Praise to the Blog! Hey you guys :o)
It looks like you are having an amazing trip. I love the way your blog is written and I bet you're going to have fun reading and remembering the million cool things you did in the states. Looking forward to seeing your Yosemite and LA pics!
Big hugs,
K
Cultural differences eh? Y'uns jus wait till ya get down south! With a Sammich, Coke, and some fried taters in a poke I will learns y'uns about da South and the War of Northern Aggression!
Ok that was a bit over the top but you will see the difference once you get down here to Tennessee!
Miss you already! Hello ladies, I'm back in dreary and snowy (ugh) Ohio after my wonderful trip. The friendly folks at United Airlines lost my luggage yesterday night, but I will try to look at the bright side: at least I didn't have to drag my 2-ton suitcase home with me! (The airline delivered it to my house this morning). Glad to see that you are having fun and doing well - say hi to SF for me!
about tipping Noticed your question about tipping a few days back. I'm a student and also work as a waitress in NYC and get alot of Aussie and European customers and though you guys tend to be very nice, your tipping skills are horrible. Waiters in America get a low hourly wage and are not provided things like health insurance, and thus depend on their tips to live. 10% is a horrible tip, 15% is ok, 18% is even better, 20% in a restaurant is proper. And if you thought your waiter was great, gave you good tips, directions, etc. definitely tip them over 20%
Aah St Paddy's Day Glad to hear you're having a great time. Am very jealous. St Paddy's day Invercargill style was pretty good too - lots of wine and green face paint. Even had to queue to get into a pub (always surprising down here). Have fun
:-S
Tipping... The general rule for tipping in the US is "double the tax". Because they add on the tax on top of the quoted price (because the tax rates are different in all the states) - making a $5.99 subway meal something like $6.47 or some such ridiculous amount - just double that approximately and you'll be sweet. I only tipped in restaurants (not places like McDs etc though - only where you were brought food) and usually would just let the taxi driver keep the change from the nearest note to the fare. As far as I know I didn't get any snarky comments as I walked away... =)
I second the tipping of restaurant people - many of them earn about $2 per hour and have to supplement that with tips in order to survive. You're supposed to tip 15-20% of your total bill unless they are really terrible. And tip anyone else who is polite. And taxi drivers, because otherwise they might yell at you.
Onion = YAY :D
This is so cool...all these people I haven't seen in ages having an awesome time. And I only found this by accident after it had been (RUDELY) sorted into my spam folder. Love Kat
Tipping I say it depends on the drink. I know a bartender that makes a ridiculous key lime martini, one taste and you'll be throwing your money at him!
Enjoy Tipping does't cpme nturally to us, but some people eg in restaurants are said to be really dependent on them. Ask the locals.
Don't know when i'll next have a terminl to sit at, off to Turkey in 1 hour!
Tipping $2-$5 for cabbies up to $30 ride should cover most of your little trips. 15-20% of the bill at any restaurant, weather it's a diner or a nice steakhouse, servers make a special minimum wage, in Illinois, last I heard it was just over $3 an hour. Bartenders, I usually go with $1 a drink also, they are typically living off of tips as much as servers. A few bucks for the hotel cleaning crew is a nice gesture as well, or anyone who handles your baggage for you, at the airport, cabdrivers, etc.
That should about cover most of the situations you find yourselves in. Oh yeah... the bathroom attendants at hot nightclubs! You tip them a buck or so also! That one's annoying!
tipping Dont tip those fools shit. be cheap. wait people 15-20% of the check. bartenders, $1 per drink and toss a coupla bucks at cabbies and thats about it.
Tipping waitresses is a given (My thoughts are: if they have to clear my plates I should leave em something for it).
The guy at the station: no
Cabbies:...depends on their attitude.
I'm half Italian...and we would tip the President if he offered us a cookie at the White House, but ya do have to limit yourself when traveling.
Mons
Tips Tipping is a custom that dates back to the Civil War in the USA. I don't remember exactly why but that is about the time of its origin.
Tips on Tipping: at restaurants tip your server by paying extra and not getting the change back or getting change and leave a few dollars behind, they don't get payed much so its expected. Bartenders, depends on thier personalitied, they usually bring home a paycheck so tips are iceing on the cake, they earn it with thier personalities. Taxi cab drivers... give em something unless they are assholes or scary. Don't hire a taxi cab driver for the day in the USA. People handing out info like at the BART... up to you but probly not expected. Front Desk at hotels, my job at home, don't expect it and will more than likly try to refuse it out of politness. I'd say only tip them if they are going out of thier way to make your day better. Now for Hotels when you check out leave something for the Housekeeper when they come and clean your room, but only when you check out, if they take money while you are still there they are stealing.
But mostly restaurants are the only "excpeted" tips you will encounter, that and Taxi Drivers but be critical there. And if you don't want to feel like a gangster just shake thier hand and say thanks with some money in your hand, or if you hand them something do it at the same time.
See you two later!
OMG - we are soooo BAD I am soooo sorry Ju for not coming and seeing you last weekend. We kinda put it off until Monday, thinking we could pop in after work but then I got the flu! It's great to hear that you are already taking in the sights and enjoying yourselves. I have no idea what The Onion is but, as Jenny appears to be the calm one of the pair, I'll do as she suggests and smile and nod. Have a good sleep and thanks for the cool update.
Sounds fun :) Glad you made it safely and busying yourselves already. England is freezing even if it's suppose to be Spring. Should warm up by the time you get here though.
Will check back again. These are a great laugh.
Hey Jen and Friend Heya,
told ya i'd post a comment, well only a few days till you go, hope you're making the most of the time left, spending it with important folks n all :P
Will miss ya Jen, so dont stay away TOO long
From Lewis
We are two intrepid young New Zealand adventurers off on our tour of the World! (or bits of it at least).
Jenny, 24, was born in Kaitaia, has lived mostly in New Zealand and South East Asia till this point, is a graphic designer (occasionally at least) and loves lots of stuff! Including, but not limited to; books, food (cooking and enjoying!), photography and drawing, music and film, my kitties (who i will be heartbroken to leave to the cruel devices of my family), and travelling! Which is somewhat fortunate for our plans!
Ju is from Auckland, but lived in Christchurch f... full info
Katherine
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Praise to the Blog!
Hey you guys :o) It looks like you are having an amazing trip. I love the way your blog is written and I bet you're going to have fun reading and remembering the million cool things you did in the states. Looking forward to seeing your Yosemite and LA pics! Big hugs, K