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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292389
12/13/2022 03:36 PM
12/13/2022 03:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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I don't have a huge problem with restaurants adding an extra 15% tip, so long as they don't lie about it and claim it's some kind of tax, etc. We normally tip 20%, unless the service is horrid. The server gets less from us as a result, as when there is an auto-tip, we very rarely add anything extra. Their loss.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292394
12/13/2022 04:33 PM
12/13/2022 04:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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Sounds like you ran into Kareen again. She is a quality person. Please give her my regards.
I pretty much never ask. IF there is anything added, I sometime add more for special service or a special person. There is a good chance you are not going to get the straight story when it comes to anything added to the bill.
ENJOY!
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#292398
12/13/2022 07:26 PM
12/13/2022 07:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Scuba--since you are at Flamingo, I guess you are lucky, as the vendor at Royal Palm is terrible.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#292400
12/13/2022 08:11 PM
12/13/2022 08:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Brookfield, CT.
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I could be mistaken but I was under the impression the vendor at Royal Palm was relatively new, assuming we’re talking about the same place. We attended a very nice cocktail party there in November - the drinks were very good and the appetizers were all excellent as was the service. It was a lovely evening with no complaints about the venue or the experience.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: pat]
#292401
12/13/2022 08:23 PM
12/13/2022 08:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Pat--if that is so, that is EXTREMELY good news for those who stay at Royal Palm.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#292403
12/13/2022 08:27 PM
12/13/2022 08:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Brookfield, CT.
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The evening we were there it was a private party hosted by an owner and we thought it was lovely. If I’m wrong in my thinking then I can only add the ‘old’ owners have come a long way.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: pat]
#292404
12/13/2022 08:28 PM
12/13/2022 08:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Pat--Sharon has some special privileges, so perhaps it was totally a private party.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#292405
12/13/2022 08:37 PM
12/13/2022 08:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,700 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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Posts: 18,700
Auburn, WA
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Scuba--since you are at Flamingo, I guess you are lucky, as the vendor at Royal Palm is terrible. Yes. The food and service was spot on this last trip in May at Flamingo.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292406
12/13/2022 08:39 PM
12/13/2022 08:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645
Brookfield, CT.
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Carol, It was a totally PRIVATE party and she is a very special lady so perhaps she does have special privileges. In any event, it was a very good evening.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#292408
12/13/2022 09:02 PM
12/13/2022 09:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 807 Ontario Canada
Whale Tail
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Posts: 807
Ontario Canada
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Scuba--since you are at Flamingo, I guess you are lucky, as the vendor at Royal Palm is terrible. Yes. The food and service was spot on this last trip in May at Flamingo. Scuba but did you notice if they added a service charge at either the pool bar or the small restaurant/bar at the other end of the building. We are staying there the end of March next year for a week and then moving to BSV for 3 weeks and then back to Flamingo for a few days before we leave.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292423
12/13/2022 09:53 PM
12/13/2022 09:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Whale Tail--would appreciate knowing, if you can find out, if the vendor has changed at Royal Palm. Those people have been a thorn in the side of those staying at Royal Palm for years.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292425
12/13/2022 10:07 PM
12/13/2022 10:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Whale Tail--you might check with some of the timeshare owners for that question. Trust me, in the past, that restaurant and the bar were horrible.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292430
12/13/2022 10:46 PM
12/13/2022 10:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Whale Tail--for sure, I personally don't get the whole 'timeshare' thing. Please post if you post any more info regarding the restaurant proprietors.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: pat]
#292439
12/14/2022 05:50 AM
12/14/2022 05:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,574 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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St Maarten
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According to Sharon, except for the soup and cake, all else including excellent service was provided by staff of the restaurant. Old or new, I don't know. But all of it was very well done
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: GaKaye]
#292469
12/14/2022 12:59 PM
12/14/2022 12:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,700 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,700
Auburn, WA
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There were no wristbands at Flamingo last week. How did you enjoy your stay there?
