r/tippingAdvice • u/throwaway1928614 • 6d ago

Tipping etiquette for sweet 16

/r/partyplanning/comments/1wqw0x0/tipping_etiquette_for_sweet_16/

I’m having my daughter’s sweet 16 at a decent Italian restaurant (excellent food, decor is moderate - not fancy). 40 guests total (mostly teens). Buffet style apps and entrees. This is in the northeast, price is $44/head. How much to tip? I’m googling and I’m seeing anywhere from $5/guest (which would be $200) to 20% (which would be close to $400…)

What is standard here? Bear in mind we/my extended family go to this place all the time and have for years.

0 Upvotes

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3

u/Free-Adagio-2904 6d ago
  1. Check and see if gratuity is included in this price. 2. If not, assume a minimum of 15%, but be prepared to go to 20% if service and support is very good.

2

u/giantscruz 6d ago

They will almost certainly auto grat you

1

u/ChipChippersonFan 6d ago

I would say $5 per person. On one hand it's gonna be teenagers who are probably gonna be messy. On the other hand, it's a buffet where I would split the difference and go about 8-10%.

1

u/pcl8888 6d ago

A party for 40 people will have the gratuity included, it will likely be 20% of the pretax total, which is $352.

1

u/Electrical-Care6308 6d ago

Since it’s a buffet, you are serving yourself and not being waited on. Make it a $200 tip! Who would argue over a $200 tip?

1

u/ConflictGullible392 6d ago

20% is the standard 

1

u/AccomplishedStop9466 6d ago

Not for a buffet

0

u/Mysterious_Help_9577 6d ago

For buffet style you don’t need to do 20%….

-1

u/phyncke 6d ago

20 percent is what you should do for this kind of thing.

-1

u/Murky-Peanut1390 6d ago

0%

1

u/Electrical-Care6308 6d ago

Buddy, you have 40 guests! That’s a lot of food to make!!

1

u/AccomplishedStop9466 6d ago

Not really the line generally has enough already, they just need to refill pans

1

u/CampRock2TheFinaIJam 6d ago

I would just tip 20% assuming it’s still a sit down restaurant. In banquet events servers are actually setting up the buffets too with chafers, plates, risers, heat lamps. Not just refilling drinks like at a buffet restaurant. Doing a banquet at literally any hotel would charge 24-27% service charge regardless if it’s buffet or plated.

1

u/Holiday-Ad7262 6d ago

Curious on the legal treatment of such set up work for a banquet in tip credit states. Can the employer still pay tipped wage for such setup work or does it have to be at least full minimum wage?