Should You Tip at Buffets and by How Much?

zine21 on 30/10/2019 - 13:18
Last edited 30/10/2019 - 13:35 by 1 other user

So, to tip or not to tip? That is the question.

We don't seem to have a big tipping culture in Australia as far as I'm aware but Id like to see what everyone elses opinion on the matter is?.

I know in small towns where service was amazing and we wanted to tip, they wouldn't accept it and asked us to just order extra drinks if we wanted to tip.

Yet recently we visited a nice hotel for their dinner buffet and experienced something quite odd. Cost was around $90+/per person without drinks. Overall we didn't think it was worth that amount as variety was quite small and some of the dishes just didn't have any flavour. The things that did taste half decent, they would serve really small portions of - even if you asked for larger serving, they'd slice that already small thing into three and give you tiny piece as the extra.

Waitress was also hit and miss in the service he provided.

Anyway to cut a long story short when we paid at end he asked for a tip with the EFTPOS machine which hasn't happened before and we tipped 15 bucks for the 3 of us. He gave us dirty and disapproving looks at that- clearly displeased.

I would have thought the expensive price of a buffet should include everything. I mean outside of water (which we would have just rather done ourselves as it took so long) they're not serving you anything. You go to the food stations and get your own food.

Whats the etiquette on this in Australia? The guy was European so maybe things are different from his view, I'm not sure but they sure know how to make you feel guilty.

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • FirstWizard on 30/10/2019 - 13:59
    +22

    I used to live in the US before and it's quite bad what the tipping culture has done to the workers there. Some do benefit, but it's not everyone.

    I don't really want it to happen here in Australia, so as a principle I never tip anywhere in Aus, not even at fancy places.

  • pegaxs on 30/10/2019 - 14:00
    +3

    No and $0

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 14:03
    +13

    We have minimum wages in Australia for a reason.

    And most retailers aren't providing that high a level of service where it warrants paying over and above the menu price.

    From a business owner's point of view, if they are dependent on gratuities then they should seriously reconsider the financial viability of their self-employment.

  • Hithere on 30/10/2019 - 14:05
    +5

    Tipping is required in America due to the low pay the staff receive. It encourages them to provide a higher standard of service (in theory).

    It doesn't apply in Australia.

    I had a waitress at one local restaurant drop not so subtle hints by telling me how much the previous diner had tipped her.

    She got nothing, service and food was terrible anyway.

  • Serathis on 30/10/2019 - 14:05
    +4

    I would have given him nothing for tip and probably a complaint for his rude behavior!

  • spackbace on 30/10/2019 - 14:10
    +4

    About the main time I've seen any tipping happen was in bars, purely so that the same bartender notices you the next time around and will serve you over someone else

    Anything else, meh. And I've worked hospitality before. Who knows who the tip is actually going to?! That guy asking a $15 tip, who gets that? The chefs who made you awesome food? The wait staff who cleared the table quickly and got drinks to you quickly? Or the main greeter who just took your money? Not to mention, by the time that $15 is split between the staff it should go to, they'd get about $0.50 each given the staff levels of high end buffets.

    Just not worth it.

  • Kozhutki on 30/10/2019 - 14:14
    +7

    never tip, never will :)

    • Antikythera on 01/11/2019 - 11:18
      +1

      i'll tip when i'm with a large group of friends.
      1 - because we were that large rowdy group
      2 - because that guy who took eveyones money and paid with his credit card just used everyone elses tip as a discount for himself.
      3 - because i've worked in the industry and appreciate decent service.
      4 - because I carry cash when most dont anymore.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 14:21
    +1

    In Australia tipping is never required. If you have the spare cash and get exceptional service it's not unusual. If you're at all dissatisfied with the service you should definitely not tip. If you're going somewhere regularly it's also a good way to always get good service, I've had a few places I used to frequent that were very hard to get a table at but the wait staff always seemed to be able to find me one.

    The sort of 'tipping even for shit service' culture in the US shouldn't ever encroach here, but sometimes we get really crap service here because no one expects to be tipped for exceptional service.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 14:32
    +23

    The award in US restaurants is $2.13 per hour and they live on scraps and change.
    Encouraging that sort of bullshit in Australia is just wrong. Don't tip.

