Thank you for a concise explanation of the SXM tipping issue. This topic has appeared on ttol almost as often as the "my car rental is better than your car rental" thread.
I think that all of us gain when we know the rules that apply and can appropriately reward good food and service. I have long had a problem with the automatically added 15% that assumes everything was fine. No rebate when the food was cold and or the service was lacking without the embarrassment of involving management.