GaKaye said:
While I'm sure you intended your answer to be helpful, it further muddies the issue, in my opinion.
Here's the way I understand, and handle, the service issue:
On the French side, the service is included in the menu price. Therefore, if the item is $20, you will be charged $20 for that item, and there will not be an additional charge added to the bill for service. Period. If the service was exceptional, then it's appropriate to leave a few dollars in cash. The only exception is if the MENU, not the bill, states that service is not included. In that case, it's up to you to leave what you feel is appropriate for the service.
On the Dutch side, the service is not included in the menu price, however, you will still be charged only $20 for a $20 item. The difference is that many Dutch side restaurants are now adding 15% service charge to the bill. This shows up as an additional item and it's easy to see. Again, you can add more if you feel the service warranted it.
Very well explained, Georgia, and this matches my understanding as well.
I've always been told the service (what we would normally think of as the tip or gratuity and is the French equivalent of same...) is actually built into the line item menu prices on the French side unless the restaurant says otherwise (service non-compris) on the menu. Right or wrong, this is what I was told by a French restaurant owner on the Dutch side of the island.
On the Dutch side, if there's a percentage charge added to the bill, it's a tip regardless of what the staff may say.
Best suggestion - don't ask the question in the first place and it took us a while to learn this.
And on either side, if you feel your service was exceptional you are always free to reward an individual staff member accordingly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
