<<<As far as footwear goes, in my opinion (though I'm sure others differ), open-toed shoes are one thing, and sandals quite another.>>>

Really, these would be inappropriate? Why?

http://www.zappos.com/product/7744535/color/632

sf7307, I don't consider any of the shoes (note my use of the word) shown on that site to be sandals (note my use of the word). I can't imagine that sort of footwear as being considered a normal mode of dress with jeans and a tee-shirt.

Look, people can be dressed any way they want. If they appear at a good restaurant dressed as slobs, they could be turned away at the door or be placed at the least desirable table (next to the kitchen door). We've seen it happen time and again.

Yes, many people in NYC do not dress "up," but in the overwhelming majority of cases, they dress appropriately for the place they're visiting.

This is what she asked about....Somehow, this devolved into a discussion about the appropriateness of flip-flops!

<<<I'm planning on a plain black skirt, dressy blouse and open toe sandals>>>

Thanks again, everyone, for your continuing help. I felt the need to explain that, while I am a rube, I'm not that big a ... never mind, maybe I am :)

Seriously, don't hesitate to spell it all out for me. Slowly. While I've been to New York, it's always been with friends who knew the town. And, while I've stayed in nice hotels and eaten at nice restaurants, who, what and how to tip has always escaped me.

While we're at it -- I have never used the concierge services at a hotel because I don't know how to do it. I also don't know how to pronounce prix fixe, or how much to tip a cabbie. In Chicago, I just give them whatever change is left over, plus a buck. I add a dollar a bag if they help w luggage. Is that ok in New York? And what about the housekeeping staff at the hotel - tip the first day, at the end of the trip?

Educate me. Please. And I promise, no jeans, sneakers or flip flops at 21 or Hotel Carlyle.

"Prix-fixe" is pronounced, "pree feeks."

The usual tip for a cabbie in New York is 15 to 20% of the fare. Cabs take credit cards, and you can have the card device calculate the tip for you and add it to the charge. You're right to tip extra for luggage.

Generally, in most good hotels (NYC or not), it's prudent to tip daily, a dollar or two, to the housekeeper, since the staff can change and the person you tip at the end of your stay may not have even been in your room for most of your visit.

Concierges at major hotels are there to serve. They don't necessarily expect to be tipped for, say, restaurant or tourist advice or directions. On the other hand, they often have good connections to procure otherwise unobtainable theater or concert tickets (for a price) or restaurant reservations and deserved to be tipped for their extra efforts. Depending on the degree of difficulty, the tip can range from $5 for handling a simple reservation to, say, $20 or more for a more difficult service. Tips can and do run much higher for really special services.

Thank you, bspielman. Thank you!