Service Compris

[orangewasabi]

So, we're getting in our cc statements from our trip to Paris.

we tried to work with the service compris concept, though it's hard for us, as the tip is one way we show our delight in a restaurant.

The Taillevent bill has us particularly concerned.

We added additional tip to the bill then totalled it though there were no preset lines to do so.

They didn't take it (or only the originally billed amount showed up on our statement).

Did we offend? is it not done?

we started leaving cash under our plates toward the end. we had such a delightful server at one of our last meals and didn't know how else to let him know the difference he'd made.

[Felice]

So, we're getting in our cc statements from our trip to Paris.

we tried to work with the service compris concept, though it's hard for us, as the tip is one way we show our delight in a restaurant.

The Taillevent bill has us particularly concerned. 

We added additional tip to the bill then totalled it though there were no preset lines to do so.

They didn't take it (or only the originally billed amount showed up on our statement).

Did we offend?  is it not done?

we started leaving cash under our plates toward the end.  we had such a delightful server at one of our last meals and didn't know how else to let him know the difference he'd made.

←

No don' t worry you didnt offend them, they just had no way of adding in the amount since it was written in. If you want to add a tip to the credit card in France you must tell them ahead of time. So if the bill is 100€ and you want to leave a 5€ tip you just say 105€ when they bring the machine. French credit card machines are not set up the same was as they are in the US. In France the waiter punches the amount to be paid into the machine and they can not add more later. In the US, the system is set up so that the waiters add in the tips at the end of the night. It is not uncommon in restaurant in Paris for several people to split the bill and most people just round up to make things easier and to give the waiter a small tip.

Even though service is 'compris', it is very nice to leave a tip in France, you just don't need to leave 15-20% because you know that your waiter is making at least the minimum wage. Tips are still very much appreciated because waiters don't make an enormous salary.

[Busboy]

My impression has also been that in Europe (not just France) where gaming the tax system is a major hobby, tipping in cash is always the way to go.

[Felice]

My impression has also been that in Europe (not just France) where gaming the tax system is a major hobby, tipping in cash is always the way to go.

←

True, cash is always preferred since it's easier and is normally not declared. Sometimes a restaurant may not want to accept any extra money on the credit card because it is not income and may cause their books to be off. Occasionally a waiter will say they can not add extra to the card, so in that case I just leave cash.

Not surprisingly, this is true in the US too

[orangewasabi]

thanks Felice, boy do I feel like a rube.

[menton1]

The best way to tip in France is in cash. 5% is considered a large gratuity. If you tip with a credit card many times this will NOT be passed along to the waiter, because the house will keep the money, as per arrangement with the waiters and the waiters' syndicat.

At some less pricey places other than Taillevent, just some monnaie (coins) left on the table will suffice.