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10/08/2007, 23:37 Richard J. Joined on 10/08/2007 Paris Posts 3 "service non compris" After a good lunch in a Paris restaurant this week, I was surprised to notice afterwards that the bill said "service non compris".  I had understood for some years that service was included by law, in Paris if not in the whole of France.  I certainly didn't see anything on the menu to indicate that prices were exclusive of service.  Could a restaurant owner please clarify the legal position?    Report

11/08/2007, 18:36 Jura Joined on 28/11/2005 Posts 714 Re: "service non compris" Yes, but what were the prices you paid?. Was it through the nose?    Report

14/08/2007, 22:16 Jane and Danny Joined on 23/08/2004 near Cahors, 46 Posts 700 Re: "service non compris" Hello Richard J, Unlike Wen I am not a restaurant owner but I did find these on line and it might be slightly more useful than her response- Tips, known as Service, are usually included in the listed prices or automatically added to your total.  For example, Service 15% or Service Compris 15% means 15% has already been added into the listed prices.  Service Non-Compris 15% means that 15% will be added to your total.  It is customary to leave a small tip in addition to this added service charge, maybe a Euro per person or couple, but not nearly the amount one would leave in the States. or TIPPING IN FRANCE : Almost all restaurant include tax and a 15%service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving another 1.50€ (or 2-3%) is customary, as is leaving the waiter the small change from your bill if you pay in cash. If service is not included (service non compris) a 15% tip is appropriate   Which seems to imply to me that yes, you pay the 15 percent on top of the written total, as expected, and a little bit extra if you want to.   Legally, I don't know where you stand if you don't wish to pay the 15 percent, so maybe someone in the know can help you out with that one.   Jane ps I'm not implying you are from the USA, it's just an example I found on the web.     specialist flute repair    Report

14/08/2007, 23:33 LEO Joined on 15/04/2006 Calvados,14 Posts 976 Re: "service non compris"  Jane and Danny wrote: Hello Richard J, Unlike Wen I am not a restaurant owner but I did find these on line and it might be slightly more useful than her response- Tips, known as Service, are usually included in the listed prices or automatically added to your total.  For example, Service 15% or Service Compris 15% means 15% has already been added into the listed prices.  Service Non-Compris 15% means that 15% will be added to your total.  It is customary to leave a small tip in addition to this added service charge, maybe a Euro per person or couple, but not nearly the amount one would leave in the States. or TIPPING IN FRANCE : Almost all restaurant include tax and a 15%service charge (service compris) in their prices. If a meal or service has been particularly good, leaving another 1.50€ (or 2-3%) is customary, as is leaving the waiter the small change from your bill if you pay in cash. If service is not included (service non compris) a 15% tip is appropriate   Which seems to imply to me that yes, you pay the 15 percent on top of the written total, as expected, and a little bit extra if you want to.   Legally, I don't know where you stand if you don't wish to pay the 15 percent, so maybe someone in the know can help you out with that one.   Jane ps I'm not implying you are from the USA, it's just an example I found on the web.     Hi Jane,at least you have made an effort to answer the O.P. Kind regards, Leo   Leo. www.vianormandy.com ( I owe , I owe , so it's off to work I go! )    Report

15/08/2007, 4:13 Beryl Joined on 01/01/2006 Posts 816 Re: "service non compris" According the brilliant moneysavingexpert site, in the UK  if a service charge has been included and the service then turns out to be less than satisfactory, you are within your rights to withold 10 -15 percent. It does unfortunately add that the restaurant staff may threaten to call the police however    Report

16/08/2007, 0:55 Richard J. Joined on 10/08/2007 Paris Posts 3 Re: "service non compris"  wen wrote: Yes, but what were the prices you paid?. Was it through the nose? Not sure what that has to do with it.  The bill came to 77€ for lunch for the two of us, good value for the quality of food, wine and service.  I glanced at the total, saw that it was as expected, and paid by Carte Bleue in the usual way, leaving a small cash tip.  It was only after we had walked back home that I saw that the bill said "service non compris" underneath the line that said "Total 77.00 €". I'm aware of what is "usual", but I wanted a definitive view on the legal situation.  The Time Out guide Paris:Eating & Drinking says "Prices on restaurant menus must by law include a 12-15 per cent service charge".  Is that right?    Report

16/08/2007, 8:50 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 6,247 Re: "service non compris" The definitive answer? Le pourboire Le pourboire est une certaine somme d'argent remise par le client à titre de récompense à une travailleur salarié. Même s'il reste traditionnel dans certains corps de métiers (garçons de café, ouvreuse de cinéma, pompiste …), il est toujours facultatif et laissé à l'appréciation du client. Aucune profession ne peut l'exiger. Le service Le service est un pourcentage perçu sur l'addition ou le prix. Il doit être inclus obligatoirement dans le montant de la note ou de la facture. Les prix affichés doivent être ceux à payer effectivement par le client (donc service inclus). Dans les restaurants ou débits de boissons où il est perçu un service, tous les documents (tarifs, menus...) doivent comporter la mention : " prix service compris ", suivie du pourcentage appliqué. Direction départementale de la concurrence,De la consommation et de la répression des fraudes Clair, a Real Virtual French Person La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)    Report

17/08/2007, 21:31 Richard J. Joined on 10/08/2007 Paris Posts 3 Re: "service non compris"  Clair wrote: Le service ...  doit être inclus obligatoirement dans le montant de la note ou de la facture. ... Dans les restaurants ou débits de boissons où il est perçu un service, tous les documents (tarifs, menus...) doivent comporter la mention : " prix service compris ", suivie du pourcentage appliqué. Thanks, Clair.  That seems clear enough.  I can only assume that there was some finger trouble at the till which produced the offending "service non compris" on the bill.     Report

20/08/2007, 16:17 maureen Joined on 06/03/2006 Dordogne Posts 67 Re: "service non compris" As a general rule of thumb, if you take a "menu", the service is always included. ( TTC ).  If you eat à la carte, service is not included, and left to your discretion. Nobody 'tells' me what I must leave. maureen.    Report

27/04/2008, 22:31 oscar Joined on 28/02/2008 Posts 38 Re: "service non compris"  maureen wrote: As a general rule of thumb, if you take a "menu", the service is always included. ( TTC ).  If you eat à la carte, service is not included, and left to your discretion. Nobody 'tells' me what I must leave. I agree with you Maureen, it really p***es me off when I'm told that I WILL pay 12-15% service charge.. nevertheless I inevitably leave a tip in addition (in cash) because I have never been convinced when the service is included and therefore paid, often by credit card, that the waiter or waitress gets the money destined for them. I've never known a restaurant where they have been offended by being left a tip as well as the service charge though.    Report

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