Tipping is this fair ?

[DisneySurprisePA]

Just a thought, but a large part of what makes dining at a signature restaurant an experience over just having a meal somewhere is the service you receive. For a good server, it is SO much more than keeping your glasses filled and bringing you the check. Most people could NOT be the calabar of server they themselves EXPECT from a Disney signature restaurant. So much goes on you take for granted while you enjoy your meal. Appreciate that.

Or, just look at it in a purely selfish way, if your tight fisted ideas of tipping spread, then that pool of excellent servers will find other jobs in the industry that do not require tipping. A hard working employee is always in demand. Then when you come back to that lovely establishment you may find your experience is not what you expected.

And, if you feel your dining experience was less than what you hoped for when you arrived? Perhaps a few like minded individuals beat you to it, and well... YOU will get what you paid for!!??

Not every server deserves every tip, every time. But, I know I have my share of bad days and they have theirs, and I try to give the benefit of the doubt and tip appropriately.

Bless the Disney restaurant staff that put up with all of us and usually do it with a smile. They put up with the hot, tired, frustrated masses usually with sleep deprived little ones on sugar highs. Couldn't imagine working at 50's or Whispering Canyon and doing my job as well as being entertaining, every day! 18 to 20 percent is a bargain!

 

[Roakor]

tips are one of the main reasons I don't eat out that much. I would much prefer they just included the service in the menu prices. I'm not saying I don't tip, I do. However its usually because of 15% service charge that I order less, not more. Its also more often than not why I choose to eat at home than eat out. I agree with the original poster, a flat fee would be much preferred to a % of the bill. It would encourage me to spend more when i do go out to eat and probably encourage me to go out more often. Unfortunately that is not the way its done here so I just avoid going out to eat. Which I might point out, while a flat fee may be less than a % of the bill, 0 is less than both.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Servers are usually worth the gratuity they receive and are almost always worth more the better the restaurant. I waited tables in college, made a decent income that was enough to eat, pay rent and my car payment but not a whole lot more. I was a relatively inexperienced kid (21-22) working in an upper scale restaurant that would be similar to Macaroni Grill but not.

When my wife & I first married she interview (and was later hired) at a 5 diamond restaurant locally, her interview was four hours and consisted of a 2 hour "training" and a 2 hour try-out to prove she could handle the basics. There is so much more that goes into a fine dining experience than eating at The Olive Garden and servers should be reciprocated accordingly. Fine dining establishments, and I generally consider Disney's Signature Dining as close as you get in WDW, have various levels of staff that is dedicated to supporting your dining experience from the bar tender, bus staff, line cooks, to the hosts. Most consider themselves professionals in their field, many are truly that and deserve to be treated as such.

I completely agree that the way we reciprocate service industry workers in the US is poor and leaves many in a constant state of near poverty except the very few in higher caliber locations. Servers should be paid a living wage but this would raise the prices to a point that many customers would simply not eat out or scale back a great deal but when the true cost is obscured by not including it on the menu it is a slight of hand that many don't think about when they are ordering.

For the three of us that dined at Jiko in December, our gratuity was close to $70 which is more than we would have spent all together at 50's Prime Time. IMO it was worth every penny, the service was impeccable and I was able to sit back and enjoy the experience and believe the staff should be paid/rewarded accordingly.

For what it is worth, IMO if you don't intend to tip 20% from the start you are cheap and doing the restaurant, servers and the staff a disservice. Without a consistent high level of tips servers leave and must be replaced but word gets out fast and the good ones don't apply leaving the restaurant with only average (or even below average) staff to hire from the pool.

In short, you get what you pay for. If you want truly good services, tip accordingly or over the long-run the servers will leave and the restaurant will have poor service which drives it down.

 

[jaklgreen]

As another Brit I admit that tipping 18-20% doesn't come naturally to me, in the UK it tends to be 10-15% at most so paying more seems like such a lot of money to me. But I know in the US some wages like in catering are low so I adjust my tips in line with that and always tip more than I would at home. I am just not used to tipping so much but I still do it and find service way better in the US

I have travelled to London and Poland and I do agree that service here in America(as a general rule) is way better. I would call servers not necessarily rude but indifferent. We definitely waited longer to be helped and had to flag down servers for anything we needed. The attitude always seemed like they are doing us the favor.