    If someone does a great job, tell their boss.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 16:52
      +1

      Tipping is such a big deal in the US because of the low wages, the wages aren't low because of the tipping. Wages will get as low as they legally can everywhere, regardless of tipping.

      • R-Man on 01/11/2019 - 00:27

        you've posted this a few times now without any further detail. many people including me would say the opposite

        the wages aren't low because of the tipping

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2019 - 01:39

          What sort of detail do you need? Tipping in the US is still a thing in states with high minimum wages, it's only the federal minimum that's $5 an hour less for tipped workers.

          Here we don't have lower minimum wages in any states because of tipping. It's not likely to get introduced because one person tips that one time, no one should feel obligated to tip, and I don't care if people don't tip, but it's a major crutch to try and claim that we'll all of a sudden drop a minimum wage because someone tips. Meanwhile penalty rates etc vanish with barely a whimper.

    • nignucial on 31/10/2019 - 13:34
      -2

      They're doing it wrong if they decide to live on minimum wage and tips…

    • boomramada on 30/10/2019 - 15:12
      +1

      Read @mullsie comment.

    • Eeples on 01/11/2019 - 00:20

      It is never a good idea to upset food servers, tattoo artists or dentists.

      In the USA upsetting a food server might mean he spits on your food on your next visit.

      • R-Man on 01/11/2019 - 00:28

        Nice! Unique joke comrade, great humour, very cool.

  • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 14:43
    -1

    Some really strong views expressed in this discussion.

    Out of interest, for those that never tip, do your similarly never give to buskers? Do you ever donate to charities / causes?

    This is just out of interest, as people are entitled to pick and choose what they do with their money, and some just have a blanket 'rule' of not giving. I was wondering if tipping is aligned with those choices?

    • zine21 on 30/10/2019 - 14:55
      +15

      Charity and tipping are two very different things. In restaurants especially high end ones the workers are already on an income. The invoice should include everything- you pay a large premium at a 5 star hotel for example to experience that 5 star service- it seems unreasonable to expect a further large tip ontop of that large cost. I do donate to charity and my family is less off while I have a decent income so I usually treat them out and pay for things when Im with them regularly so its not about being stingy but just the principle of the matter.

      Ow just to edit- I dont mind tipping when the service and food was great but Im not a fan of large tips

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 15:16
      +14

      People who work in hospitality are employees not charity cases.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2019 - 01:40
        -1

        Shit, I work in an office job and I still get bonuses for a job well done!

        • quaddie on 01/11/2019 - 21:40
          -1

          I also work on a wage cage and don’t get any bonus so if you speak with me and I help you out can I send you my payid details and expect a transfer?

          • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 07:32
            -1

            @quaddie: No one should expect a tip, in any industry. That doesn’t mean giving one will cause the world to end, if you feel it was deserved

    • mskeggs on 30/10/2019 - 15:20
      +4

      It is rare for me to tip, though I do usually round up cab fares.
      I routinely give to buskers, rarely/never to beggars, and support several charities with monthly giving and always contribute to colleagues/friends charity causes.
      I don't think there is any correlation.

      • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 15:22

        Thanks for a balanced response.

    • Presence on 30/10/2019 - 15:23
      +2

      Would you tip retail workers, childcare workers, aged care, healthcare, etc? Many would be paid similar to hospitality.

      • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 15:27
        +2

        Those workers may well be paid less that hospitality workers in some cases.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 16:57
        +1

        People that you have a regular service relationship like childcare workers, aged care etc are the sort you might even buy a Christmas present for. A lot of retail workers are on commissions so they're kind of getting a 'tip' anyway.

        In any case in Australia you shouldn't tip for someone just doing their bare minimum job. Your 2 minute interaction with a retail worker isn't worth a tip. But wait staff that go above and beyond can be worth compensating if only because it does encourage good service.

