L' Auberge Gourmande is another restaurant that I will add to my list to avoid as I feel their statement is deliberately made to cause confusion among North Americans and entice them to tip 15% more. I understand service to be the cost of the wait staff which is included in France. Unlike France, servers in the US are usually paid less than minimum wage and receive little to no benefits. They depend on American style tips for their wages.

For the restaurants that add the service/gratuity statements to their menus, do you think European guests dining there tip 15% because of the statement? Do you think that restaurant's prices are 15% lower than their peers for similar items to account for them not adding the service charge?