 

[Mawg]

I wonder if servers have grown accustom to bad tips from people of certain countries. Not that all people from certain countries would be bad tippers but on average if a server can pick out an accent and say hey, the chances that I'm going to get a bad tip from that table are much higher than this table over here and adjust service accordingly. Just wondering if this happens, seems pretty obvious that it could and probably does. Any servers out there that service international crowds care to comment?

 

[mom2of2]

I wonder if servers have grown accustom to bad tips from people of certain countries. Not that all people from certain countries would be bad tippers but on average if a server can pick out an accent and say hey, the chances that I'm going to get a bad tip from that table are much higher than this table over here and adjust service accordingly. Just wondering if this happens, seems pretty obvious that it could and probably does. Any servers out there that service international crowds care to comment?

There is nothing worse then busting your butt, trying your best to communicate and give the best service that you can only to have $5 left on a $100 check or worse yet...nothing at all. Happens this time of year...every year. It's especially a slap in the face when they purposely split up their parties so that they don't have to pay grat but still want to sit close to people they know.

Full time servers work 32 hours a week, part timers get 24 hours if that. There is 1 1/4 hours of side work and shifts are generally 6 hours long. The majority of WDW servers, especially part timers have 2nd jobs. Tip outs are generally server assistants and bartenders on food sales.

 

[loriloughs]

One thing to keep in mind, if you choose not to tip on the entire bill, is that some of the participant restaurants at WDW have heinous tip-out policies. I can name at least one where servers have to tip-out the bartenders, sommeliers, bus boys and server assistants on a percentage of sales, not a percentage of tips received. There are times where the servers make no tips, and sometimes very little pay, because of this policy.

We do tip on the entire bill. I stated that in my comment.

 

[Kit83]

The definition of tipping or gratuity is " an over payment made as recognition to those who provide service beyond expectation"

What has been made clear is that tipping in the US is not 'tipping' in its defined sense, but paying the wage of the server . I don't of course have any problem with that, I just need to view the "tip " as part of the overall bill, the fact that many still pay the tip even when the service is poor is proof . Knowing this, I would more likely take up the matter of poor service with the restaurant rather than not tipping and leaving.

For foreign visitors (like myself) If they knew it was part of the bill and not a 'tip' in its defined sense it would just be paid and they may even add a tip on top as they do in Europe. Disney, as a global company attracting thousands of foreign visitors a year should be aware that many of its visitors are unaware of the the expected tipping system, perhaps it should be made clear on menus that the tip is 'obligatory'; Servers would then always get their wage/tip and foreigners would not be labelled cheap if they do not leave the expected 20% .

To allay your fears I have always paid the normal accepted tip (it was less than 20% in 1993) and will in the future. The op was an idea asking if what I was suggesting would be considered fair, clearly not !

 

[mom2of2]

The definition of tipping or gratuity is " an over payment made as recognition to those who provide service beyond expectation"

What has been made clear is that tipping in the US is not 'tipping' in its defined sense, but paying the wage of the server . I don't of course have any problem with that, I just need to view the "tip " as part of the overall bill, the fact that many still pay the tip even when the service is poor is proof . Knowing this, I would more likely take up the matter of poor service with the restaurant rather than not tipping and leaving.

For foreign visitors (like myself) If they knew it was part of the bill and not a 'tip' in its defined sense it would just be paid and they may even add a tip on top as they do in Europe. Disney, as a global company attracting thousands of foreign visitors a year should be aware that many of its visitors are unaware of the the expected tipping system, perhaps it should be made clear on menus that the tip is 'obligatory'; Servers would then always get their wage/tip and foreigners would not be labelled cheap if they do not leave the expected 20% .

To allay your fears I have always paid the normal accepted tip (it was less than 20% in 1993) and will in the future. The op was an idea asking if what I was suggesting would be considered fair, clearly not !

