Tipping and Mobile Phones
Apr 20th, 2012, 08:46 AM
#22
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Tipping in NY is 20% - not 25% - unless yuo get some super fantastic service. In toehr parts of the country it may be 15% to 20%. this is for restaurants, bars (but with a minimum), cabs etc. Hotel maids we give $5 per day - but it depends on the type ofhotel. You tip the valets who bring yuor car - a couple $ to more dependig n thetime of place. Also tip airdressers (20%) - if you're going to use them. Can't imagine tipping anyone when you buy an object in a shop - phone or not - those peple get actual salareis - not the $2 or $3 an hour that many wait staff do.
Apr 20th, 2012, 09:24 AM
#23
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Gennerally, you get better service at more upscale restaurants or hotels(certainly not always).
The rule use to be to tip your hairdresser only if she didn't own the shop. If she is the owner, then you didn't tip.
The rule use to be to tip your hairdresser only if she didn't own the shop. If she is the owner, then you didn't tip.
Apr 20th, 2012, 10:40 PM
#26
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sylvia3, I'm curious about the laws in California. Do they make a living wage there, without needing to rely on tips? Is that new?
My husband and I have been talking about how different our two countries are regarding tipping. Here, we have a minimum wage which people can live on and tips are fairly uncommon, certainly most people would never tip in their whole lives. It's a very different culture for us, I think a lot of Australians find the whole tipping thing embarrassing as we never know what to do, how to handover the money and how much.
We are reconsidering Mesa Verde, I'm going to do some more reading about it.
Kay
My husband and I have been talking about how different our two countries are regarding tipping. Here, we have a minimum wage which people can live on and tips are fairly uncommon, certainly most people would never tip in their whole lives. It's a very different culture for us, I think a lot of Australians find the whole tipping thing embarrassing as we never know what to do, how to handover the money and how much.
We are reconsidering Mesa Verde, I'm going to do some more reading about it.
Kay
Apr 20th, 2012, 11:55 PM
#27
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Agree you should go to Mesa Verde. It's fascinating. You can do the loop rd and also take ranger tours at places like Cliff House and Balcony House in one day but get there by 9AM. For Balcony House, you shouldn't be afraid of heights. The drive into the park is also scenic. I would also recommend driving the "Million Dollar Highway" in SW CO from Durango to Ouray or beyond. You could also take the narrow guage RR trip from Durango but I personally prefer driving it. Absolutely beautiful mt scenery and cute old western towns. It could be pretty chilly there in June.
Have a great trip.
Most waitstaff aren't paid the reg minimum wage in the US so really do rely on tips. Generally, tips get shared in-house among the waitperson, hostess/maitre d', bus people, bartenders. This is only for sit down restaurants where you are served at your table, 18-20%. If you sit at a bar for a drink, bartenders $!/drink. Also, hotel maids $2-3/day, valets parkers $2/time, bellmen $1-2/bag, same for anyone else who handles your bags such as airport shuttle bus drivers. Tour guides based on the length and type of tour, a couple of dollars to $10pp. Overnt adventure type tours much more. Also hairdressers and nail salon people %20 if you do that and taxi drivers/limo drivers. America is a tipping society! Enjoy your trip.
Have a great trip.
Most waitstaff aren't paid the reg minimum wage in the US so really do rely on tips. Generally, tips get shared in-house among the waitperson, hostess/maitre d', bus people, bartenders. This is only for sit down restaurants where you are served at your table, 18-20%. If you sit at a bar for a drink, bartenders $!/drink. Also, hotel maids $2-3/day, valets parkers $2/time, bellmen $1-2/bag, same for anyone else who handles your bags such as airport shuttle bus drivers. Tour guides based on the length and type of tour, a couple of dollars to $10pp. Overnt adventure type tours much more. Also hairdressers and nail salon people %20 if you do that and taxi drivers/limo drivers. America is a tipping society! Enjoy your trip.
Apr 21st, 2012, 05:45 AM
#28
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Yes, California now has a minimum wage for waitstaff; but that hasn't changed the tipping!