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#292471
12/14/2022 01:34 PM
12/14/2022 01:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,413 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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There were no wristbands at Flamingo last week. How did you enjoy your stay there? I didn't stay there, my friend did. She enjoyed her unit, but the service was definitely not what it should be. Her bill was totally incorrect the entire time she was there, and wasn't corrected until the last day. Housekeeping didn't come when they were supposed to, and when they did, they didn't remove the used towels. Hopefully they'll get the kinks worked out eventually. The resort is lovely.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#292483
12/14/2022 08:21 PM
12/14/2022 08:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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Sharon--first, welcome back!!! You are welcome anytime!! With regard to Royal Palm, very glad to hear that the food is better. RP 'owners' deserve better. Take Care, best wishes, Queen of SXM!!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#292486
12/14/2022 09:48 PM
12/14/2022 09:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 807 Ontario Canada
Whale Tail
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Posts: 807
Ontario Canada
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To quote SharonfromSXM "People don't want to be charged $2.00 & change at the bar". I have absolutely no problem being charged $2.00 at the bar for a Happy Hour beer and tipping $1.00 to the server it makes me feel good that I just gave a 33% tip. But when I'm charged $2.60 for a Happy Hour beer and in order to reach that 33% by adding .40 cents to the bill it makes me feel cheap. So if I add additional $1.00 to the $2.60 plus .40 cent bill it makes me feel that I'm paying too much. I just left the bar 15 minutes ago and I haven't met a server that I didn't like. My math might be wrong but I hope you get my point.
Last edited by Whale Tail; 12/14/2022 09:59 PM.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#292495
12/15/2022 07:58 AM
12/15/2022 07:58 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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Good to see you back. Glad to hear something positive about the situation there are Royal Palm.
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#292509
12/15/2022 11:03 AM
12/15/2022 11:03 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,949 Connecticut
The_Lurker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,949
Connecticut
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Hi Sharon--nice to see you here! Just a quick comment---the food at your party was excellent, as was the service and friendliness of the servers. A perfect evening!
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292774
12/20/2022 09:37 AM
12/20/2022 09:37 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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As Georgia stated, the 15%/10% is NOT a government tax. There is (or at least there used to be) a Turn Over Tax (TOT) of 5% but businesses are NOT supposed to add it as a separate line item. Somewhere I have a copy of the SXM TOT document but can't locate it right now but I will provide a link that addresses some of the taxes on SXM. I have found it best NOT to ask as you open yourself up to being misled, confused and often duped into tipping more than you would otherwise. I have found in over 30+years of visiting, it is best NOT to ask. Honestly, I have only found ONE restaurant owner to be honest about this and he no longer owns the restaurant. TAX LINK
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292775
12/20/2022 09:55 AM
12/20/2022 09:55 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,682
Central Florida!
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No, that is an absolute LIE. There is no government tax on the Dutch side that is supposed to be passed on to the consumer. The Dutch side DOES have turnover tax, which is 5%, by the way. But the rules state that TOT is not supposed to be added on as a surcharge on the bill to the consumer. We had a similar situation at Astra. Wonderful meal, and then the server claimed that the 15% on the bill did not go to the server at all, and wanted us to add more. We declined.
Carol Hill
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292782
12/20/2022 10:17 AM
12/20/2022 10:17 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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That is the way to do it.
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292804
12/20/2022 12:35 PM
12/20/2022 12:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,700 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Posts: 18,700
Auburn, WA
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I concur with what JD and Carol stated. There is a TOT tax of 5% but that is for the restaurant to pay and not the patron and can't be added to the final bill. If they do, like Jimbo's used to do, it's a scam and I call them on it.
