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Re: Tipping
[Re: kim]
#307908
11/01/2023 11:11 AM
11/01/2023 11:11 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,819 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,819
Auburn, WA
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Loaded question. It’s gotten very ugly lately and im working on a letter to the government/paper/tourist board etc. have witnessed aggressive staff complaining to patrons that the added 15-20-% doesn’t go to them and we are expected to tip them out another 15-20%. Got very ugly at 3 Amigos a few nights ago. And two other places where we left cash on table it was looked at with an attitude like it wasn’t enough. All I know is I’m tired of staff complaining to patrons that they don’t get it and if that’s the case SHAME ON OWNERS to not raise their prices and pay their staff accordingly. This is the Dutch side. I agree but I have also been harassed on the French side for not tipping when I didn't feel it was worthy of a tip.
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Re: Tipping
[Re: Wahnfried]
#307913
11/01/2023 11:26 AM
11/01/2023 11:26 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Well said, Kim. IMHO, the whole tipping thing is way out of control.
If you are charged a fee for a service on the Dutch side that, to me, is the gratuity. End of discussion!
And if the service was exceptional, then perhaps a few dollars given directly to the waitperson in cash. But sadly, the inclusion of the service charge all too often leads to the decline in the quality of service and sometimes the demeanor of the wait staff as well. True Sint Maarteners, if you can find any, are generally a very kind and happy people so that, too, can also figure into your approach to tipping.
The French service staff is supposedly far better paid than the Dutch so basically we do the same there as we do on the Dutch side having been told by many in the know not to leave the higher percentage like we normally might do..
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Tipping
[Re: kim]
#307923
11/01/2023 12:08 PM
11/01/2023 12:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887
Central Florida!
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Kim--For sure, tipping is out of control. I do not expect to get attitude from a server if I don't leave enough to suit them. I'm surprised that you went to Three Amigos at all. Do you go there a lot?? We went there, one and done. Didn't like the food, prices too high for what it is, drinks expensive, inside hot as hades. Server was OK, I guess, I don't really remember.
Carol Hill
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Re: Tipping
[Re: kim]
#307938
11/01/2023 01:29 PM
11/01/2023 01:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
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...It’s gotten very ugly lately and im working on a letter to the government/paper/tourist board etc. have witnessed aggressive staff complaining to patrons... tipping has become a big issue on SBH, so much so that the local government has asked customers to report establishments that obligate/bully their customers into tipping, often by handwriting a "tip" line on the bill or flat out asking for a tip...the government acknowledges staff are paid a fair wage, and tipping should be purely at the discretion of the customer, so it is unacceptable for waitstaff to be intimidating customers into tipping...i don't know if anything like this is happening on the french side of SXM
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Re: Tipping
[Re: IslandBoi]
#307941
11/01/2023 01:51 PM
11/01/2023 01:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887
Central Florida!
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Wow, that's interesting re St. Barts. I personally have not really experienced much of a problem with tipping in St. Martin.
Carol Hill
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Re: Tipping
[Re: kim]
#307953
11/01/2023 03:14 PM
11/01/2023 03:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,887
Central Florida!
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Like I said, I thought their food was way overpriced, for what it is, and the drinks were way overpriced also. I would not go back there to 3 Amigos.
Carol Hill
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Re: Tipping
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#307963
11/01/2023 03:38 PM
11/01/2023 03:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,819 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,819
Auburn, WA
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Wow, that's interesting re St. Barts. I personally have not really experienced much of a problem with tipping in St. Martin. I remember the time a few years back we ate at the old Bikini Beach in Orient and forgot to leave a tip before I knew about it usually built into menu prices. Waitress tracked me down at my lounge chair and rudely demanded a tip. I was so shocked and speechless I gave her some green and an apology. Never again.
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Re: Tipping
[Re: kim]
#307964
11/01/2023 03:47 PM
11/01/2023 03:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 238
MrWhiskerssammy
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 238
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I agree with you Kim. We go to 3 Amigos on Taco Tues. Their margaritas are only $3.00 and the tacos are only $2.00 each. We like them, and for us, that is pretty much very affordible. As for other times, we feel that they are a little on the expensive side as well.
Last edited by MrWhiskerssammy; 11/01/2023 03:48 PM. Reason: mis spelling
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Re: Tipping
[Re: pat]
#308033
11/02/2023 10:20 AM
11/02/2023 10:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313
Vancouver, WA
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I follow along with what Pat stated, and restating what I have stated before below.
On the Dutch side we tip based on the 15% to 20% usually the 20% and as also stated in this thread if Happy Hour we likely will tip at a higher rate. "IF" a service charge or whatever is added to the tab we consider that part of the tip, and not my fault if that does not go to the wait staff as that is a management issue and the employees issue that chooses to work there. Lots of jobs for good wait staff on island.
French side, 5% is our norm to add although we often end up at 10%.
I completely understand why some places add the line item for a tip/service charge as some nationalities don't tip or tip similar to what the French side norm is. If on the Dutch side and wait staff depending upon that for part or most of their income that is not really fair to these people, but it needs to be clear, not hidden and when they argue then that is my last trip there.
It is all pretty simple in my opinion if you apply what I just wrote, took me years to get comfortable with the French side ways but have not had a single issue and always felt welcome when returning. Speaking of returning, 17 days until our longest stay yet which will be 4 weeks! Whoooop Whooooop!!!
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Tipping
[Re: Wahnfried]
#308696
11/12/2023 06:25 AM
11/12/2023 06:25 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,022 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,022
Westchester /NYC
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I get it, the French side and their owners pay there staff a higher amount than the Dutch side restaurants. IMHO, these restaurants on the Dutch side are shooting themselves in the foot with this "Service charge" ! The staff is getting the shaft and now begging for a tip. The service was so BAD at Sublime that I had all to do to keep my composer and RUN! Then the waitress had the BALLS to ask for a tip as the table behind us thought they were eating Dave and Busters!! HOLY SH*T Until Lela comes back take this one off the list!! I do feel bad for these people, but I just can't keep over tipping! And I'm in the service business!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: Tipping
[Re: Wahnfried]
#308739
11/12/2023 03:35 PM
11/12/2023 03:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,432 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,432
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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It's simple. On the French side, service is included, by law, in the menu price. If you feel your service deserves it, a dollar or two left in cash is appropriate. On the Dutch side, service is not included in the menu price, but may be added as a separate item on the check. If it isn't, then tip as you would in the US. If it is, then add more, or not, as you feel is appropriate.
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Re: Tipping
[Re: GaKaye]
#308759
11/12/2023 07:17 PM
11/12/2023 07:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,547 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,547
Ohio
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I wish everyone viewed it like this.
J.D.
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