"Service Included" Restaurants...Tip?
Mar 6, 2009, 12:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 250
"Service Included" Restaurants...Tip?
I have a relatively simple question that will sound foolish to experienced diners: in an upscale restaurant with a prix fixe tasting menu that states "Service Included" on the menu, what do you do when you meal is over? Sign your check and leave? Does anyone leave an additional gratuity, or does the waitstaff not count on receiving tips above and beyond the included amount?
Being an American (where there are tip jars at McDonald's) and being raised by my mother to never leave less than 15% for table service no matter how bad the service is, I would just feel a little awkward being waited on by 5-6 staff for 3+ hours and just signing the check.
Thanks in advance.
Being an American (where there are tip jars at McDonald's) and being raised by my mother to never leave less than 15% for table service no matter how bad the service is, I would just feel a little awkward being waited on by 5-6 staff for 3+ hours and just signing the check.
Thanks in advance.
Mar 6, 2009, 12:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
I have a relatively simple question that will sound foolish to experienced diners: in an upscale restaurant with a prix fixe tasting menu that states "Service Included" on the menu, what do you do when you meal is over? Sign your check and leave? Does anyone leave an additional gratuity, or does the waitstaff not count on receiving tips above and beyond the included amount?
Being an American (where there are tip jars at McDonald's) and being raised by my mother to never leave less than 15% for table service no matter how bad the service is, I would just feel a little awkward being waited on by 5-6 staff for 3+ hours and just signing the check.
Thanks in advance.
Being an American (where there are tip jars at McDonald's) and being raised by my mother to never leave less than 15% for table service no matter how bad the service is, I would just feel a little awkward being waited on by 5-6 staff for 3+ hours and just signing the check.
Thanks in advance.
Mar 6, 2009, 3:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 309
When we're abroad (France, Italy), at a restaurant that states "service included" (most, if not all, of them) we have come to understand that "service" is basically the waiter's salary and that GRATUITY is NOT included. However, 5% additional is considered a nice "tip". Leave it in cash as there is most likely no where to add it to the chit.
Mar 6, 2009, 5:21 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 250
That was my hunch, but I wanted to make sure. I think part of my confusion came from reading reviews of the French Laundry that say "meal came to XXX after tax and tip". If I end up dining in one of the best restaurants in the world the last thing I want to do is make an ... of myself.
Mar 6, 2009, 10:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Right here
Posts: 2,940
Being an American (where there are tip jars at McDonald's) and being raised by my mother to never leave less than 15% for table service no matter how bad the service is, I would just feel a little awkward being waited on by 5-6 staff for 3+ hours and just signing the check.
In response to your query, if a US-based restaurant says service is included, I'd have zero qualms about leaving no extra tip.
Mar 7, 2009, 4:56 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA MM, MB LifeTit
Posts: 1,834
Please, let's not start another round of tipping obligations, because that's exactly what we're going to get if people show a willingness to tip on top "service included."
As for France, please look around at what the locals do. They rarely leave anything.
As for France, please look around at what the locals do. They rarely leave anything.