        • quaddie on 01/11/2019 - 21:43
          +1

          Bring menu
          Take order
          Bring food
          No more difficult than a retail worker bringing some stock from out the back, even easier In the case the retail worker had to do some heavy lifting.

          • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 07:30

            @quaddie: If that’s all they did don’t tip.

  • nfr on 30/10/2019 - 15:11
    +9

    This is Australia, I resent being asked to tip.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 16:58
      +1

      Absolutely! Being asked to tip shouldn't be a thing.

    • kyoba on 31/10/2019 - 08:02

      dont forget about establishments that, instead of giving you an exact change for a ten dollar note, they will happily give you a 5+2+1+1+0.5+0.5 change AND put it on a slippery-ass-mother-f-er tray where it's a pain to pick up the coins.

      ps: I pick up every cent. even the 5cents ;)

  • grog on 30/10/2019 - 15:17
    +4

    We are fair dinkum aussies and we do not import strange practices that may occur north of the mexican border.

    We will not be influenced by whoever lives north of the mexican border.

    We make our own customs and always will.

    • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 15:28
      -3

      Tipping is a common practice in a lot of other countries apart from the USA.

      • orangetrain on 30/10/2019 - 16:55
        +3

        Where is it common to tip? Are you expected to tip there or it's optional?

        • GG57 on 31/10/2019 - 09:03

          Almost all of Europe, it is very common to leave a tip.
          Even for something like just a coffee.

          And not just in cafes, bar and restaurants. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, etc.; anywhere you are happy with the service that someone has provided to you.

          It isn't mandatory there. It isn't mandatory here either.
          But having consideration for someone who is providing you with good and friendly service to you on a Saturday night while you are out having a meal and drinks with your friends, leaving a tip to show your appreciation is an accepted practice.

    • BartholemewH on 30/10/2019 - 23:04
      +2

      Except halloween. Blah.

    • gimme on 31/10/2019 - 08:10
      +2

      Except for we pretty much import every practice good and bad from the US. We're just 20 years behind. Fair dinkum lol

  • Cluster on 30/10/2019 - 15:31
    +5

    Tipping at a buffet. Now that's just weird. Just one step above tipping a McDonald's cook.

    • GG57 on 30/10/2019 - 15:33
      +3

      $90/head for a buffet; that is weird.

      • smartazz104 on 31/10/2019 - 07:31

        It's probably a bit better than your ordinary buffet with hot chips and pizza.

  • Ocker on 30/10/2019 - 15:52
    +1

    Given you have served yourself then you deserve any tip

  • raptormesh on 30/10/2019 - 16:01
    +3

    What hotel is this? A waiter giving dirty looks for not tipping at buffet? What in the world.

    • kyoba on 31/10/2019 - 08:06
      +1

      maybe he just has a bad case of resting bitch face, poor fellow

  • drspy00 on 30/10/2019 - 16:29
    +2

    Do you tip your doctor if he has done a good job? Or the doctors receptionist if you liked her tone of voice?

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 16:59
      +1

      Believe it or not plenty of people get their doctor a Christmas present or bring other gifts. :o society huh?

      • orangetrain on 30/10/2019 - 17:31
        +13

        Try tipping a police officer for giving you a warning instead of a ticket and let us know how that turns out for you.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 17:36
          +3

          If you want to give a tip to the police you should probably call Crime Stoppers!

    • smartazz104 on 31/10/2019 - 07:31

      "I didn't die this week, good job."

    • nignucial on 31/10/2019 - 13:37

      Maybe the waiter tips his mum for doing laundry too .

    • Cluster on 31/10/2019 - 16:30
      +1

      During the 1980s and earlier in the Eastern Bloc countries under Soviet occupation it was common to give the doctors and nurses treating your loved one half a kilo of coffee to receive better treatment and medicine. Some countries still have a culture of bribing doctors otherwise the bare minimum will be done.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 30/10/2019 - 17:10
    +4

    Save your money dont tip this is Australia

    I would say the only time you probably SHOULD tip if the service provider does you a favor example -

    Patron "Hi, we want to grab a quick bit and i know you are busy but do you think we could get food quick we are catching a movie in less then an hour"

    Waiter "i can organise that for you"

    (10mins later - food it out)

    Waiter "Here you go"

    Patron "Thanks"

    (25min later - Patron finishes food and is leaving)

    Patron "thanks you really help us out here in 20$"

    Waiter (thinking to himself that was Nice)

    Patron (thinking to himself that was nice)

    Unless a situation where you kind of put the service under extra pressure arrives i pretty much never Tip however if i need a favor and they come though for me like the above scenario i would drop few $$ to say thanks - this is the situation i usually found myself when i waited tables in the uni days now i pay it forward….

