I don’t know if it’s my accent. It’s certainly not my level of French, but it appears that the credit card payment systems are all requesting an extra 10-30% tip everywhere I eat and drink now. They must be making a killing off the Americans. Today, I asked if the tip request was indicating that the restaurant did not include service already. The server tried to lie about it spouting a mish mash of how France is not like America where « tips are obligatory » and various other conneries. A manager came over and fessed’ up. This appears to be the way forward in Paris. I’m not sure French people are going to put up with it, or move on from the traditional tipping customs in Paris.
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May I ask exactly what he fessed up to? A complete con? Something that’s only tried on with foreigners? Or what?
It was pre-Covid when I was last in Northern France but have never seen a tip prompt on the card machine.
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The waiter indicated that service was not compris in the bill. The manager corrected this obvious con. The manager was honest and said that the « tip » is only for something extra if you feel so inclined.
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I called out the owner of a German restaurant for adding the “tip not included” line on the bill for my fellow diners from the US, whereas my bill had no such prompt.
Imagine trying to pull that stunt at the same table. The gall!
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Have to say, I don’t believe the manager for a moment. Just seems like a blatant attempt to con foreigners into effectively double tipping. It’s like the small minority of places in the UK that add a service charge - but then leave a tip line open on the bill or have the tip prompt on the machine. It’s working to an assumption that many foreign tourists will not understand what a service charge is or that service is compris - but do know what a tip is. It is, IMO, always disreputable.
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Two different things: Service is always included in the bill in France, tip (pourboire) is entirely optional and should always be in cash (and certainly not added to the credit card) if you feel like leaving something extra to the staff - or if you intend to return to the restaurant :o)
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I wonder if Google Translate camera function would be precise enough for a non native speaker to figure it out. I did not use Translate on the bills when I traveled in Europe, only on the non-English menus and Specials boards.
I may need to change that habit.
Well, you wouldn’t need it since the bill for Anglophones is printed in English 
The German bill just doesn’t include that line.
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Monchique - Some of the “problem” is that a lot of diners assume that the “Service Compris” on the bill is the same as tipping the waiter. It isn’t and, in fact, it may go to an array of owner costs, possibly including waitstaff salaries. At home in the U.S., waitstaff have historically not been covered by minimum wage laws and tips directly to them are a way for a diner to help them earn a living wage. Historically in Paris (& other European places) the understanding has been that waitstaff are adequately compensated for their work alongside all other employees. I say “historically” because the world is getting more homogenized and at least one of the waitstaff we had this past May (in a very reputable place – I won’t name this one) happened to be a visiting student in Paris who is from New Jersey (not a career waitress) and she spent a little time talking with me about her actual wage (I asked), which was more like what she’d get in NYC than a livable one. I’m not sure how legal that was but I am sure about her honesty. Most other places still had waitstaff that seemed to be long time professionals and, I assume, receiving a better wage.
During this stay in Paris a couple of months ago, of the 20+ restaurants we frequented, we were presented a bill on the handheld device that asked how much tip we’d like to leave (with several % choices) at 3 of them. The first time this happened (at Le Chardenoux, a longstanding place, part of Cyril Lignac’s group , & a place we’d been before on previous stays), I was pretty annoyed but we were with friends and I just checked off 10%. The next 2 times, at other places, I checked “no tip” and told the server that I preferred to leave something in cash instead. Totally accepted.
The problem with this new payment system, as I see it, was/is that nowhere on that screen did it indicate that this “tip” would go to our server(s) & I wouldn’t be sure that it does. Secondly, it just reinforces the idea that some tip is needed, a concept that is still not shared by all. Add to that, my skepticism that these credit card bills presented to a table may be different for different tables (managers may well have the option of what type of bill is presented?? Just my jaded outlook?). Of course, many patrons like adding the tip to the credit card bill as it increases our mileage perks, while cash tips do not. I’ll continue to check off “no tip” & put some euros on the table (usually 10%, more than my local friends give, but less than some other American tourist friends give).
Seem reasonably on point to you? I always appreciate hearing feedback on this topic. thanks.
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Yes, you are correct. Don’t ever tip on a card: 1st the card company will take its cut and then the tax man will too… So if you wish to tip, do it in cash! I did not realize you could get air miles on tipping on a credit card :o) Tip is always welcome in France, but always optional.
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the issue is very very old.
back in the '60’s - had a classmate that worked a coffee/pastry shop in Salzburg. he was always a welcome hire - his English was excellent and Salzburg has a lot of tourists . . .
this was pre-credit card rage . . . he relates ‘making a bundle’ because Americans did not understand ‘service included’ and usually added a healthy cash tip.
back in the pre-computer-everything days, waitstaff got a charge ticket stuck on their peg for everything they took out of the kitchen. at the end of their shift, they had to pay for all their tickets, anything left in their money pouch was theirs to keep, plus - of course - a decent wage.
things have changed in the last 60 years . . .
FYI, Nessia had the tip line last night. We were two Americans. I forgot to warn my friend who paid. My fault. …
it’s not just France. I was at Lulu in LA today and the include an 18% service charge but alo had a tip line.
I think French restaurant owners or staff knows how generous US customers in tipping, plus some of the tourists ignorant of “service compris” in the French bill. Too bad, I always thought FR people are honest here, but it seems some are getting greedy, (LOL Cyril Lignac as well!) Looks like tourists need to be more alert and check the bill before paying.
The extra air miles/points come from the total bill, not the tip. The higher the bill the more points one accumulates.
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Some of this is due to software programs. The tip option is part of the program and should be ignored. It is when a member of the waitstaff asks for a tip that it becomes annoying and suspect. Nobody appreciates being hustled.
I agree with others who suggest that in those countries where service is included a cash tip should be left on the table to reward exceptional service. It should never go on a credit card.
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Needed or Wanted?
Is that so they don’t have to pay tax? Why shouldn’t they? Most people do.
I agree. Income is income, whether coming from wages, tips, service charge, etc.
Interestingly (and without really wishing to cross our “no politics” rule), I’ve read in recent days that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both support a “no tax on tips” position - currently tips are taxable, as you’d expect.
Yes I had read about that, it does seem strange that other industries would be happy to accept it.
Mind you, many, many years ago I had a testimonial year (sport) and didn’t have to pax any taxes on the monies received. That loophole has been removed now, since many a year.
