Thank you for the information everyone.

secret, unaccountable taxes?

I presume he is calling US sales taxes secret and unaccountable vs. VAT. I don't know why, they are all taxes and the amount determined by govt. US taxes aren't exactly secret, they are added on to your bill before you pay. And of course, some people believe travelers to foreign countries should read up a little to find out things like local customs, taxes, etc. I suppose if you are a foreigner and have no idea they have sales taxes in the US and didn't bother to read a guidbook on this issue, etc., you might be surprised as the sign on the sales tag or sign in the store will be the amount pre-tax. So in Europe, the tag is after tax, but a lot of people obviously have no idea there is a VAT tax, either, nor its amount. So to a lot of Americans, I suppose the VAT is secret and unaccountable, also.

And actually, everything bought in the US isn't taxed, either. A lot of things in grocery stores are not taxed in various places.

Christina, but listening to friends in the US who make their living as servers in restaurants, apparently many foreign travelers to the US do NOT read up on anything about the country they are going to -- particularly that tipping IS the custom in restaurants.

In this day and age, I would venture to say that most travelers to the US are traveled enough to know tipping is customary in the US. They just choose to ignore it as it is not their custom. And in the same respect, people like my husband insist on overtipping in places like Paris simply because it is their custom to tip 20-25%. To each their own, I guess.

"same respect"??

Let me see -- one person knows that someone's living depends on tips and it is customary to tip them but chooses not to. Another person knows that tips are not necessary but chooses to reward the person who has given them exceptional service by giving them a little extra.

I fail to see how those two things are even remotely the same! There's a big difference between not including what is required by custom and choosing to give something extra than what is required. In my book there is no such thing as "overtipping" for good service. Do you honestly resent all forms of rewarding good workers -- including things like corporate bonuses?

Yes 'secret' taxes. Think about it - when we buy an item that costs $50, we <i>all</i> know that unless we are in a no-sales-tax state -- it will really cost between about $52.50 and $55 (depending on the city/state). Americans just go w/ it and know that tax will be added on top. Many foreign visitors don't know that until it hits them.

In the UK/Europe, if something is priced at £50 or €50 . . . that is what you pay.

Even more apparent in restaurants. In the US, that $40 steak will actually cost you something like $ 50.50 once you add on the sales tax AND a standard tip. In Europe, that 40 euro steak will actually cost you 40 euros, since the tax is included and the service is likely to be, as well.

I think the tipping thing is a different subject and we have filled pages on it already.

In terms of getting sales tax back, it should be easy and all service should be efficient, the days of importing VHS into France via a small trading estate near Lille have long gone.

In terms of buying stuff. I like the price I have to fork out to be the price I see on the label. If not I might as well be in Marrakesh (don't get me wrong, I like Marrakesh) but nothing bugs me more than queuing up to buy a book in the States, to offer my strange green money and get a staffer asking for more for the tax. It feels rude.

Have a nice day now

Neopatrick...If you read what I wrote "in the same respect" refers to the sentence preceding it which said "They just choose to ignore it as it is not their custom.". People do what they are accustomed to.

Chill out. It's a forum for discussion not bashing.