Last edited by ruralcarrier; 12/20/2022 05:05 PM.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292819
12/20/2022 03:44 PM
12/20/2022 03:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,949 Connecticut
The_Lurker
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,949
Connecticut
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Last night at a delicious dinner at Sublime our server brought the check and I said that you have added a 15% service charge and he replied that was a Gov't tax. When I questioned it he said that 10% was for the Gov't and 5% went to the server. I think that was BS. Has anyone asked the Gov't for a definitive answer on this if so I would like to know. I think they add 15% to the bill and hope for another 15% on top of that for a total of 30% gratuity. It kind of left a sour taste in my mouth after a wonderful dinner. The night before we had dinner at Jax's and no service charge was added to the bill. Just be honest with me and I'll return again and again. Our server told us the same thing! It took us so long to find him, our missing bread with that delicious spread, and the complimentary drink at the end, that I did speak up and say there is no tax. We will still return, since we both enjoyed our dinners. These were kind of minor issues.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#292841
12/20/2022 07:40 PM
12/20/2022 07:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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I believe most who are not of European descent will likely tip more generously this way than if a service charge (and being misled about such) was added.
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#292847
12/20/2022 09:24 PM
12/20/2022 09:24 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,645
Brookfield, CT.
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True that, JD. I’ve long felt the restaurants did their staff a huge disservice by doing things the way they do but not my island - not my problem. If they include it on the check that’s what the staff is getting. Unless, of course, the service is exceptional and then we quietly slip the server a little something extra for his/her efforts. 🙂🙂
Last edited by pat; 12/20/2022 11:25 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292849
12/20/2022 09:39 PM
12/20/2022 09:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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If a restaurant dares to add the 15%, it is the tip so just go with it and add nothing more. If they didn't add it, most people would add a 20% tip rather than the 15% they added. Their loss. Some day they might figure it out!
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: SharonfromSXM]
#292864
12/21/2022 06:34 AM
12/21/2022 06:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,001 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,001
Westchester /NYC
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SHARON!!! Good to see you back on TTOL!! Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all that you've done for us over the years with all your connections!! We'll talk again about "RP"!!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: Whale Tail]
#292867
12/21/2022 07:26 AM
12/21/2022 07:26 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,574 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,574
St Maarten
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Folks, don't forget the fact that most of the world outside of the US does NOT tip. Breaks my heart to see people spending over $100 and giving no tip at all. ANd we see it nearly every time we go out. That's the reason the restaurants do that. I don't like it either
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: GaKaye]
#292878
12/21/2022 09:30 AM
12/21/2022 09:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,515 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,515
Ohio
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Correct but many times when one asks about the "tip" on the French side, they are told it is not included. In reality the "tip" is not included but the service charge is and some are not aware of that and will leave an additional 20% or more.
J.D.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#292905
12/21/2022 04:50 PM
12/21/2022 04:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,413 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Posts: 13,413
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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Correct but many times when one asks about the "tip" on the French side, they are told it is not included. In reality the "tip" is not included but the service charge is and some are not aware of that and will leave an additional 20% or more. As usual, don't ask.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#292907
12/21/2022 05:27 PM
12/21/2022 05:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts
boucharda
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Traveler
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Posts: 5,085
Massachusetts
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We just spent a tad over two weeks in the Dordogne Valley town of Sarlat in France and I was amazed that it is common practice for EVERYONE at a restaurant to either leave nothing for a tip or just some change. It took a bit to get used to this but we did....it just felt weird
Last edited by boucharda; 12/21/2022 05:28 PM.
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Re: Service Charge or Tip
[Re: BillandElaine]
#292910
12/21/2022 07:06 PM
12/21/2022 07:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Many other countries tip for service and Canada is one of them. In spite of the fact our service industry is well paid, we still tip 20% and beyond for good service. Businesses must remember what tipping is all about. Tips are for exceptional service and it is up to the client to make that decision.Emplorers must pay their employees a good living wage and they should not depend on their tips for that. Automatically putting a tip on the bill is in very bad taste and shows their lack of professionalism.Then they lie about it which is even worse. I understand that the servers are not paid well especially on the Dutch side of the island, but those in authority need to change that if they want to retain their tourist business. Thankfully the FRENCH government treats their employees fairly and they don't have to depend on tips to survive.
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