    Note the above example is a real example i had when i worked as a waiter almost 7 years ago - so now i pay it forward

    • wittyusername on 30/10/2019 - 17:26

      Did you split the tip with the chefs, cooks, dishwashers etc?

      • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 17:43
        +1

        Tipping is for exceptional service, if the waiter asked the chefs etc to expedite the meal and they did, it would be up to them to share it (or risk not getting the favour that led to the tip next time). The dishwasher did squat 'extra'. Where possible I'd give the tip in cash to the person who had the interaction, up to them or their companies policy to split it.

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 30/10/2019 - 18:15
        +2

        I did with the Chef - waiters used to wash the dishes at this place

  • MeesusEff on 30/10/2019 - 17:20
    +4

    Dined in Rockpool once for husbands bday, bill came to around $300. Waiter processed the bill at the table, handed me the machine and 'oh if you'd like to tip 15%'… lol imagine if he got $20-50 for each table he would earn more than me on tips alone.

    • OneMoreTune on 30/10/2019 - 17:23
      +6

      What a joke ay.
      The only tip I'd give Rockpool is that their food is terrible for the price.

      • MeesusEff on 30/10/2019 - 17:29
        +3

        Yeah, husband went with the $90 steak. Looked pretty sad that there was just a steak in the middle of a huge plate. It was just ok, even had gristle…but tbh he can cook the same/better with the Anova. Wont be returning.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 17:38
      +3

      Don't be too hard on them, they probably weren't getting paid properly :p

      https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/rockpool-records-d…

    • chumlee on 31/10/2019 - 20:27

      If he got $20 per table he would make the average wage considering rockpool don't pay staff

  • jason101 on 30/10/2019 - 17:28
    +3

    You are on Ozbargain, asking Ozbargainers if you should tip at a $90 per head buffet (after admitting you provided a $15 tip) ?

    Even if there was a right answer to this question, you'll never find it here.

    • KSMLJ on 30/10/2019 - 17:44
      +7

      The right answer is "No'.

  • jno on 30/10/2019 - 17:37
    +2

    Lol try tipping in Japan and let us know

  • Repi on 30/10/2019 - 17:39

    Oysters,Lobster,Caviar and champagne buffet?

  • JungliChilli on 30/10/2019 - 17:47
    +1

    Zero

  • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 17:58

    Buzzfeed: $7 buffet vs $97 buffet Please tell me yours included all you can drink champagne too.

  • matt_will_fix_it on 30/10/2019 - 18:01
    +7

    Waitress was also hit and miss in the service he provided

    Was it a he or a she?

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 18:06
      +3

      It's 2019. Get on with the program :p

    • JIMB0 on 30/10/2019 - 18:33

      Cross dressing waiter perhaps.

    • DeafMutePretender on 30/10/2019 - 20:09

      Excuse me, it's ma'am. It is ma'am.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb6OpRfyLFo

      • bmerigan on 30/10/2019 - 21:34

        Yeah I've seen that and felt really guilty about wanting to say 'sir' just to stir sht up.

  • padman on 30/10/2019 - 18:06
    +9

    The rabbi took my tip when I was born

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 18:17

      How do you feel about it?

    • Baa on 30/10/2019 - 20:00

      Hopefully just the 15%

    • quaddie on 01/11/2019 - 21:47

      Those pedofiles also put the base in the mouth I feel very sorry for you

  • Hithere on 30/10/2019 - 18:26

    Probably off-end-dead?

