> > It's the selection. Seniors like to have a little bit o' this, a little bit o' that. They can go to a buffet, pay for one meal, and try some of everything. And then leave most of what they take on their plate for the busboy to clean up when they're done and they walk out leaving no tip.
> >
> Why would anyone leave a tip at a buffet? I didn't have a waiter come over and serve me food or a drink. There'd be no actual service from the wait staff after I picked up my tray and drink cup at the cashier.
>
The wait staff at a buffet do more work than at a regular sit down restaurant. You go through more plates for the same price, and the food on your dessert plate is included in the price of your meal. The wait staff always have to be alert to quickly clear away your plate when you get up, so you can have somewhere to put the new plate you come back with.

And they always have to keep your water glass full, so I generally tip a higher percentage when I don't pay for a drink to account for the higher labour/price ratio. This goes for buffets and sit-down meals alike.

Also, people tend to spend more time at a buffet (I'm assuming), so the poor people who work harder waiting on you get fewer tipping customers per table per hour.

^v^:)^v^
F"but why do you have to tip when you order a drink at a bar, if they don't even bring it to you?"B