TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Karakter

Todd--whether it's improper to attribute bad motives to someone up front is another question, but I think the question is a valid one. It's different in policy when there is a line item for service charge on the bill. That's what I meant when I said that Tim wasn't addressing the current issue. I personally don't particularly like it, but I see that specific charge and I just move on and don't leave any more. When there's no line item for it, unless you examine the menu closely, you just 'assume' that you still need to leave your regular 15-20% on top. When you say, be educated about tipping policy, it gets real confusing when you have a french side policy being used on the Dutch side. Billy said that he knew that tips were included and he still tipped 15% on TOP of that. I would never do that in a million years. But I think there will be many folks who just don't pay attention and will tip their normal rate, on top of the bill. We will see how it shakes out in real life. ESPECIALLY how the servers handle it. We all know that servers now have often told customers that the specific 15% on the bill doesn't go to them, and question why people are not leaving any tip for the server.

The menu page lays out their policy. I overtipped because because of ingrained habits. I and all of you must be smarter tippers.

Is sand gravity like quicksand?

I’ve been going to the Driftwood for years and always tipped 20%. I was doing the same last year until I heard one of the bartenders ask a customer if he wanted to add a tip and he said no it was already included. Included! What! I checked out the menu and there it was, a 15% service charge will be added to your bill. I was wondering when did they add that and for how long have I been paying 20% on top of the 15%. I hadn’t really looked at a menu for a long time because I always knew what I wanted. No wonder the bartenders were always happy to see me. So you really have to check the menu or bill carefully now even at places you have been going to for years.

Tim--So, was there a line item of 15% on the bill? We haven't been to Driftwood for years, just haven't gone, for whatever reason.

Exactly

I go to Driftwood often. I know the past couple of years the 15% service charge was always shown on my bill.

Yes. It was probably there. I just wasn’t paying attention. That’s my point.

Tim--OK

They must think this is St. Barths!!! No thank you! Drinks must not be to far behind with those prices!!!

This is the problem with paying the waitstaff a fair wage and only tipping for extraordinary service. People see the prices and think OMG! I won't pay that! When in fact, they probably ARE paying that after adding in a tip.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This

If I have an extrodinary meal with excellent service I often double the tip.
After spending thousands to get and stay there not going to worry about who's making what off of me.