oofa

Holy guacamole! If tipping customs in France are so complicated, I can't imagine what it's like trying to get a driver's license. <BR>By the way, has anyone figured out the point of that knucklehead post about the US being a beggar nation? That was really weird.

Elizabeth

Just curious: does anyone else recall a post that appeared w/in the last few weeks on the US board, a story about someone going to a restaurant in the US someplace, having a meal, seeing a service charge on the menu, leaving a small or no tip, and being chased into the parking lot, or something like that? <BR> <BR> The thread was deleted, probably because of the restaurant being named, someone faxing the thread to the restaurant, etc. Anyhow, pretty much the same story. <BR> <BR> But anyhow, in the hypothetical actual case, somebody yelling at you and throwing something at you is 100% inexcusable, period. Pure abuse. Provocation DOES NOT MATTER.

x

stop this insanity.the treaty of versailles was debated less. the waitress behaved badly. the patron over-reacted.let's move on.

clairobscur

Mimi, <BR> <BR>No, I didn't know that. Is it a good one?

Mavis

Thanks clairoscur for your help. Always puzzling to me why people complain about this or any other thread continuing and yet they still feel compelled to read it - and then post something! Human behaviour is infinitely fascinating.

kate

This reminds me of the first time my husband and I were in Paris.We stopped at a little cafe, sat outside and had salad and pate and wine. When we left my husband left a tip and said goodby,the waiter took the tip and said goodby.As we were walking down the street, my husband stopped and said-I gave him the wrong amount of money for a tip-too little~and we walked,quickly back-When the waiter saw us-he smiled and said hello~My husband then gave him the correct tip and the waiter shook his hand and wished us a good day-Maybe we have always been lucky, but we have never had a bad experience with waiters in other countries, or salespeople--Moral of my story people are the same all over the world, there are nice ones and rude ones. Tipping isn't that difficult to figure out, and should be done with the same spirit as it is done at home- <BR>

Jack

I have not been on this site in a while, so this is a bit amusing, all this to-do about how to interpret behaviors. Of course she was insulted when they left centimes in St Remy! (And, St Remy is not exactly a downscale locale, mind you, in fact quite the contrary) <BR> <BR>The rule here for the Yanks, and for those non tipping Europeans in the US as well(which is why in South Beach, they automatically add the tip), is to "get with the program" and know the customs - regardless of where you are from. When in Rome.......... <BR> <BR>Otherwise, stay at home.

Julie

Leave the poor guy alone. He had a horrible experience which no doubt was a large blot on an otherwise enjoyable trip. He left her a very decent tip that included some small change, he didn’t kick her in the teeth, for goodness’ sake. If he was rude without realising it, that certainly doesn’t justify her terrible rudeness in return. <BR> <BR>I agree heartily with Winston’s comments. A sizeable minority of people working in the French tourist trade take sadistic pleasure in treating tourists with contempt. I live in Cambridge now but my grandparents are French and I’ve spent a lot of time travelling in that country. We had our worst holiday experience ever in Provence last summer – the most incredibly arrogant service in one hotel with not even a please or thank you, SERIOUSLY, and this was at what was supposedly one of the best hotels in Arles. And we also had some really bad service at a couple of restaurants. We left early because we were so fed up with it. I have had bad service in England too, but France is in another league. <BR> <BR>I do not agree that one has to “educate” oneself about other countries’ customs to the extent of knowing whether the leaving of centimes is seen as quaint, insulting or is likely to bring on an allergic reaction or epileptic fit in the “leftee”. As A Bit Confused pointed out, one of the reasons people travel is to learn about the customs of different countries. Civility should be a universal thing. Why should the French be allowed to get away with it if no one else does? <BR> <BR>I generally leave a 10-20% tip, but I absolutely refuse to pay more unless I’ve had an outstanding experience, and I reserve my right to pay none at all, if I feel that service has been poor. <BR> <BR>Some of your self-satisfied statements make me so angry. Why should anyone have the right to be rude or sarcastic with me or chase me anywhere, if for whatever reason they’re not happy with what I tip them? <BR> <BR>This waitress’ behaviour was outrageous, and the restaurant behaved badly in defending her. But I’m sad to say that this typifies much service in France, especially in the south. <BR> <BR>Chasers and throwers of coins in the “service” industry would do well to dwell on the meaning of that word “service”. The customer IS always right. <BR> <BR>Thank you for the health warning, William. I certainly won’t be frequenting this restaurant either. <BR> <BR>Real Gourmet, you are to die for. <BR> <BR>Julie

