patrick.net

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