Restaurants/Service Charges

[mgenestra]

Hello. My trip is finally approaching in 26 days and I had a question about eating out. I've noticed by looking at different menu's, a lot of restaurants have service charges between 15%-17%. Is this the tip there including in the meal? I'm trying to figure spending money out for food and activities.
Help.
Melissa

[Sunny Beaches]

Yes, good service, food adding a little more is up to you. Some of the time this is only for 6 or more(?). Ask before you order, or it should say it on the menu.

[islandj]

The service charge is money that goes into a "pool" that is split up between all the servers, busers, and others in the resturant. If you want to leave extra tip that will go straight to the person who is serving you it will not go to the "pool" to be split up. We always leave extra if the server is great.

[Andrea J.]

http://www.aruba.com/forum/search.php?searchid=380873

reading all of the "input" about tipping/and service charges will make you blurry eyed.

that being said, here are a bunch of threads all regarding tipping.

what do dear husband and i do?
if there is a service charge already added on...........we tip an additional 7 or 8% if service is fair or good. if great, it is about 10% more. lousy......0

if no service charge added on we typically tip 20%.

[Chef Kasi]

http://www.aruba.com/forum/search.php?searchid=380873

reading all of the "input" about tipping/and service charges will make you blurry eyed.

that being said, here are a bunch of threads all regarding tipping.

what do dear husband and i do?
if there is a service charge already added on...........we tip an additional 7 or 8% if service is fair or good. if great, it is about 10% more. lousy......0

if no service charge added on we typically tip 20%.

Service Charge is Modern Rip Off in my Opinion !!!!!

[joeytruck]

thanks chef! it's nice to hear someone being honest!

[Jarubian]

I agree with the Chef. Why have someone worry about the service charge, and if that person does a great job he gets that or more depending on the client, if they do a lousy job, why should we leave it anyway since its part of the bill.

Take the service fees away and just let people tip like they are used to.

[mattnewhampshire]

Here's what I did in September. If they put the charge on it I didn't add any additional tip unless the service was outstanding, then I gave the server him/herself the extra 5% cash so they'd get all of it.
If there wasn't a service charge I tipped like I do at home, good service 15%, great service 20% and I always do it in cash and hand it right to the server.

[Arubalisa]

I do not think Andrea's link is working

In regards to tipping

Can someone help me on what is the proper tipping amount

15% service charge or not the mother of all service charge threads