A welcomed change on the restaurant scene in Aruba

[Glenn]

Good afternoon,

During our recent (October 13-19, 2019) vacation we noticed a change in restaurant billing practices in Aruba, and I think one which Canadian and American visitors are happy about.

The restaurants we visited have moved away from adding a service charge onto the food an drink. They will often verbally remind you of that at the able. Of course the tip suggestions are printed at the bottom of the bill as they do at home so not a problem for us.

This is a welcomed change.


Glenn

[WaltVB]

Glenn, it's nice to hear this. I have avoided restaurants that applied the service charges in the past, mainly on principle. Maybe I can go back to a couple of them now. Can you list the ones you visited that had removed the charges?

[schexc]

We ate at Ricardo's tonight and they added the 15% automatically. It is clearly spelled out at the bottom of their menu.

Good afternoon,

During our recent (October 13-19, 2019) vacation we noticed a change in restaurant billing practices in Aruba, and I think one which Canadian and American visitors are happy about.

The restaurants we visited have moved away from adding a service charge onto the food an drink. They will often verbally remind you of that at the able. Of course the tip suggestions are printed at the bottom of the bill as they do at home so not a problem for us.

This is a welcomed change.


Glenn

[Aruba4ever]

I hate the automatic tip/service charge pending on who is describing it...It has kept me away from spots like Walt mentioned. I am also someone who tips 20 percent for a regular tip so I am not trying cheap out...I just hate the business practice.

[Glenn]

Glenn, it's nice to hear this. I have avoided restaurants that applied the service charges in the past, mainly on principle. Maybe I can go back to a couple of them now. Can you list the ones you visited that had removed the charges?

Hi Walt and others,

We ate at BINGO 2x, Linda's Pancakes 2x, Mulligan's, The Chophouse at Manchebo, Bavaria, Lucky Luciano's, De Zuikertuin, We R Cuba, Taste of Belgium. No s/c at any of those.

Here's an odd bit, but it does hook in with tipping. In October, BINGO was celebrating their 15th anniversary and was giving their customers 15% off as a thank you. It was clearly visible on the bill and we were reminded of that at the table. A gentle hint to mentally add back the 15% discount before calculating the tip, which we did. Fair is fair.


Glenn

[WaltVB]

Thanks Glenn, and that's a solid restaurant list.

[~Amy~®]

I have been going to Bingo since they opened around 2004/2005 and they have never had a service charge. Plus - the food is great and not over priced. It still remains one of our favorites!

I was just there on Friday night and will be back again during this trip.

[cpjones]

Hi Walt and others,

We ate at BINGO 2x, Linda's Pancakes 2x, Mulligan's, The Chophouse at Manchebo, Bavaria, Lucky Luciano's, De Zuikertuin, We R Cuba, Taste of Belgium. No s/c at any of those.

Here's an odd bit, but it does hook in with tipping. In October, BINGO was celebrating their 15th anniversary and was giving their customers 15% off as a thank you. It was clearly visible on the bill and we were reminded of that at the table. A gentle hint to mentally add back the 15% discount before calculating the tip, which we did. Fair is fair.


Glenn

I was almost certain that the Chophouse added the service charge...... unless that's recently changed. I know that Ike's and Pega Pega absolutely charged it. I know that from all my bar bills and trying to figure the appropriate tip beyond the service charge!

[Glenn]

I was almost certain that the Chophouse added the service charge...... unless that's recently changed. I know that Ike's and Pega Pega absolutely charged it. I know that from all my bar bills and trying to figure the appropriate tip beyond the service charge!

Thinking back, you may be right. The Chophouse may have had a s/c added to the bill. If it did, and I said otherwise, sorry about that. Still a super dinner on Mondays though. (Lobster Night.)

[schexc]

We plan on going there for lobster night tomorrow. We'll chime back in...

Thinking back, you may be right. The Chophouse may have had a s/c added to the bill. If it did, and I said otherwise, sorry about that. Still a super dinner on Mondays though. (Lobster Night.)