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Buffet Tipping Drama: Are We Over It?

A couple sparked a major online debate after tipping just $2 at a hotel breakfast buffet, saying they’re done with ‘tipping culture’ for self-serve meals. Their post blew up, with people arguing over whether servers deserve a full tip if you’re grabbing your own food. Some say tipping’s gotten out of control, especially when you’re basically doing all the work yourself. Where do you draw the line between fair and stingy? #Food #TippingCulture #BuffetDrama

2025-12-07

Sandi Cataula

Tipping should be done away with and salary paid.

12-07

Columbus, GA

Sharon Sandberg

No tip at all buffet.

12-07

League City, TX

Reply(2)

raven

I don’t eat at restaurants, I work at one before I retire food dropped on the floor like chicken and other meats not washing hands eating out the food they are serving, don’t was there hands after going to the toilet so many nasty thing goes on in restaurants bon appétit

12-07

Rueter, MO

Reply(2)

Beat

I wouldn’t tip at a buffet. It’s self serve. Tipping is antiquated and should be done away with. There are some places that don’t allow tipping, we were chased out the door at a restaurant in NYC several years ago, to give my husband the $5 tip he’d left. He tried to tell the owner to give it to the waitress, but the owner kept saying, “No tip, no tip” We had good food and service. I don’t remember the name of the restaurant, I think it was in Manhattan.

12-07

Doylestown, PA

Boston_Pilot

I agree. Gratuity for what exactly? You serve yourself, you’re grateful for your ability to do that. Or should be. I no longer tip if I’m picking it up, pizza, Chinese, etc…..I’m just not. Oh, and those cutesie little credit card fees. Not paying them anymore either. It’s YOUR cost of business, not mine. Are you going to reimburse me for the gas I used to pick it up?

12-10

Whiting, NJ

leibe

Generally I don’t leave a tip on the credit card receipt. I leave cash on the table and let the server know that it is not a tip but a gift! With taxes on tips being done away with, that is no longer necessary.

12-09

Reply(1)

edward nekvapil

A buffet is self serve for the most part. I had them state i could not serve myself certain items that i served myself at 3pm and it was 330pm same exact food. I do tip 20% but i agree its out of control. Some of us work professions where we give great service for free well past our salaried hours therefore tipped people make more despite salaried employees in some cases

12-07

Middletown, NY

Lori Bushman

Servers still take your plates and ask if you need anything - a smaller tip tho

12-07

Draper, UT

Reply(1)

Mary Daleo Hayes

That’s terrible. WHAT A CHEAP JERK.

12-07

South Lyon, MI

Lena Luna

When there is no waitstaff I don’t believe in tipping. The restaurants should pay a living wage to their employees…especially in self-serve places. No one tips behind the scene people in other industries. The restaurants are used to cheap labor, but with the high cost of even fast food today I avoid eating out.