I know that this translates to "net price", but does anyone know what it really means on a restaurant menu/bill when it comes to paying the check, vis-a-vis VAT/tip? It's time to watch every euro (fly out of our wallets) when we Americans are abroad, so I'd like to understand. Kerouac, are you out there tonight? Thanks for your help. EJ

That's the total you pay--tip optional.

Oops, (sorry to disturb) kerouac and everyone else in Paris should currently be sleeping! Anyway, this post might sound like a foolish question, but I haven't been able to get a straight answer on it yet. If it's always "service compris", then why does it say "prix net"? Merci beaucoup, EJ.

Thanks, Ron. Looks like we posted at the same time. A simple answer to a simple question - many thanks.

Some restaurants use one phrase, others another...but both mean the same thing, no matter what your waiter might tell you. You do not need to tip unless you have had exceptional service. However, it's usual to leave small change from the bill at a café.

I don't understand your question, why does it say that. That's just the term that's used to indicate the final price in France that you are to pay, it means that VAT taxes and service are included. It's just an accounting term.

HI E,

>If it's always "service compris", then why does it say "prix net"?

SC means that a 15% service charge is included.

PN means that the SC and the VAT are included.

In both cases (service compris or prix net), it is the total price that you pay, including VAT and service, posted outside as required by law with no hidden charges.

Speaking of hidden charges, you will find some every now and then -- they are not hidden; they are just hard to see, like (in a corner at the bottom) "beverages +2€ after 22h".

You poor Americans (1€=$1.41 today), please forget some of your tipping generosity in these troubled (for you) times. Even waiters pay attention to what the exchange rate is, so if they see Americans tipping less than usual, they will understand. They may not even try to get you to order the bottle of mineral water when all you want is a carafe.

Let's forget about this myth of a 15% service charge. The service charge can be anything from 0% to 15% (maybe even more) -- Chinese restaurant receipts are often marked 'service gratuit'. In any case, the waiters will be paid, and tipping will always be optional. "Service" is just some sort of accounting method (I almost typed 'gimmick') used for taxation purposes. The restauranteur does not pay the same charges on food, alcohol or service. I presume that the 'service' amount is applied with reduced or lower taxes to the salary charges. This would explain why a lot of ethnic restaurants don't use it -- they have no salaried employees and only family members working there (ha ha).

Next time any of you go to Léon de Bruxelles, you will see, for example, that it is marked "service 14%" on the receipt -- not 15%.

Merci beaucoup to one and all. Ask a question - get an answer, that's the beauty of this forum. In this case, several answers. My thanks to everyone again. EJ