Capo

Overall, great comments, Julie. While I personally haven't experienced any overly rude people in the service industry in France, I also doubt don't that other people have. <BR> <BR>Re: "Chasers and throwers of coins in the 'service industry would do well to dwell on the meaning of that word 'service'. The customer IS always right." <BR> <BR>That reminds me of a comment that writer Adam Gopnik made when I saw him speak about a year ago at the Northwest Bookfest, while promoting his book <I>Paris to the Moon</I>. Someone had asked him about the service industry in France and, although I can't recall his <I>exact</I> words, he said something like, "If there's one 'vice' the French do not have, it's obsequiousness."

never

I always visited this site but business and family has taken me away. Now I am back but after this comment, I'm out of here. These posters who don't give their names who insult St.Remy(my second home) all on the basis of the main poster who should have the owner explain her rude behavior. I see the decent posters are not around these days.

wanderer

i agree with peter rabbit and jack. if people were not so lazy and would educate themselves as to local customs, these problems would not arise. you cannot claim ignorance of the fact as a defense-it olny makesa you look like more of a fool

Vita

Sorry. I'm not familiar with French currency. William mentioned that he was trying to "round out" the bill. When I round out a bill, it involves rounding up to avoid leaving change. Did William round up which caused a difference in 12 francs? Or did he actually leave change? <BR> <BR>In any case, I think it's important to try your best to understand other customs, but there's a lot to keep straight and honest mistakes can be made. It seems to me the waitress should have given him the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure it's not the first time she's seen a tourist.

Rebecca

I'm off to St. Remy in mid December and am looking forward to meeting the spunky waitress at the Mistral Gournamd. William Weber has made her famous among travelers. <BR> Thanks Willy!!

mimi taylor

me too, reminds me of the old waitresses that used to work here in Boston at Durgin Park. I'll feel quite at home, thanks you and I think alike, Rebecca

qiu

The customer is always right. People go to a good r'rant not only for the food but for the atmosphere and the service. A bad waitress gives the r'rant a bad name. <BR> <BR>The waitress at Gourmand should have "judged" William by his behaviour throughout the meal, not only by the inadvertent blunder of a tip he made. Was Wiliam rude, demanding, unreasonable? And even if he were so, a wait staff should never, ever treat a customer badly. William was right in giving his views here at a travel forum. Those who disagree with William can still visit the r'rant. <BR> <BR>Any service establishment who gives bad sevice doesn't warrant a visit.

anon

The customer "may always be right" but in the process is over demanding, hyper-sensitve, rude, pompous, crass, sloven, sloppy, messy, loud, obnoxious....need I go on? Yes, some waiters are pompous, rude, mean, nasty...need I go on? Some people see it as their right to make another person's life difficult - sometimes they can't be avoided. When confronted with such person - stand up to them. I took real pleasure one night seeing a manager escort an obnoxious customer out of a restaurant here in NYC - his friends were mortified. Remember - just because you're paying doesn't mean you can do or say anything you feel like.

Bill

Mimi mentioned Boston's Durgin Park, and it brought back memories. Went there as a young teenager with my family, and my Dad had warned us that the servers had a tradition of gruffness. We saw a bit of it, but it it was not at all mean-spirited; just part of the old-fashioned atmosphere of the place. I think customers would be disappointed if the server were NOT gruff. Kind of like a New York deli, where it's mostly for show, and there's a certain amount of sport in giving back as good as you get. <BR> <BR>On the other hand, if you're at a pleasant restaurant and you aren't expecting an "attitude", it's no fun at all to be blind-sided by it.