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Great dinner tonight at Oasis… #300161
04/20/2023 09:34 PM
04/20/2023 09:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 3
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biffyclyro2 Offline OP
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biffyclyro2  Offline OP
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…but then the bill came. I paid with my card, there was no line for a tip. After I signed, the server said something to the effect of, “Oh, and for your tip you can leave American cash.” I said, “Oh, isn’t service included?” He said it wasn’t and walked off.

I left some cash - more than I would’ve liked because I didn’t have any smaller bills - but the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. How do you handle this when dining on the French side (I know the Dutch side is different)? Kinda feel like I was guilted into paying more than what the situation called for.

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Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: biffyclyro2] #300166
04/20/2023 11:41 PM
04/20/2023 11:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Service is included on the French side by law. Dutch side is left to the owner to dictate if included or not. A server should never suggest leaving a tip on either side unless asked by the customer. It's tacky if they do.

Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: biffyclyro2] #300176
04/21/2023 07:07 AM
04/21/2023 07:07 AM
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Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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The wording was on the tacky side. When I have a consultation with a new client. I explain that there bill can be paid in Check, cash or charge, but we can no longer put gratuities on your CC. I'm thinking his/her english wasn't so good, and that was the only way they knew how to explain the tipping policy. I'd cut them some slack! You try working on your feet for an eight hour shift.


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Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: biffyclyro2] #300183
04/21/2023 08:12 AM
04/21/2023 08:12 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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In France, service and tip are two different things. Service is included in the menu price. Tip is a small amount to show appreciation for excellent service, and is never expected.

Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: biffyclyro2] #300189
04/21/2023 09:37 AM
04/21/2023 09:37 AM
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Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline
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Once in our September trip, and twice during our December trip we were told that service was not included in the bill (of course not, it was included in their wage, and a component of total cost). This was on the French side, and one was Ocean 82. Seems like this line is becoming more common recently. Nothing on the menu stated otherwise.

Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: cruzer] #300208
04/21/2023 02:29 PM
04/21/2023 02:29 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Online content
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pony600  Online Content
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Originally Posted by cruzer
Once in our September trip, and twice during our December trip we were told that service was not included in the bill (of course not, it was included in their wage, and a component of total cost). This was on the French side, and one was Ocean 82. Seems like this line is becoming more common recently. Nothing on the menu stated otherwise.


How did you handle it? Did you leave a "tip"?


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If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: GaKaye] #300211
04/21/2023 02:51 PM
04/21/2023 02:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Originally Posted by GaKaye
In France, service and tip are two different things. Service is included in the menu price. Tip is a small amount to show appreciation for excellent service, and is never expected.

Exactly what GaKaye stated and you NEVER ask as it shows you may not know and opens yourself up to being misled.


J.D.
Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: biffyclyro2] #300212
04/21/2023 02:53 PM
04/21/2023 02:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,475
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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biffy--we leave maybe $5 or $10 on the French side (in cash). Not even 10%.


Carol Hill
Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: GaKaye] #300213
04/21/2023 03:09 PM
04/21/2023 03:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Portland, OR
I understand the whole tip thing. But what is "service"? What does that entail?


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Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: jazzgal] #300215
04/21/2023 03:23 PM
04/21/2023 03:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by jazzgal
I understand the whole tip thing. But what is "service"? What does that entail?

Service is what is expected when I dine out.

Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: pony600] #300220
04/21/2023 04:37 PM
04/21/2023 04:37 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline
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cruzer  Offline
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Lake Texoma, Texas
Pony, twice I left 15ish %. For small amounts, I can always be scammed once, recognizing things may have changed, and just ignored the third attempt. Since I generally "round up" about 5%, it essentially amounted to an extra 10%. When we later had lunch at Le Taitu, I asked Jean about this, and he said nothing had changed. When we first started coming to the island, and I asked him if service was included in his prices, he essentially told me "No matter what anyone tells you, service is always included on the French side.

I suspect some of the wait staff is foofing me.

C'est la vie.

Re: Great dinner tonight at Oasis… [Re: jazzgal] #300311
04/23/2023 07:27 AM
04/23/2023 07:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Originally Posted by jazzgal
I understand the whole tip thing. But what is "service"? What does that entail?


Linda, I think you're complicating it. Service is basically what you expect, and we consider it to be valued at 15% in France. We almost always leave an additional $5 for up to a $100 tab, and $10 for $150-$200. Again, it's what makes you comfortable. We've been told on the French side that we can leave the tip in cash, and we simply say that we understand, and leave what we always do.

Last edited by GaKaye; 04/23/2023 09:29 AM.

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