Not pointed at any one response.

It isn't the US. In the US most of us do not tip our Doctor, Nurse, Plumber, Grocery Store Clerk, or many other positions that do provide us a service but they are paid a living wage. Wait staff in France and many other countries are paid a living wage.

Also, on the Dutch side if somebody includes and clearly states they are adding 15%, don't penalize them for that. If you normally do 20%, add to it. On the other side of this, if they try to tell you it is something other than tip, don't listen and/or don't go back.

I will finally sign up for that online bartending class for 40% tips.

BTW. It appears the consensus is to tip on the total bill. We generally have a bottle of wine with dinner. Are you guys really tipping the wait staff 20 euro to open and pour a $100 bottle of wine?!?

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

We stopped going to L'Auberge Gourmande when they started this practice. I doubt that's printed on their French language menu. Sad, because it was always one of our favorites.

Wow Irina, no need to yell at me, I will tip as I please. Also Todd you are wrong about the Doctor, Nurse, Plumber, Grocery store clerk etc. First of all you cannot compare a bartenders service to a Doctor or nurse... I give my Doctors office presents at holiday time to show my appreciation for all they do, don't know if they do this by you, but here in NY everywhere you go there is a tip cup.... ...Also Irina you have no idea what you are talking about...so please do not yell at me again. You are very rude.

First of all, I'm not tipping 20% on the French side, because the service is included. My *tip* is around 5% of the check, regardless of the composure of that check. If I'm buying a $100 bottle of wine, $5 is insignificant.

OK, guys, calm down... No need to yell at each other or to call each other rude..

Carol, Carol,Carol

It was a cat fight that was starting so it was inappropriate to use the male pronoun "guys". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Only teasing because Miss Pat disparaged all men on another thread. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Now, I wish warm weather, fair winds and calm seas to everyone.

Carol, she was rude to me, and I will call her so. Did you see the way she signed her post? I would call that rude....I was just giving my opinion like everyone else on this thread, she doesn't need to lash out at me. I am finished with this, please everyone have a nice day.

OK, as I said, let's all just move on..

Every few months we have this discussion and I am always amazed that it still get 50 responses and gets testy!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, SXM is a laid back chill Island. This Board should try to remember how laid back and chill you feel when you are there before responding here.

JMHO

So long as there is a service charge! You do not have to tip... this is not really hard. If you feel the need to pay more than service charge that your perogative. Probably did not spell that right... Is it only americans that go nuts over this tipping thing? yup... If you are on Island for more than two weeks and eat out a lot, the tipping issue would probably be long gone....