topic Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping in Community Chat

Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

luvdoodles — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:48:21 GMT

We are throwing a baby shower for my daughter in about 2 weeks. We rented the room and it is for a brunch. The guests will go and select what they want from the buffet including coffee and juice. Any alcoholic drink will be served by waitstaff. Should we tip 20% like we usually do when eatting out. I don't want to sound cheap, but not sure what to do in this situation. They will probably clear the brunch dishes and replace clean ones for dessert. I think I already answered my own question now that I think about it. Opinions welcomed.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Lila Belle — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:52:13 GMT

Usually the gratuity for the meal is included in the contract. Drinks would in this case be a separate tab.

Have fun !

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

PinkyPetunia — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:52:34 GMT

That sounds about right--20% depending on how attentive the servers are.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Mj12 — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:59:47 GMT

@Lila Belle wrote:
Usually the gratuity for the meal is included in the contract. Drinks would in this case be a separate tab.

Have fun !

I was just going to post that. Usually with large groups or private dining, the gratuity is automatically added.

Congratulations OP and have a great time!

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

CelticCrafter — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:02:06 GMT

It's usually automatically added to the price of your contract.

If you feel the servers went above and beyond you could leave something extra for them to split amongst themselves

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Mominohio — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:13:50 GMT

I'd definitely contact the establishment and see if the tip has been included in your pricing. Many places do, but it would be terrible if you just assumed, and it wasn't.

Even if it is included, and you think the service was excellent, I'd have no problem adding extra.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Sooner — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:18:20 GMT

The tip WILL be included on anything that is paid for by the people paying for it when the food is ordered in advance or there is a large party and one person is getting the check. If you are paying for drinks or anything extra, tip on that amount. But when you book a food event, tip is included in the amount. ALWAYS.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

sidsmom — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:21:09 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
I'd definitely contact the establishment and see if the tip has been included in your pricing. Many places do, but it would be terrible if you just assumed, and it wasn't.

Even if it is included, and you think the service was excellent, I'd have no problem adding extra.

ITA.

Did you sign a contract for your event?

Most large parties, like you described, will have a flat 20% added to the final total to cover tips, etc.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

sunshine45 — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:47:29 GMT

mominohio wrote:
I'd definitely contact the establishment and see if the tip has been included in your pricing. Many places do, but it would be terrible if you just assumed, and it wasn't.

Even if it is included, and you think the service was excellent, I'd have no problem adding extra.

i agree.....it is best not to assume.

during the summer i had a graduation party for my son and the tip was NOT included on our bill and i did not have to sign any contract.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Laura14 — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:26:02 GMT

Just a side note on the tipping with a contract. I work in hospitality and our "gratuity" (aka service charge in the contract) goes to defray our labor costs since banquet servers are paid at a higher rate than regular servers in the restaurant. It does not go to the staff at all. Their higher hourly wage is their "tip".

Our banquet staff is normally not tipped out by most of our customers since they do 'come with the event' and event payments are normally due in full before it even happens. If you do want to leave an extra something for above and beyond service, it's not unheard of to give the F&B Director or event person an envelope of cash collected or most people just ask us to charge the credit card on file for an amount to be shared among the staff.

The only exception is bartenders especially if you have an open bar since your guests usually do look to tip them. Some customers are okay with a tip jar on site. Others want nothing to do with it and compensate those staff members behind the scenes usually with a $100 bartender fee included in their contract.

Obviously if you are just a large party in a restaurant eating off of the standard menu or buffet with nothing made special just for you, then you are in the normal tip club which is about 20% for large parties and probably will be automatically added to the bill when you get it at the time of service.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

millieshops — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:08:55 GMT

@Laura14Thanks for this info. I'm about to start planning for a party - something I haven't done for years and years. I like knowing the possibilities before I start!

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Laura14 — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:20:43 GMT

@millieshops A good event person will walk you through everything you need to know but that's the basics when it comes to appreciating those who will work your event. Normally, the company has them covered for you and if you want to give a little something you can but it's certainly not expected when you're already paying literally for everything else. Good Luck with your party!

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:50:38 GMT

My sister and I hosted a bridal shower and had it in a private room and we had to use the chef from that venue. The tip was included.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

Chrystaltree2 — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:24:56 GMT

You must have a contract with the caterer. So, the gratuities are stipulated in the contract. They always are. With the exception of the bartender, that's separate. Guests either tip at the bar when they order their drinks or you can add the tip when the bar bill is tallied.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

luvdoodles — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 11:50:44 GMT

Thank you all for your replies. We did not have to sign a contract but paid up front in full for the room. No open bar. We will just make sure to have extra money if it is not already included in the package. Can't wait, it's going to be fun.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

hennypenny — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:17:48 GMT

luvdoodles, I would just give them a call. Easier to know up front.

ps. I love doodles too, and am looking for one!

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

luvdoodles — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 11:34:57 GMT

I am going to call on Friday to find out. Our doodle is awesome. His mother had a litter late this Spring but they were all sold. We have a friend looking for one too. She won't be having another litter till next Fall. Where do live. This breeder is in Taunton, MA. Happy Thanksgiving.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

hennypenny — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 20:49:21 GMT

Hi doodles, We are in Santa Barbara Ca. There are breeders up north of here a few hours. But you have to reserve sight unseen and that makes me nervous.

I have always gone to see a ltter and then been able to get a feel for the puppies and how I bond with certain ones.

Several people here in town have gone east to get theirs. Is yours a large one or smaller. We are thinking maybe one that is on the small side would be better for us. We have a lot of land and gardens for doggies to romp, but live on a steep hill. Walking big dogs is no longer an option with our creeky old bones.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

luvdoodles — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 11:09:46 GMT

Bentley is a larger dog. That picture I posted was when he was just a few months old. He is not even 2 yet and weighs 85 lbs. He is a big boy but a big teddy bear. We have a large fenced in back yard and has plenty of room to run around. I will try to post more pics but for some reason it's not working right now. Another bonus is that golden doodles don't shed. I hope you find the perfect doodle for you. Let me know ok.

BTW I would never reserve a pup sight unseen. You need see how he/she reacts with you. I would not go that route.

Re: Upcoming Baby Shower Question on Tipping

hennypenny — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 04:31:01 GMT

We have had many breeds over the years. When we had our huskies I all of a sudden developed a severe allergy. So the huskies went from sleeping in our bed to next to it, to in the next room, to the patio. They lived to ripe old age and then we then got Bichons. Our last one died three years ago. she was 18.

I go crazy for the big doodles, but have to be somewhat realistic. Maybe small to midsize. We have put looking on hold until after the holidays. It takes focus and trying to do all the seasonal stuff takes too much time and attention.

My apologies to the OP. I didn't mean to hijack. I am curious, let me know what you find out on monday.