishes: $1 (per person). For a fancy buffet with some service: $2 per person as the norm. Certainly not 15-20% of the bill.

Nothing. Never known anyone else to either. :)

Never known anyone who doesn't leave a decent tip. At buffets, the service is just more diffuse. It's not just how well the plates are cleared, but how promptly cocktails, dinner drinks are served and how well the buffet is stocked. Generally, you aren't tipping your wait person, but the tips go into a pool.

I tend to tip on the high side for personal service at the table (20% rounded up) and on the low side (according to my colleagues) at buffets (10%).

It depends on where I'm at. Here in Australia, nothing. It's not the custom and people are generally paid a livable wage (minimum is about $16 per hour compared to $7.25 in the USA and the exchange rates are about even right now). Elsewhere, it depends on local custom and level of service.

Don´t tip at buffets.

In Las Vegas where virtually every casino has a buffet, the various publications which one finds in their rooms used to suggest $1, now they are suggesting $2. [Remember the waiters bring you a drink (orange juice in the morning, a soft drink in the evening) and coffee at the end of the meal--not a "big" amount of service--and periodically (maybe:)) will remove dirty plates from the tables.]
[Side note: In some areas of the USA one is FORBIDDEN from re-using plates at a buffet, each time you head out to get more goodies, you are supposed to use a fresh plate--so the plates can pile up if not removed regularly.]

$0-$2 depending on the service. One can't be expected to tip the normal 15-20%, especially if you're basing that on a super inflated hotel buffet price (such as the $22.95 they're asking at the Doubletree I'm staying at now). There's no was I would pay $30 (after tip) for a shady buffet breakfast!