Again, I disagree with the above tipping pronouncement; there is no standard, other than the restaurants, where the wage is legally substandard, and 15% (not 18%, and do not tip on amount including tax) is the usual starting point.
No, tips are not necessarily shared with buspeople or a hostess. My daughter worked her way through college as a hostess at 3 places, and was NEVER entitled to or given a share of tips. Buspeople get a token amount sometimes; depends entirely on the restaurant and what they are paid. Bartenders get tipped at the bar, and do not share.
Hotel maids? I know of one person in my general group who tips for maids (you are already paying for a clean room, and they make minimum or more. Why would you tip, other than guilt because they have what you think is a lousy job?!).
I do not use valet or bellmen; taxi drivers usually 15%.
I tip shuttle drivers ONLY if they have helped with my bag. I tip hairdressers 15% if they did a good job.
America is not necessarily a tipping society; but it becomes more and more so as well-meaning people throw money at any folks who work for a living with whom they come into personal contact.
(Remember, walk into the back areas of your drycleaner, find the workers, and give them some extra money; it's a hot and dirty low-wage job. Throw a few bucks at that stockboy you pass in the supermarket, he's probably making minimum. The clerk at Macey's? She looks like she's in college, making minimum, could probably use some of your money, too!)
Again, I disagree with the above tipping pronouncement; there is no standard, other than the restaurants, where the wage is legally substandard, and 15% (not 18%, and do not tip on amount including tax) is the usual starting point.
No, tips are not necessarily shared with buspeople or a hostess. My daughter worked her way through college as a hostess at 3 places, and was NEVER entitled to or given a share of tips. Buspeople get a token amount sometimes; depends entirely on the restaurant and what they are paid. Bartenders get tipped at the bar, and do not share.
Hotel maids? I know of one person in my general group who tips for maids (you are already paying for a clean room, and they make minimum or more. Why would you tip, other than guilt because they have what you think is a lousy job?!).
I do not use valet or bellmen; taxi drivers usually 15%.
I tip shuttle drivers ONLY if they have helped with my bag. I tip hairdressers 15% if they did a good job.
America is not necessarily a tipping society; but it becomes more and more so as well-meaning people throw money at any folks who work for a living with whom they come into personal contact.
(Remember, walk into the back areas of your drycleaner, find the workers, and give them some extra money; it's a hot and dirty low-wage job. Throw a few bucks at that stockboy you pass in the supermarket, he's probably making minimum. The clerk at Macey's? She looks like she's in college, making minimum, could probably use some of your money, too!)
Apr 21st, 2012, 08:12 PM
#29
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Kay, I'm a fellow Aussie, and we are going back to Mesa Verde for a second look soon - you'll be amazed , there's nothing like it here, and we don't usually realise this ancient culture existed until we see it. We don't use mobile phones, so I can't help you there.
Sylvia, I think the maid deserves the highest tip, because she does the most work for you, and it's personal! That said, I always leave the room as clean as possible, to minimise the work. We travel quite a bit, but try to be self sufficient with minimum luggage so that we can handle it ourselves, and I really don't like paying anything to a young man who insists on carrying my bag a few metres in a hotel, when I've already carried it a few hundred metres outside! Aussies are different, I know!
Sylvia, I think the maid deserves the highest tip, because she does the most work for you, and it's personal! That said, I always leave the room as clean as possible, to minimise the work. We travel quite a bit, but try to be self sufficient with minimum luggage so that we can handle it ourselves, and I really don't like paying anything to a young man who insists on carrying my bag a few metres in a hotel, when I've already carried it a few hundred metres outside! Aussies are different, I know!
Apr 21st, 2012, 11:14 PM
#31
Original Poster
This could turn into another discussion on food or what things are called in other countries!
What you call a biscuit, we call a scone. What you call a cookie, we call a biscuit. We've had your biscuits on the odd occasion in America for breakfast and they are melt-in-the-mouth fantastic so I'll definitely be looking out for them. Our scones are usually served with jam and cream for afternoon tea.
One thing I don't understand is why a pizza is sometimes called a pie. What do you then call a pie - such as apple pie? Maybe they are both pies. We've had some funny conversations on overseas trips with lots of misunderstandings but it's something to laugh about afterwards.
Kay
What you call a biscuit, we call a scone. What you call a cookie, we call a biscuit. We've had your biscuits on the odd occasion in America for breakfast and they are melt-in-the-mouth fantastic so I'll definitely be looking out for them. Our scones are usually served with jam and cream for afternoon tea.
One thing I don't understand is why a pizza is sometimes called a pie. What do you then call a pie - such as apple pie? Maybe they are both pies. We've had some funny conversations on overseas trips with lots of misunderstandings but it's something to laugh about afterwards.
Kay
Apr 22nd, 2012, 04:38 AM
#32
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Pizzas were called pies when they first came to the US. It is far more common now to just see it called Pizza(occasionally Pizza Pie). If you were just talking about pie, most people would think you were referring to a chocolate pie, apple pie, etc.
I never thought of New Mexico as a place to eat biscuits. I always think Hatch Green Chiles for NM.
I meant to mention that most people that live on reservations do consume larger amounts of liquor than others. However, Utah is a state where it is sometimes harder to find stores that sell liquor. I'm not certain if they sell it on the reservations of not. The Indian Reservations are a bit like a different country,IMOP. I live in Oklahoma and I do have a CDIB card(proves that you have indian bloodline). Mine is like 1/128,lol. But it still has lots of benefits.
Kay, Now where all are you going? I don't see an Iten.
I never thought of New Mexico as a place to eat biscuits. I always think Hatch Green Chiles for NM.
I meant to mention that most people that live on reservations do consume larger amounts of liquor than others. However, Utah is a state where it is sometimes harder to find stores that sell liquor. I'm not certain if they sell it on the reservations of not. The Indian Reservations are a bit like a different country,IMOP. I live in Oklahoma and I do have a CDIB card(proves that you have indian bloodline). Mine is like 1/128,lol. But it still has lots of benefits.
Kay, Now where all are you going? I don't see an Iten.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 05:17 AM
#33
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Bisquits are not a NM food, the only places that might have them are china restaurants. I am pretty sure those are southern specialty.
Pizza may have been called "pie" because it is usually sliced into wedges, like a pie.
Reservations do not sell alcohol! Drinking is prohibited on a reservation.
Green chile is one of the things we are best known for as far as culinary delights. There are lots more and New Mexican cuisine I've very different from Mexican food. Sopapillas, bizcochitos, chile rellenos, breakfast burritos, Posole, green chile stew are just a few of them.
Pizza may have been called "pie" because it is usually sliced into wedges, like a pie.
Reservations do not sell alcohol! Drinking is prohibited on a reservation.
Green chile is one of the things we are best known for as far as culinary delights. There are lots more and New Mexican cuisine I've very different from Mexican food. Sopapillas, bizcochitos, chile rellenos, breakfast burritos, Posole, green chile stew are just a few of them.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 06:54 AM
#34
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Debit, usually when we go to NM we go to see my brother and stay at his house, no biscuits there.
The last time we ventured out to explore your state and ate breakfast out. They all seemed to come with biscuits. In California, breakfast may come with a biscuit but it's rarely worth the effort to chew it.
I too, thought of biscuits as a Southern thing.
The last time we ventured out to explore your state and ate breakfast out. They all seemed to come with biscuits. In California, breakfast may come with a biscuit but it's rarely worth the effort to chew it.
I too, thought of biscuits as a Southern thing.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 07:03 AM
#35
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The only places that might serve biscuits here are Denny's, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, etc. I can't ever remember seeing them in any local establishment. Not saying they don't exist, just saying they are far from being a "local" foodstuff. Tortillas for breakfast are the norm.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 04:27 PM
#37
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In the US in most places wait staff is not covered by minimum wage. They often get $2 to $3 per hour - way below federal minimum wage and that is states (as far as I know ) state minimum wage applies of the restaurant is local only na dnot involved in interstate commerce.
But in NYC Mickey D counter kids gets $10 to $11 per hour - since there are no tips - while wait staff in a real restaurant get much less (since they are expected to pull in 20% tips).
But in NYC Mickey D counter kids gets $10 to $11 per hour - since there are no tips - while wait staff in a real restaurant get much less (since they are expected to pull in 20% tips).
Apr 22nd, 2012, 05:02 PM
#38
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Almost ALL fast food places get minimum wage or better.
I wonder just what percentage of tips are actually reported to the IRS.
On a similar subject. Does anyone buy their postal carrier a Christmas Gift. Do you tip the trash man(which is what I do for a living)? I really don't like tipping at all. I think everyone should charge what they need to in order to make a profit and pay their employees in the same fair manner.
I wonder just what percentage of tips are actually reported to the IRS.
On a similar subject. Does anyone buy their postal carrier a Christmas Gift. Do you tip the trash man(which is what I do for a living)? I really don't like tipping at all. I think everyone should charge what they need to in order to make a profit and pay their employees in the same fair manner.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 05:07 PM
#39
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The biscuit thing started on that trip because we stayed over on the way to Las Crucias and breakfasted at a place in Benson AZ. They had the best breakfast and I was addicted. The next place was Truth or Consequences, can't remember the restaurant (sorry, I never write these things down.) Great Biscuits Again!
I expected tortillas
Maybe I was just lucky.
I expected tortillas
Maybe I was just lucky.
Apr 23rd, 2012, 02:40 AM
#40
Original Poster
Interesting conversation, I can't wait to get to America and start enjoying it all - the food, the national parks, the shopping
spirobulldog, you asked for an itinerary. It's not set in stone as we've had roadtrips in America before and it's wonderful to be a bit flexible.
We fly into Albuquerque, via LAX, on 2 June and back out of Denver on 28 June (? I think, with the international date line coming home I could be a day out).
In between we plan to visit:
Santa Fe
Monument Valley (and Four Corners)
Moab - Arches, Canyonlands and maybe Goblin Valley
Durango - maybe Mesa Verde
Ouray - Telluride
not sure here but maybe Gunnison, Crested Butte, Aspen
Glenwood Springs
also not sure how we will reach RMNP - via Georgetown or the backway via Grand Lake
maybe Boulder though it's very close to Denver
Denver
maybe Pikes Peak if we have time
Flights are booked, hire car is booked, a bit of accommodation is booked but most is not. We travel on a budget so try and stay around US$100 per night where possible. Clean but basic is fine.
DebitNM -
as you live in the area, where would they have a decent range of hairdryers to choose from? My hairdryer has dual voltage but with the different amount of power, the hot air coming out of it is pathetic. I thought I'd just buy one that is lightweight but powerful. We plan on coming back in the future so I can use it again and I don't think they are expensive.
Thanks
Kay
spirobulldog, you asked for an itinerary. It's not set in stone as we've had roadtrips in America before and it's wonderful to be a bit flexible.
We fly into Albuquerque, via LAX, on 2 June and back out of Denver on 28 June (? I think, with the international date line coming home I could be a day out).
In between we plan to visit:
Santa Fe
Monument Valley (and Four Corners)
Moab - Arches, Canyonlands and maybe Goblin Valley
Durango - maybe Mesa Verde
Ouray - Telluride
not sure here but maybe Gunnison, Crested Butte, Aspen
Glenwood Springs
also not sure how we will reach RMNP - via Georgetown or the backway via Grand Lake
maybe Boulder though it's very close to Denver
Denver
maybe Pikes Peak if we have time
Flights are booked, hire car is booked, a bit of accommodation is booked but most is not. We travel on a budget so try and stay around US$100 per night where possible. Clean but basic is fine.
DebitNM -
as you live in the area, where would they have a decent range of hairdryers to choose from? My hairdryer has dual voltage but with the different amount of power, the hot air coming out of it is pathetic. I thought I'd just buy one that is lightweight but powerful. We plan on coming back in the future so I can use it again and I don't think they are expensive.
Thanks
Kay
