Forums39
Topics38,662
Posts312,552
Members26,569
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
30 registered members (JosephB, MikeBiondo, davidandsusannj, SXMNAN, lbksxm, GeorgeC1, MrEZgoin, Kevin_B, NeilCanada, JenniferSC, CaribbeanCanadians, CDavis2, SteveH, Fletch, dolfer, dj1094, lhbsurf, wct49, markis, NumberCruncher, Bernd, marisol, marybeth, 7 invisible),
1,125
guests, and 122
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: edhouk]
#124255
03/15/2017 01:34 PM
03/15/2017 01:34 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539
Ohio
|
5% to no more than 10% but that is up to you. Service charge (15%) is built into the menu price. I guarantee, IF you ask if anything is included, the answer will be "NO".
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: edhouk]
#124257
03/15/2017 01:44 PM
03/15/2017 01:44 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
edhouk,
There is a law/rule somewhere which says French waitstaff must be paid a reasonable living wage and French restaurants must include 'service' in their menu pricing to cover this living wage. This way the waitstaff is NOT dependent on 'tips' as in the USA.
The problem, as already stated is when we Americans ask them about a tip, and since the canny French waitstaff knows exactly what we're asking - in most cases, they say no - because there is no 'tip' in France. Ergo, the unwitting American puts another 15 to 20 percent on the bill, in essence double tipping.
Do yourself a huge favor and don't ask in the first place and there will be no confusion. If the service was exceptional you may want to leave a few dollars more but you don't absolutely have to and you shouldn't feel you as though you must.
On the Dutch side this shouldn't be an issue if you look at your dinner check. If there is an unaccounted line item amount on the bill, generally 15% of the check, whatever they call it, no additional tip is required unless you choose to leave one. Again, if you ask if the tip is included, the staff may say either, "No, " or "Yes, the tip is included but we don't get it," hoping you will tip them additionally. Believe that or not as you see fit.
As you can probably tell, the whole tipping scam on the island is out of control. I get it but I don't particularly like it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by pat; 03/15/2017 02:01 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#124259
03/15/2017 02:46 PM
03/15/2017 02:46 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Oh, do you mean that 5% (used to be 3%) tot that was supposed to be paid by the merchant and NOT the end consumer? And who did they think they were kidding when that was passed.
Once upon a time, many years ago - SXM was known as a tax-free duty-free island....... and then they started adding on 'fees' as in departure fee right up to what we have today. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: kdsdance]
#124262
03/15/2017 03:20 PM
03/15/2017 03:20 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539
Ohio
|
kdsdance said: Pretty sure it is illegal to add the turnover tax. Some places have been known to add it.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: edhouk]
#124263
03/15/2017 03:42 PM
03/15/2017 03:42 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,426 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,426
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
|
The service is included on the French side. The tip is not. They are two different things, and you will be told that the tip isn't included and must be left in cash. That's completely true, but the tip is a much smaller amount than you would leave in the US. Here's a guideline for how to tip on the French side.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: edhouk]
#124268
03/16/2017 12:12 AM
03/16/2017 12:12 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 188 FL
bksm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 188
FL
|
When I'm in the USA, I tip as I'm in the USA. When I'm in France, I tip as I'm in France. In France, service is included in the menu price and the waiters are paid a living wage plus benefits.
Tipping is a personal decision and you should decide what your policy is going to be prior to dining. As has been stated, don't ask at the restaurant about tipping. I avoid restaurants that are what I consider to be deceptive towards North Americans by stating service/tip/gratuity is not included (or something similar) on the menu. These include Sol E Luna, the Lotterie Farm, Friar's Bay Beach Café, Le Ti Bouchon, and Papagayo.
My preference for French St. Martin dining is to tip around 5% if the service was good. Some posters here tip nothing while others tip 20% or more. You should tip what you feel is right after learning basic French customs. Also, if I'm presented a bill that has a hand written note or rubber stamp that service/tip/gratuity is not included, I tip nothing as I feel that is deceptive and it's probably not done to European patrons.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: bksm]
#124269
03/16/2017 06:57 AM
03/16/2017 06:57 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146 Louisiana
o2bnsxm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
|
Just to avoid missing anything that may or may not be included, I always leave a tip regardless of what is charged on the bill.
Last edited by o2bnsxm; 03/16/2017 06:58 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: golda1]
#124275
03/16/2017 01:09 PM
03/16/2017 01:09 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539
Ohio
|
I don't think it is as much an "expectation" that 15% is included as it is customary, standard practice and basically how it is done in France.
To me, the best approach is do NOT ask. Leave a few $$ or euros (perhaps 5%-10% or whatever you are comfortable with) and be on your way.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: bksm]
#124278
03/16/2017 03:15 PM
03/16/2017 03:15 PM
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 309 Chicago, IL
Mbrott
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 309
Chicago, IL
|
bksm said: 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? While I agree about L' Auberge Gourmande specifically saying it on there website and menu which bothers me at least it's specifically mentioned and not just printed on the receipt or stamped on the bill. We ate there Monday night and it was FABULOUS!!! This was after meals at Piazza Pascal and Le Peminent. Yes, the tipping this is aggravating and that 15% is probably meant for the US customers as the prices are the same as comparable restaurants that have the 15% added. Tonight is either LaVilla or Ocean82. We usually do go the crepe truck for desserts! Trip report after the trip. Mbrott
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: The_Lurker]
#124281
03/16/2017 04:45 PM
03/16/2017 04:45 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,981 Connecticut
The_Lurker
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,981
Connecticut
|
The_Lurker said: French side---around 5%
Dutch side---15% usually added to bill--it will be a separate item with food total. I was trying to keep it quick and simple, but it will never work....<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Just ran into someone born and raised overseas. He brought up the subject of tipping. He said that when he came to the U.S. he left up to 10% thinking it was an enormous tip. He then found out how waiters rely on tips here for income. He also said in foreign countries, with a decent salary and benefits, a small tip is just a little extra that isn't expected, but appreciated. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: irina]
#124283
03/16/2017 05:17 PM
03/16/2017 05:17 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,981 Connecticut
The_Lurker
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,981
Connecticut
|
irina said: No tipping on the French side. Just leave the change if it's small. Forget about service. Doesn't concern us. It has nothing to do with Americans being generous people. Think about it. It's about being uptight and worried people will think you are cheap. You have a check and it's 19 Euro, give 20 euro and walk away. cheers i Right!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: The_Lurker]
#124284
03/16/2017 05:44 PM
03/16/2017 05:44 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Ayup!! This whole tipping thing is insane! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: pat]
#124285
03/16/2017 06:09 PM
03/16/2017 06:09 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658
Maine
|
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I'm just going to go to McDonald's for every meal! LOL <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Gratuitites
[Re: gracie105]
#124287
03/16/2017 07:15 PM
03/16/2017 07:15 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
DarkDiggler
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
|
gracie105 said: I really don't care about the service charge, if the service was great I always leave 20 percent or more, even if the service charge is included.I am a bartender in the states, so I live on my tips. I always appreciate when I am left a great tip. Yes, I think most of us would consider approximately a 40% tip a great tip...
|
|
|
|