There is a "tip card" that is included in the checkbook that reads "We are often asked about gratuities. No gratuity has been added to your bill. Quality service is customarily acknowledged by a gratuity of 18% to 20%. Thank You" It is written in 6 different languages. This is only presented when there is no auto grat on the check.
It's pretty clear what it's for

 

[daisyduckie]

I worked service all through college at a Denny's and have so much respect for those in the service industry. I'm not a fan of tipping less than the standard 15% but in the case of a buffet I agree with you. If I'm at a place where there servers only job is to bring me drinks and refills and take my dirty plates away then I tip less. Typically this also means that a server can have upwards to 10 or more tables because they don't have to take orders or bring food to the table.

I would agree any place else but WDW. The wait staff there still busts their rears waiting on you at buffets. They clear away plate after plate after plate, bring you drinks and other things you may request. They do more running than they would do at a non buffet meal.

 

[mom2of2]

WDW servers get a 12 seat station generally sometimes a bit more but anything over 16 seats they have to split with another server.

 

[RiceCrispyMickey]

I'm from the UK, and I always tip the customary 18-20% when we visit the USA. However I had no idea until I read this that you were supposed to tip bar staff??? Granted, i'm only in my early 20's and have never been to a bar at WDW (only ordered drinks with meals). In the UK we don't generally tip bar staff (except maybe leave loose change if theres a change jar). What is the recommended tip when you buy drinks? Is it the same 18-20%??

 

[BrianV]

I'm from the UK, and I always tip the customary 18-20% when we visit the USA. However I had no idea until I read this that you were supposed to tip bar staff??? Granted, i'm only in my early 20's and have never been to a bar at WDW (only ordered drinks with meals). In the UK we don't generally tip bar staff (except maybe leave loose change if theres a change jar). What is the recommended tip when you buy drinks? Is it the same 18-20%??

15-20% for for restaurants and bars. (15% is perfectly acceptable anywhere but, I usually tip 18-20 if they were good, 15% mediocre and very rarely less for truly bad service.)

 

[RiceCrispyMickey]

15-20% for for restaurants and bars. (15% is perfectly acceptable anywhere but, I usually tip 18-20 if they were good, 15% mediocre and very rarely less for truly bad service.)

Thank you, thats good to know for our trip in November as I plan on enjoying a lapu lapu or two!

 

[BrianV]

Thank you, thats good to know for our trip in November as I plan on enjoying a lapu lapu or two!

And To be clear, no tip required at fast food including any counter service restaurant. It is bizzare the rules here, but rest assured just as odd for us Americans in Europe.

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

I believe that a $25 tip on a $350 meal is disrespectful. If you can afford the $350...what is another 15%? Be a respectful vacationer and give the full 15-20%. If you don't want to tip on alcohol then don't order it. Buy wine and enjoy it in the room.

I agree, completely disrespectful. Wait staff deserve better. Shame on the OP for rationalizing this in any fashion, no matter what side of the pond he/she lives on.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I agree, completely disrespectful. Wait staff deserve better. Shame on the OP for rationalizing this in any fashion, no matter what side of the pond he/she lives on.

Eh, in many places on this side of the pond a $25 tip is considered generous, even for a $350 meal.

 

[Kit83]

I agree, completely disrespectful. Wait staff deserve better. Shame on the OP for rationalizing this in any fashion, no matter what side of the pond he/she lives on.

I only put the idea up as a Question by the way, it is I hope ok to pose questions ? I did put a question mark on the title !

 

[Hakunamatata]

I only put the idea up as a Question by the way, it is I hope ok to pose questions ? I did put a question mark on the title !

Yes. And you have been told it's not.

 

[Kit83]

There is a "tip card" that is included in the checkbook that reads "We are often asked about gratuities. No gratuity has been added to your bill. Quality service is customarily acknowledged by a gratuity of 18% to 20%. Thank You" It is written in 6 different languages. This is only presented when there is no auto grat on the check.
It's pretty clear what it's for

That sounds like a good idea but should it not read... acknowledged by obligatory gratuities ? As is not acceptable to not leave a tip . It would ensure foreign tourists pay the tip/wage .