TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Double tipping at meals

Got hit up at Nova/Oil Nut Bay for a requested second tip on a lunch meal. Paid with a credit card / I put a 20% gratuity tip on this. Waiter returned and implied the first tip didn't directly go to her (but instead went to the entire kitchen staff) and a "second, additional gratuity" for her should be considered.

I've read about this in the past at different places in the BVI. Any other current restaurants playing this game?

Just smile and just say No.

That is when it has gone way too far..agree, smile and say "no"..and, IMHO, dont come back!

I hardly ever post here but read most of the threads as often as I can, I'm not sure if anyone at ONB monitors this forum as before since a past employee I know who is still on here. Nevertheless that employee would be fired "ASAP" if this reaches management and they can pinpoint the server.

Sounds like the same woman who served us many years ago at Leverick. We haven't gone back.

With the exception of the French Deli, I have heard many reports of generally slow business.

In our travels this past year we have heard a few people in places we visited ( Key West, Naples Florida) say tourism seems slower. As for the request for a second tip, that would make me very uncomfortable and when I feel that way I don't return.
Cheers,
Markis

Let me put in this in "better and worse" context:

The Better is that "we got hit up for the double tip" during out last visit to Nova/Oil Nut Bay (summer 2025 / six to eight months ago). I don't know if the same employees are there or not.

The Worse is that it was implied that this was their business practice. We used their water shuttle to get around to Oil Nut Bay / They're asking for an extra gratuity and our bunch still needs a ride home back to BEYC. They kinda got you over a barrel.

We leave again for the BVI in 2 wks (yeah) - I've read about this on TTOL involving other restaurants in the past. I didn't know if there are any other 'red flag" stories.

thx, rrs

I don't mind tipping the ferry driver if he's helpful. He likely doesn't get a cut of the restaurant tips.

BVI law provides that a shared tip comes with various conditions, but the restaurant isn't obligated to do shared tips. I would rather they priced their menu correctly and left tips optional. My guess has been it is a way to pay employees more in high season, less in slow season. I still don't like it.

So what is the answer here? Just pay in cash?

We just had dinner at Marina Cay (packed, btw). They add a 20% tip. The server was very good, so we left her $5 cash.

So what was the amount of your check before tip and were you a party of more than two?

Or should we only tip the server directly in cash. The price of the meal and drinks should be set such the restaurant covered their expenses. Why should this be any different in the BVI?

My BVI rule..if service is included I will give the server a little extra always in cash..and more if they are really pleasant.. (TIPS..To Insure Prompt Service)

Manpot,
Just trying to get a sense of what's appropriate, how much is "a little extra in cash"? (Don't want to be the Ignorant Americans, but don't want to be a fool either.)

First, look to see the % service charge, which can be 15-20%. Depending on the level of service, we might add 5%. It has gotten pretty brazen. There are even tip jars on checkout counters in stores.

Glad to hear that you had a good experience at Marina Cay. We returned to Marina Cay three weeks ago for the first time since the rebuild. Indeed a beautiful facility. We had a reservation for eight people ( four couples). We advised the manager that we would be requesting one check for each couple, the manager promptly advised that we would have to wait to be seated and their policy was no more than three checks per table. First (and only) time we have had that scenario presented to us. The food was quite good, but the sour service remained throughout the evening. Fortunately, our service through the remainder of the trip once we left Marina Cay was pleasant and welcoming.

Was the manager a middle-aged guy, not slim, a bit pompous? If so, I had a run-in with him on Christmas. They had accepted more reservations than they had room for. They were late getting set up - still putting out tables when service was due to start. Saw him again last week. He's full of himself. Kept telling me how my experience would be perfect. Ratman first stayed at MC in 1965, and we've been going there ever since. There is no reason that each couple can't be given their own check.

So with all this said i do not get the sense that tipping beyond the 15-20% on the check is appropriate. I would not add a little if the check includes the fee. If the check does not include the tip I would hand the server the cash tip. What do you think??? Am i missing something??

I really hope that people don't feel obligated to give more of their hard earned cash because a business decides to put a service charge on the bill? To me, a service charge is an obnoxious insult, to the staff and the patron, If service is great tip great, if service is terrible show your opinion of the server with a lesser tip! I wont go into percentages because it doesn't matter, it's a personal choice! If I see a note on the menu that there's a 20% service charge it makes me over conscious of our server! I always tip big for great service, but if a bartender is lousy and keeps me there all day they might find the cost of the drinks and a couple coins on the bar! Don't get me wrong, if you knew me, I am not cheap, just don't feel entitled to my hard earned money!

Well this debate has been intermittently going on for a long time it seems.
We just returned from 2 weeks land based on Anegada and 1 week on VG. We have been coming for about most of the past 20 years.
It seems to have become the standard way of doing business for most restaurants. They need to keep all of their employees, and are challenged with supply chain and employment issues that most of us would prefer not to deal with in our own businesses.
I figure that as a customer I am thankful that they are in business for me. We really find that in the vast majority of cases that the staff is striving to take good care of us. We rarely see the sullen uncaring attitude that sometimes occurred years ago. Remember?
So this is how I approach this. I look at the check to see what the service charge is. I circle it. I gently, quietly ask if there is a service charge. If an honest answer is forthcoming, I give directly ~10% in cash to our server, or less if appropriate. I tip less for the alcohol. Most are appreciative and realize that I know the game.
I feel that this way the person at the front of the staff is directly recognized fairly by me and the system that works in the country where I am the guest has to be accepted by me.
Less stress, That is why we are here. My attitude is: Let it go.
Life is too short.

The tipping thing has gotten completely out of hand. I had to select "no tip" at a freeking Dunkin Donuts drive through the other day... In my opinion, to-go, counter orders, or drive throughs should not pressure you to tip.

As for establishments with an automatic gratuity, my opinion is similar to what others have said here, for outstanding service, I will still occasionally add a bit to the standard, My standard tip for normal service is 20%, so if the mandatory tip is 15%, I'll add the other 5% for normal service, or even more for excellent service. If the server asks me to tip more than I already have, yeah, I'm unlikely to return there.

Not meal related, but I was pretty disappointed to read Sunchaser Scuba's cancellation policy which has you agree to have your credit card charged INCLUDING GRATUITY if the cancellation deadline is missed.

I'm really struggling to come up with a justification for this, which makes me sad. We are both very fond of Ben and Kay.

I like the suggestion that if a 20% gratuity is included (am split by the team) then you slip $5 in cash for the server. Great service should be rewarded but honestly the prices in the BVI are already very inflated. I see no reason to add alot more.