Still it's not the scam that passes for wage in the US (especially considering cost of living and other expenses). And Paris can be anything, from expensive neighborhoods to project suburbs.

That isn't the customers problem though nor should it be.

If you're paying a relatively high hourly wage to all of the staff, it seems unsurprising that you'd not want to be open during times of low customer traffic.

Honestly, this seems good overall; there's no more sense in having low-paid waitstaff hanging around hoping to get a customer table that will tip than in having a restaurant owner keep the restaurant open while paying the staff a reasonable hourly wage.

> leave the change from l'addition

Yes, that is the basic tip if you expect to come back to that restaurant and get an upgraded welcome.

But even with no tip, being a regular counts - tip or no tip, you are good business and worth cultivating.