  • WaterMark on 30/10/2019 - 20:26

    I would only tip if it was for a special occasion and only if they made it special (i.e. complimentary birthday cakes, wine etc). Even then, I would usually round it off to the nearest tens (such as $141 -> $150 (or even up to $15 for exceptional service $135 - $150). If it was like a Scoopon/Groupon deal then I would tip 10% of the value but no more than $20.

    I remember the lovely staff at the Langham Sydney whom I asked them to help me propose to my now wife. They happily organised something special. I tipped them $50 for the service at the end, but that was paid for with my Scoopon deal! So pretty much a full price meal but extra service.

    Sounds like the service of your buffet was sub-par. I would not have tipped them especially since it is a buffet (fine place or not). The staff sound arrogant as you described when they gave you a dirty look. I would of asked to get the EFTPOS transaction reversed and not give a tip. If it requires a manager then that’s a bonus as that will teach them proper service.

  • tensionday on 30/10/2019 - 20:31

    Even if we can tip, why does it only ever seem to be at expensive restaurants asking for it.
    Do cheaper restaurants pay their staff better?

  • mrvaluepack on 30/10/2019 - 21:20

    Was this the langham hotel? Thats the only place i know with $90 buffets.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/10/2019 - 21:58

      Off the top of my head : No 35 , Sofitel is about $90 ( after discounts). Collins kitchen and vue du monde are more expense.

      • nignucial on 31/10/2019 - 13:42

        Collins kitchen is on Groupon forever at about $60 though

        • [Deactivated] on 31/10/2019 - 13:53
          +1

          Do you mean Little Collins Street Kitchen (LCSK) which is more rustic / homestyle cooking and part of Sheraton Hotel? I was referring to Collins Kitchen, which is more of a fine dining experience and their buffet includes free-flowing champagne. They are part of Grand Hyatt.

          Could you link, please if it is the 2nd one? :)

      • diazepam on 02/11/2019 - 03:36

        Does Vue do buffet now?

        • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 13:35

          They have degustations, which I've always thought of as a fancier version of the buffet.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 23:57

        *more expensive.

  • Jugganautx on 30/10/2019 - 21:37
    -6

    Everyone that disagrees need to watch this… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

    Words of the wise.

    • EnALup on 30/10/2019 - 21:56
      +6

      Valid for Aus? People in hospitality get way less salary in US compared to Aus which has minimum wage standards.
      If US people tip does not mean we should do too…

      • L4mby on 30/10/2019 - 22:34

        I agree Gaggy. We are not the USA, we have minimum wage laws. If we start acting like the US then that could also give the politicians an excuse to abolish minimum wage laws which would hurt the workers, and then we will have to start tipping. If you really like the way a waiter/waitress has been towards you then maybe you should let the manager (or person in charge know). Not only will it reflect well on the waiter/waitress but the management will be pleased. My wife will always go and let those in charge know when someone on a checkout has done a really good job at the supermarket.

    • nignucial on 31/10/2019 - 13:44

      It's always easier to ask for money from strangers than from the boss - they're just preying on the next suckers!

  • kevsta on 30/10/2019 - 22:06
    +2

    Hold on a second, don't you pay at the entrance at buffets ?

    • zine21 on 31/10/2019 - 11:37

      not at the high end ones.

  • DBBROS on 30/10/2019 - 22:52
    +3

    Please don't

  • Bills22 on 30/10/2019 - 23:30

    If the staff looks after his section where your table is, are attentive and clear the tables for you before you sit back down with a new plate - that's worth a mark. Another if they are great and follow up with beverage re-orders and water top ups etc. Mind you, I only ever visit the hotel restaurant buffets and even they fail my minimum expectations. In addition, I use to work in hotels myself. Shame.

    • smartazz104 on 31/10/2019 - 07:35
      +4

      If the staff looks after his section where your table is, are attentive and clear the tables for you before you sit back down with a new plate - that's worth a mark.

      Isn't this the minimum service expected from wait staff?

      • geoffs87 on 31/10/2019 - 10:54

        Yeah, i would expect to be paying less for the food/drinks if i'm tipping the wait staff for doing, umm… waiting?

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