Tipping at restaurants?

[Lorenzoid]

I worked in food service once in Bonaire and learned, it's always good to tip cash. If you do not, some establishments deduct a fee from the tip due to CC transactions. Also, if you are from the US, please tip as you would back home. Folks rely on these tips. As do dive masters, taxis, housekeepers, windsurf instructors and valets/concierges.

Do you have any estimate of what percentage of visitors are from the US and what percentage from Europe, particularly the Netherlands? There is no way someone from the Netherlands is going to leave a tip. (I don't mean to pick on the Dutch. Although Bonaire sees lots of Dutch visitors, due to the island's status, there are plenty of visitors from other European countries that have no tipping culture. A Belgian isn't going to tip, either.) When my wife and I are sitting in a restaurant, and the Dutch couple next to us leaves no tip, are we Americans expected to subsidize the server because others do not tip?

The service charge resolves this whole quandary of tipping in international tourist locations where not everyone is American, and I would hope most establishments see the benefit.

 

[scubadada]

Tipping can be a tough topic. I lived in Switzerland for 2 years and traveled extensively in Europe and surrounding countries.

In Switzerland, all, or nearly all workers are paid a living wage, prices are higher because of that. No tip is expected in restaurants, we left a modest tip in cash if the service was excellent, above what would be expected. I really don't know how many other countries pay workers this way (Netherlands, Belgium?...). In many instances, a service charge was added to the check and, again, no tip was expected. We would leave a modest cash tip in this case also, if the service was exemplary. And then, of course are all the countries where workers are not paid well and and tipping is pivotal in total compensation.

Information, such as that provided by @giffenk is often very useful to appropriately manage expectations.

 

[bula2]

I worked in food service once in Bonaire and learned, it's always good to tip cash. If you do not, some establishments deduct a fee from the tip due to CC transactions. Also, if you are from the US, please tip as you would back home. Folks rely on these tips. As do dive masters, taxis, housekeepers, windsurf instructors and valets/concierges.

Wow, that is good to know as it pertains to restaurants! We usually generously trip, but typically include it with the meal charge! Thanks for giving a heads up!

 

[Doctorfish]

Can't believe that North Americans might be so averse to tipping wait staff on Bonaire, regardless of what you think the Dutch or Belgians might do or not do.

Food service worker are underpaid throughout the Caribbean and providing a decent tip is only fair.
I personally tip 15% for average service and 20% for good or excellent.

 

[KeithG]

Can't believe that North Americans might be so averse to tipping wait staff on Bonaire, regardless of what you think the Dutch or Belgians might do or not do.

Food service worker are underpaid throughout the Caribbean and providing a decent tip is only fair.
I personally tip 15% for average service and 20% for good or excellent.

You should always do what you think best, but be aware that your bill may already have a 10% service charge included. Are you blindly tipping on top of the tip?

 

[scubadada]

You should always do what you think best, but be aware that your bill may already have a 10% service charge included. Are you blindly tipping on top of the tip?

or 15%

 

[KeithG]

or 15%

Agreed. My divebuddy used to blindly add a tip to every restaraunt bill. Until she hit one that had no mechanism to provide a tip. When questioned, the server politely said "your mandatory service charge has already been included in your bill. We do not need tips". When she re-examined some receipts it seems she had been tipping on top of the service charge. Stupid tourist!

 

[CaptainCalamari]

I think you Americans are getting ripped off with this tipping scam.

Why do I pay the same or often more for meal in a restaurant in the US than I do for the same in Australia. Yet you then have to add 20% tip in the US. Yet our wait staff are paid a "living wage" and provide the same level of service, yet your staff aren't.

And I would say at a drop, the restaurant scene in Australia is a lot more vibrant and competitive than the US. Within 2 miles of my house, I would have a choice of at least 40 restaurants and I'm in the burbs.

And not a service charge in sight!

 

[wgw04024]

I would prefer in an ideal world, to not have to deal with tips.

 

[noj3333]

I think you Americans are getting ripped off with this tipping scam.

Why do I pay the same or often more for meal in a restaurant in the US than I do for the same in Australia. Yet you then have to add 20% tip in the US. Yet our wait staff are paid a "living wage" and provide the same level of service, yet your staff aren't.

And I would say at a drop, the restaurant scene in Australia is a lot more vibrant and competitive than the US. Within 2 miles of my house, I would have a choice of at least 40 restaurants and I'm in the burbs.

And not a service charge in sight!

Just out of curiosity, what parts of the USA have you been to?