2008 DDP - why tip 18% OOP ?

[gina2000]

And it's a misconception to think that most diners are on the DDP to begin with. Maybe during free dining there may be more than usual, but in off times im sure the number isnt astronomical.

I've always wondered about that number. I have to think it's not huge but large enough to pack restaurants which were formerly easy walk-ins.

Just because a vast majority of people tip better at the posters restaurants , doesn't hold any relevance to what is going to happen with the DDP at Disney.

No, it may not but it may have been relevant when deciding how much to pay waitstaff at WDW in past years. As I said in the previous post (and tlofts said so eloquently), WDW didn't just pull 18% out of their hat and decide to pay that to their waitstaff. Some research had to have gone into it. And if people who dine out on a regular basis were those who were dining at WDW TS restaurants, then the number straddles 15 and 20% which seems to be what most diners leave. NOT 15%. NOT 20%. But a fair number in between.

 

[emh1129]

Actually, I do believe that in certain areas of the country in upscale restaurants 20% is definitely the norm. I am more than willing to bet that it is here as well as in NYC. We tip 20% on the total amount including the tax. So that's more than 20%. What I also know, though, is that many parts of the country still consider 15% an outstanding tip. Adequate? Sure! Acceptable? Definitely! But it's not an outstanding tip.

Agreed. 20% (of the total) is the norm around here (CT), whether it's Friendly's for lunch or an upscale restaurant for dinner. I never thought much about it- I just learned from my parents that's what is appropriate. My friends/family also tip this way. This is what I experienced as a waitress years ago, too.
I actually didn't know that 15% was normal until I came to the Dis boards. I think it really must vary by region and probably by each person, too.

 

[bicker]

Bicker, the poster did clarify his stance to include "majority as it pertains to my clientele"

That was later, and it also took their earlier comments, which were generalizations, away from the context of anything general. Your repeating those sentiments in a generalized circumstance make no sense.

I think this idea may have merit.

I don't believe that.

 

[bicker]

So, I'm either incompetent or a liar. Nice.

Please don't put words in my mouth. I very politely indicated that I didn't believe what you wrote. Please leave it at that.

Please allow me to disagree with you without getting rude to me.

Thank you.

 

[dizfanz]

This is what it boils down to why can't the staff be paid a wage they can live on. In the uk we pay our staff enough not to go hungry if they go without tips.

But here in the US, we strive for more than just avoiding going hungry. Servers here actually like going to college, buying homes and cars, raising families and paying for their college, all while being a server

 

[gina2000]

Please don't put words in my mouth. I very politely indicated that I didn't believe what you wrote. Please leave it at that.

Please allow me to disagree with you without getting rude to me.

Thank you.

I think the conversation would go further and without animosity if you would indicate why you don't believe things to be true. What sort of references are you using to form your opinion? Why are the poster's references irrelevant or skewed? Just saying, "I don't believe that" leaves the poster (and others) feeling like the opinions are only worthy of dismissal. I realize it's not my place to criticize your postings but opinions make this sort of exchange interesting and worthy of discussion. Rejection out of hand of another's opinion without explanation is also rude.

 

[bicker]

I think the conversation would go further and without animosity if you would indicate why you don't believe things to be true.

Actually, with respect, I disagree. I believe some folks would use this reply as a launching point to quibble about minutia details that have nothing to do with the point I'm making. However, I'll let you prove me wrong about that...

http://www.drdaveanddee.com/tipping.html
AT THE RESTAURANT: ... Waiters: 15-20% of the bill, unless a gratuity is already added to the bill.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003826000_taste08.html
Bob Knudson gladly leaves a 15 percent tip when he dines out — 20 percent if service is exceptional.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php
Food server - 15-20%.

http://www.pctoday.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2007/t0502/26t02/26t02.asp&guid=
In a restaurant, tipping servers is obvious—15 to 20% of the bill

http://www.magazineusa.com/us/info/show.aspx?unit=travelinfo&doc=6
In restaurants it's usual to give 15% tip on the total amount.

http://marketplace.sfgate.com/22Z9TN
which will put you right in the ballpark of tipping 15-20%.

http://www.bremercommunications.com/Tipping.htm
In fine-dining establishments, there are a number of people to tip. Servers expect 15%-20% of the pre-tax amount of the bill.

http://www.azaz.essortment.com/tipping_rdef.htm
Server at a full-service restaurant – 15% to 20% of your total bill.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/12/basic-tips-on-tipping-how-much-and-to-whom/Waiter 15% for adequate service, 20% for exceptional service. For poor
service, leave 10% or less.

http://hotels.about.com/od/hotelsecrets/a/tipping_2.htm
Waitstaff -- 15-20% of the bill, excluding tax and expensive wine.


And keep in mind that the point isn't that any of these are a definitive source but rather that the "vast majority" of all comparative statements mention 15%, not 18%, as the bottom of the range. Also, I'm STILL and will continue to talk about the assertion with regard to the general case. No one cares about what is the case in one specific restaurant. The original poster has already acknowledged that his own personal experience does apply there. Please accept that as well.

 

[gina2000]

But that's what makes conversations interesting, Bicker! Quibbling does get stupid but at least it brings different opinions to the forefront!

And while I most certainly agree that 15% is standard in many households in many parts of the US, I do believe there is a segment of the population that tips 20% regularly. Why? Purely personal experience and witnessing other peoples' habits.

My question right now (and totally off topic) is how WDW derived 18% on a standard DDP bill. 18% is usually a mandatory cover charge for parties over 6 people. Was it to standardize the tipping procedure to prevent confusion? Was it in response to the average tip left at WDW TS restaurants? No one knows or they're not telling. But it IS an interesting topic.

As far as tipping is concerned, I don't recall anyone suggesting that 18% is the bottom of the range. Personally, I think it's midrange which is why WDW chose it. People are suggesting that 15% is fine but it's not what they leave....they leave more on a regular basis. And no one is suggesting leaving less except at buffets. I'm not in line with that either but that's also standard in most parts of the country with many, many people.

So as I quibble on and you shake your head, the debate continues.....

 

[Lewisc]

A normal tip for normal service is in the 15-20% range. I thought that was a given, even before Bicker gave us the links. I think most guests who tip 20% agree 15-20% is the normal range but either due to good service or generosity knowingly tip at the higher end of the range. I think guests budgeting should budget 18-20%. It makes sense to assume, or at least hope, for superior service.

I don't doubt the poster who said guests in his restaurant tip more then 20%.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I agree that the normal range is 15-20%. I tip 20% (or higher) if service is exceptional. If it is minimal, I tip 15%. Any other service falls somewhere in between. It's really not that difficult.

A lot has been said about the service at Disney having become subpar. I did not find this to be true on our last trip. The only time I felt our service could have been better was at Alfredo's. The waiter seemed extremely rushed. That being said, he still provided decent service. At every other restaurant we visited, we were most happy with the service. The servers were extremely helpful and attentive, often stopping to chat when they could. I saw no decline whatsoever. :::shrug::: Maybe we got lucky.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I will say the majority of people tip, there are the few that don't tip and then there are people that don't tip at least 15%. The rest usually tip at least 15-20% of the bill. Then you have the VERY good tippers who tip anywhere from 25-100% of the bill but those are the very few and you don't see them often..Lets just say we servers remember those very few good tippers, and we remember the bad tippers.. But then the customers remember the bad servers and request they not have them.