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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: JohnandBev]
#92990
04/05/2016 11:17 AM
04/05/2016 11:17 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 186
JulieandKarl
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: 2hounds]
#92992
04/05/2016 12:06 PM
04/05/2016 12:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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You shouldn't be made to feel bad for asking, simply because this can be a confusing issue, and as you see some of the advice you receive may tend to further muddle the issue. My rule of thumb: if a food item is listed on the menu for a certain price (let's say $20), and I'm charged that amount, then I tip as I would at home. If I'm charged $23 for the same item because of a "service" charge, then that is my tip. By definition, a service charge is for service. If that amount is added, and the bill states that the tip is not included, then that is a red flag not to return to that establishment. I follow this same line of thinking on either side of the island.
Bottom line: Do what [color:"red"]you [color:"black"]feel is right, and enjoy [color:"red"]your [color:"black"]vacation.[/color][/color][/color][/color]
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: Biturbo]
#92993
04/05/2016 12:23 PM
04/05/2016 12:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,464 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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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.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: GaKaye]
#92999
04/05/2016 01:10 PM
04/05/2016 01:10 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,677 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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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="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: kim]
#93000
04/05/2016 01:23 PM
04/05/2016 01:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 96 US
jborosara
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kim said: So when the menu says clearly "service non Compris" are you taking that as the restaurant is ripping you off or not?? No - not at all - I strongly suspect the wait staff has figured out they make more if left up to patrons (many of whom are from the US and accustomed to tipping) are allowed to decide what the service charge/tip should be. Frankly, I think it's a privilege to be able to take such a wonderful and relaxing vacation - and the beach servers work their tails off - so I'd tip even if it were included... The servers at KonTiki are top notch - they really make my vacation special - it's why we go back year after year after year...
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: 2hounds]
#93001
04/05/2016 02:18 PM
04/05/2016 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Since Georgia and a few others have given a very good explanation, I will only add " tip the way it makes you feel good"! Do not let something like tipping cause stress on vacation. Life is too short to worry about"doing it right"! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: pat]
#93002
04/05/2016 03:14 PM
04/05/2016 03:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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Clearwater, FL
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Sorry, Pat & Georgia, I, in fact have had the 15% service charge added on the French side at several places. Even though no longer there, Le Frigate and Andy & Cheryl's come to mind - and there have been others. I fail to see how my simple explanation further muddles things. It works for me.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: Biturbo]
#93004
04/05/2016 03:31 PM
04/05/2016 03:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 188 FL
bksm
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Posts: 188
FL
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Biturbo said: I, in fact have had the 15% service charge added on the French side at several places. Which current restaurants on the French side add a 15% service charge?
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: Biturbo]
#93005
04/05/2016 03:45 PM
04/05/2016 03:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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And the 2nd restaurant you mentioned did this for a long time. Hard to decipher at times but it was always there.
J.D.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: MrWhiskerssammy]
#93007
04/05/2016 04:21 PM
04/05/2016 04:21 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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MrWhiskerssammy said: I agree totally with Pat and GaKaye--LOOK at the bill. LOOK at the menu. If anything extra is added that is all you need to know. Don't ask the wait staff. If there is anything added and your service was great, do add something extra if you want to. On the Dutch side if there is no additional charge then add your tip. Best suggestion there is!
J.D.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: GaKaye]
#93008
04/05/2016 05:50 PM
04/05/2016 05:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
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That's what I meant. But, you said that this wouldn't happen on the French side - and it still does. We can agree to disagree on this - but to the original poster, the more opinions he or she reads on here, the more confusing it can get, That's why I added to do what one is comfortable doing, and don't let it ruin their vacation worrying.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Sevice Fee/Tipping
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#93015
04/06/2016 06:50 AM
04/06/2016 06:50 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,464 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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SXMScubaman said: "I definitely agree with doing what's comfortable, especially if you're not going to be a repeat visitor." I don't see the difference in whether your a repeater or not with being comfortable tipping. Not sure of what your saying in regard to not being a repeat customer. What I meant was, if you're going to visit French side restaurants frequently (meaning year after year), then adding 20% to the cost of your meal will be unnecessarily expensive. So if what makes you comfortable is to add a 20% tip on top of the already included service, then you're overpaying; and in the long term that would be costly.
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