Restaurants Caught Overcharging Customers by $10: “It’s Exploitation!”

At the dining table, not all customers experience the same treatment. In some Parisian eateries, especially those in tourist-heavy districts, foreign visitors often receive a unique kind of service. The strategy is subtle, almost undetectable. To better understand this approach, a journalist from Le Parisien, along with a partner, visited various locales in Montmartre. One posed as an American tourist and the other as a French vacationer. Interestingly, for identical meals, the bills presented to them were quite different…

In many establishments, servers encouraged the pretend American tourist to leave a tip. He agreed to add 10%, but when it came time to pay, the server discreetly increased the amount to 15% by placing the card himself on the payment terminal. In another café, a server even told him that “service is not included”, despite it being mandatory to include this on the bill. According to Franck Trouet, director of the French Hospitality and Catering Group (GHR), such practices are akin to “forced selling”.

More often than not, the real difference comes with the drinks! Servers engage in what is known as “suggestive selling”: they offer still or sparkling water without mentioning that tap water is free. As a result, tourists end up paying an extra 6 euros for a simple bottle. Soft drinks can also be a trap: the French customer receives a 33 cl can, while the tourist is served a large pre-filled glass, costing an additional 3.50 euros. In just a few sips, the bill rises by nearly 10 euros. “It’s outright robbery! To me, it’s exploitation of vulnerability,” laments one of the investigators.

This scenario is not uncommon. While most American visitors are aware that tipping is optional in France, many are unaware that tap water is free. This cultural misunderstanding provides a perfect opportunity to inflate the bill. Of course, not all establishments engage in such practices. However, to avoid any unpleasant surprises, it’s wise to adopt a few simple habits: always verify the tip amount before confirming payment, and specifically ask for “a carafe of water” or “tap water”.