as far as buffets go--i was JUST talking to my niece who has been working at Sweet Tomatoes for the last 1.5 months--if she works the register she gets 9.xx an hour--if she works the floor she gets 8.xx and hour--BUT on a weekend or even busy week night can bring home an extra $125.00 !!--she is getting paid minimum AND making some good money on tips
until recently I didnt tip at places like buffets ( old country buffet) where all they did was clear my plates. I do all the work. No different then McD's ( I cleared and cleaned LOTS of tables at McD's in my 3 years working there and got ZERO tips --so I struggle with that )
BUT I also just found out ( I am out of the loop I guess) that I should tip my waitress at a banquet--wedding/funeral luncheon etc.. I kinda sort feel bad
I basically always tip around 20 percent --I just double the total ( minus tax) --I round up or down to a whole $ amount --tipping at starbucks or an ice cream place --nah --unless it says "college kids" or something similar
I can't speak to buffet tipping as I've never worked at one and I don't eat at buffets.
But I did work in banquets for awhile, and I know others who have. I think a good rule of thumb for this situation is, if you're not the person paying the bill, you shouldn't be concerned with paying any gratuity. This is because all banquet halls charge and pay differently; most charge gratuity in the final total; some disburse it to the staff as cash that night and some just pay a decent wage to begin with. Either way, if you're someone's guest (i.e., someone else is footing the bill), it's not your concern. Well, it shouldn't be... I did get tipped several times as a banquet server and it was always unexpected; where I worked we were told to refuse tips. Then again, it was also a surprise the number of customers who would touch my arm while I was pouring hot coffee, put their arm around my waist while they were seated and I was standing next to them (again, holding a pot of hot coffee), call me dear/honey/sweetheart, and the leers from crusty old men.
That's for waitstaff though. For some reason I still tip a bartender even when someone else is paying. If there is an open bar, I tell them how I like my martinis and give a generous tip early on... :drink:
Also, tipping should be figured on the price of food and drinks ordered, so figure a tip on the amount before tax is added, and before coupons are subtracted :dance: