patrick.net

ajh,

I'm kind of surprised that America's tipping system is that confusing. Most travel guides and brochures have tipping advice. If you're confused, ask the person eating at the next table and they'll tell you. Usually, 15% is standard for any sit down people where someone comes to take your order. 20% is appropriate if you get nice service.

I've talked to friends who wait tables and they feel that foreigners are just feigning ignorance because they're cheap. Consequently, they hate waiting foreigner tables because they know there's a good chance they'll be stiffed.

I would consider 5% as an insult.

the tip's kind of built into the wages here, that's all... without tips, waitpersons in the US would more or less starve, presumably... no wonder waiters in US think they're going to be stiffed by people from other countries... but there is something to be said for having a built in incentive to work harder, only that it's about 5% :(

Yeah, I've noticed a few English people who have problems with the tipping in the States (see my previous post). I thinkit has to do with the fact that most restaurant bills in the UK have service included, giving the customer the choice in paying more, or not.

I hear you about the dry cleaning thing.

Just remember that food service jobs over here pay ridiculously badly. A 'salary' for a waiter/waitress can be as little as $80 a week basic, which, unless you live out in the boonies, will not cover your costs of living. So, as sucky as it seems, you have to tip them.

To be honest, the cost of eating out over here is so much cheaper than in the UK, that even with the tip, you're still looking at a Pound to Dollar conversion.

Its hard finding places in the UK where you can get an evening meal in a decent restaurant for under 25 quid, a head whereas over here its easy to find really top-notch places for 40 dollars.

Sorry mate, appols for relocating you in the UK ;-)

I think a lot of food sevice staff would love AUD$11 - that's about USD$8.30 - well above the normal minimum wage salary in most states.

Its been a while since I was in Melbourne, but I remember it being much cheaper to live there than in the UK (where isn't?).

I also think its a cultural thing, in the US you normally tip much more than you do elsewhere.

It used to piss me off until I realised that, even with the tip included, my meal was still much cheaper than a comparable meal in London.

Mind, you almost any meal worldwide is cheaper than one in London, so what do I know?

ajh,

Hmm, ugly looks for 10%+? That seems a bit rude of the waiter. It's a bit on the low end, but it really shouldn't get you in serious trouble, especially if it's a small party. When my mom waited tables, she would consider that miserly, but hardly unexpected. I'd be happy to do without America's tipping system though. Calculating tips is not something I enjoy and it's just so arbitrary and seems to reward misers and jerks.

Patience is a virtue isn't that the saying? I think there is definately something happening with the housing market. I think it will not happen in a matter of months. Alot of the current data supports this we see the critical things happening with the stock market since this middle east thing started. I think that situation may weaken the global markets and cause a exceleration perhaps of the impending "bubble burst". I think some true clear cut evidence will be upcoming in 07. One thing to be certain those of us with no dept load and some cash may be in the "cat bird seat".

Here is something that I found on Sacramento Craigslist.

http://www.clearlake.net/forsale/ This shows a $29.5k reduction.

http://www.clearlakeca.net/forsale/

I sorry about my fumbling. Here on my 3rd attempt is the interesting little link that I came across on Sacramento Craigslist showing a $29.5 reduction. $98.5 will get this place today, but it might be less next week.

I agree