Pourboire?

Here in Paris, servers and hosts/hostesses work on salary, not on hourly wages, meaning customers do not leave tip on the table like we do in America.

When I learned that, I thought it would be sooo awesome because then of course, I wouldn't have to tip like we do in America. The only thing is, when you ask for the check (l'addition, s'il vous plait), tip is already included and factored into the meals' prices.

And of course with a tip already included, any sense of customer service goes flying out the window.

I forget how fortunate I am that restaurants in America are actually really concerned about their servers' customer service, people skills, etc. I know at Chili's you even have to pass a personality test to even be considered for hire! And it all makes sense. I've had the WORST customer service here in Paris over the last few weeks than I have in my entire life. Haha. Maybe someone instituted tipping in America cuz they came to France... Haha, just kidding.

But really, here in Paris you could wait 30 minutes before someone even asking for your order. If your waiter hates his job, he will NOT hesitate to show you. You could sit another 30 minutes for a carafe d'eau (pitcher of water), even if yours has been empty for a while and your server just doesn't want to acknowledge you. Haha. It's so awful but it is what it is. I end up involuntarily tipping (probably very generously with food prices so high) many waiters/waitresses who have let their rudeness really shine, only because it is already included.

Sigh. Makes me appreciate American customer service (which is not even the best!) soo muuuch more.

Of course there have been a few servers who have really left their impression on me. One of my first weeks here, my friend and I went to a restaurant where the waitress knew absolutely zero English, and at the time I knew little to no French. The communication barrier was soooo difficult to break through, but from both sides we both tried very very hard to understand each other. I knew she was getting frustrated but she didn't let it show. In the end we got some awesome food and she was able to show me that some French really ARE nice and that not all French are rude..

Also, my friends and I went to a restaurant last night and got some awesome customer service from a very busy waiter who still put in the time to throw in some jokes. Just when I was starting to think that all French had no sense of humor, this waiter came and changed my mind. It's extreeeeeemely rare to find a waiter who will really take time to make you smile.

Anyway, apparently when French receive exceptional customer service, they leave a little tip called a "pourboire." This is left on top of the already-included tip, and on top of the check. It usually is only 1euro-2euro max, and it literally translates to "for a drink." Basically you're giving this server money so he/she could buy a drink after work! Giving money for a drink. I think that's an awesome concept.

The rude customer service, however, is not cool. I miss American hospitality. I'm spoiled with being an American and frankly I absolutely loooove it. (: