Really good and kind and wise guide to TIPPING in the USA |
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posted 15-4-2019 @ 11:11 AM
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Really good and kind and wise guide to TIPPING in the USA
http://www.grubstreet.com/2019/04/how-to-tip.html |
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posted 15-4-2019 @ 12:14 PM
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This is the most frustrating part of travelling in the US. I found the whole tipping culture stressful.
Tipping at a restaurant or cafe is the easy part, but it doesn't stop there. How much do you give the doorman or the porter at your hotel? We stayed
in a hotel in LA for 3 days where they had someone cooking omelettes for breakfast. It was on the last day that we found out that we were supposed to
tip him each day. Do you tip the concierge? Do you tip the doorman every time you walk through that door? You're supposed to leave a tip for the maid
each day. We bought hotdogs from a food van, do you tip? Tour guides will ask for a tip, even suggesting how much you should tip. Knowing when and who
to tip was stressful. If we didn't tip someone we should've we felt terribly guilty. On 2 occasions we went back the next day to apologise and tip
them!
I don't disagree with tipping. It's necessary for service people in the US to make a decent living. But I wish they would just pay their staff a
decent wage so that tipping was an optional extra.
They say the minimum wage in the US is 7.25/hr? If that's not ridiculous in itself, it's not quite true. The minimum wage in the US is zero! We
discovered that some service people, like doorman at some hotels, work ONLY for tips. They do not get a wage at all. Can you imagine going to work
today not knowing if you'll earn enough to feed your family tonight? |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 10:59 AM
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Hi Smiley, did you visit Disneyland or Universal Studios in LA I’m presently in the process of booking a US holiday. ($14,000) local shopping precinct
win travel agent selected by the promoter! She’s my worst nightmare! We’re visiting, LA, Sandiego, Vegas, Sanfrancisco, Honolulu. We’re already
putting in around another $6000 actually feel like she’s doing me a favour. My question is is it ok to purchase your Disneyland Tickets and Universal
tickets at your hotel?? She’s pushing me to buy ahead here but that locks you into the days selected which I don’t like doing as in the 8 days were in
Anaheim there is a Public Holiday, August 3rd. Any advice greatly appreciated by anyone. Sorry know I’m way off topic here! Iv been to all those
places previously so have some knowledge. As for tipping like you I really struggled with this! Everyone wants a tip! In Sandiego we had a bowl of
loose coins in a bowl and housekeeping just took it presuming it was a tip! |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 11:28 AM
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We travel to USA every couple of years (good friends live there and we've done extensive travel for over 30 years). Our last visit was 2017. I don't
think us Aussies ever get used to tipping but it's how they make their take home wage.
A lot of restaurants now already build in their tip so it's done for you. On the other hand if they haven't, I think the 'norm' is 15% of the bill
... take note that the 15% is calculated BEFORE their sales tax is added which makes it a bit lower for you.
As for the bag handlers and anyone else, I would say the lowest you give them is $1 per bag OR carry the bags yourself. Depends how tired you are
If you are on a tour bus going to Disneyland etc you would give the bus driver $1-$2. A lot don't do this, but it's up to you.
Watch others and see what they are doing as well in different circumstances. You don't have to leave money at breakfast buffets at the hotels or just
grabbing coffee and lunch along the way.
Last part of our trip we were on a 12 day bus tour (2nd ever time we've done a bus tour) .. on this bus were around another 5 Aussie couples and
honestly they made me sick .. great people and lots of fun BUT they wouldn't put their hand in their pockets for tipping. Does my head in. It's not a
lot of money, just do it FFS.
Disneyland has a load of crap to eat there (good crap :lol but if you can find a
supermarket buy some bits & pieces to take there for your lunches & snacks.
We love USA. The people are so friendly, we've never come across anyone who wasn't helpful or intimidating.
Enjoy yourselves and safe travels. |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 12:48 PM
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Quote: |
Hi Smiley, did you visit Disneyland or Universal Studios in LA I’m presently in the process of booking a US holiday. ($14,000) local shopping precinct
win travel agent selected by the promoter! She’s my worst nightmare! We’re visiting, LA, Sandiego, Vegas, Sanfrancisco, Honolulu. We’re already
putting in around another $6000 actually feel like she’s doing me a favour. My question is is it ok to purchase your Disneyland Tickets and Universal
tickets at your hotel?? She’s pushing me to buy ahead here but that locks you into the days selected which I don’t like doing as in the 8 days were in
Anaheim there is a Public Holiday, August 3rd. Any advice greatly appreciated by anyone. Sorry know I’m way off topic here! Iv been to all those
places previously so have some knowledge. As for tipping like you I really struggled with this! Everyone wants a tip! In Sandiego we had a bowl of
loose coins in a bowl and housekeeping just took it presuming it was a tip! |
Congrats on your trip win jasminebloom : )
Regarding the Disneyland tickets, you shouldn't have to be tied down to particular days. Are you planning to just buy parkhopper passes? For instance
you can get a five day parkhopper pass and use it on any five days you wish. At either park. Back and forth.
Cheaper to buy online and get special deals. Ares travel is an option. I bought mine through the American Airlines australian website. Sometimes they
offer 5 days for the price of three. Worth checking.
With universal you can just buy online and take advantage of discounts. Its cheaper if you choose a particular day but you don't have to.
I would try to get the lady to back off a bit. Its your money!
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 01:30 PM
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Thanks for your advice. I was originally planning a 3 day hopper pass but with the Public holiday I (which iv just found out about) I think we need a
bit more flexibility. So I’m thinking the 5 day. Last time we just brought our tickets in the hotel lobby (Sheraton Park Hotel At The Anaheim Resort)
which is where we are staying for 8 nights again. Also got our Universal ticket there. No hassle! This Travel agent has created so much uncertainty in
my mind! My anxiety is through the roof! A holiday escepially a win should be fun and it’s a nightmare! I’ll check out the sites u mentioned. I’m
definitely no tech wizz so I’m hesitant using online sites, recommendations are a great help! So thank you! Anyone else welcome to contribute with any
ideas! Thanks so much! |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 03:54 PM
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jasimebloom, yes, just use the universal studios official website for those tickets. That is really easy.
Nothing worse than being anxious when planning a trip : ( This should be the best part.
You can even buy tickets direct from the Disneyland website if you are nervous about using resellers like Ares, but they will be full price.
Undercover tourist is another good one.
PS. Are you sure there is a public holiday on August 3? There is Labor Day on Sep 2. Not sure if there is one on Aug 3? |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 04:00 PM
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Don't let a promoter push you into anything. Do your own research and do what feels right for you.
We were in LA for just 3 days, so with limited time we only went to Universal Studios and not Disneyland. We prebooked our tickets online before we
even left Australia. We also paid extra for Express or Skip-the-queue, which I highly recommend if you're going at a busy time. We went over Easter
and saved so much time jumping the queue at every ride and attraction. However, if you're purchasing a 5-day hopper you may not need to skip the queue
as you can see what you miss on another day.
Quote: | Originally posted by jasminebloom
Hi Smiley, did you visit Disneyland or Universal Studios in LA I’m presently in the process of booking a US holiday. ($14,000) local shopping precinct
win travel agent selected by the promoter! She’s my worst nightmare! We’re visiting, LA, Sandiego, Vegas, Sanfrancisco, Honolulu. We’re already
putting in around another $6000 actually feel like she’s doing me a favour. My question is is it ok to purchase your Disneyland Tickets and Universal
tickets at your hotel?? She’s pushing me to buy ahead here but that locks you into the days selected which I don’t like doing as in the 8 days were in
Anaheim there is a Public Holiday, August 3rd. Any advice greatly appreciated by anyone. Sorry know I’m way off topic here! Iv been to all those
places previously so have some knowledge. As for tipping like you I really struggled with this! Everyone wants a tip! In Sandiego we had a bowl of
loose coins in a bowl and housekeeping just took it presuming it was a tip! |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 04:04 PM
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I don't know of a public holiday on 3 Aug in the US, but it is the middle of school holidays, so those venues will all be busy on every day. |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 05:19 PM
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Thanks kismet. Good advice. After many trips to the US, it is not worth the stress to me to undertip and a straight 20% is easier to calculate. I
realised that trying to work out the exact tip (at say 18%) was more stressful than just overtipping a bit and at very little real cost to me. It
annoys me too that people in the US are so underpaid that they depend on tips but that is the way that it is.
I have just come back from Japan where people are actually often insulted if you offer them a tip because in their view they are paid well and do not
need a tip for good service - the service is always good and is provided out of pride for their jobs and their work ethic. Such a lovely place and
lovely people |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 05:26 PM
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Quote: | Originally posted by lucymorgan
Thanks kismet. Good advice. After many trips to the US, it is not worth the stress to me to undertip and a straight 20% is easier to calculate. I
realised that trying to work out the exact tip (at say 18%) was more stressful than just overtipping a bit and at very little real cost to me. It
annoys me too that people in the US are so underpaid that they depend on tips but that is the way that it is.
I have just come back from Japan where people are actually often insulted if you offer them a tip because in their view they are paid well and do not
need a tip for good service - the service is always good and is provided out of pride for their jobs and their work ethic. Such a lovely place and
lovely people |
Our son lives there. He said there's not much need to tip too many others. He carries his own bags he says and yes, we need not to be lousy!!!
We had a VIP pass for Universal, it was great!!! |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 05:32 PM
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I worked in hotels in the US for a couple of years
I was one of the highest paid - USD10 per hour. I didn't work for tips and usually shared them with the bell staff if I did get any
Bell staff worked for $1.25 p/h - at a high class establishment. They were meant to earn well with tips.
Doorman was on the same and he made a killing! Cause he stopped every single person, every single time and worked DAMN hard to make sure that every
time they gave him $1
Its degrading to have to do it but can be rewarding. Some staff were making more than managers!
Its when you know your waitress is rubbish and the food is awful but think that she may be rubbish because she doesn't know where her next meal is
coming from herself …
I tip. But do the garry groundwork first to make sure I am not begrudging one for the sake of seeming grateful to another.
have great trips people - very jealous :0 |
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posted 16-4-2019 @ 08:23 PM
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One more thing. Check your restaurant bill carefully, because some add the tip to the bill.
We got caught out on our very first night in the US. A 20% tip was already added to the bill, then we tipped on top of that! They had a windfall that
night. We didn't realise our mistake until later at our hotel room when hubby went to throw away some receipts and realised we tipped twice! |
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posted 18-4-2019 @ 12:56 PM
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Vanjsne have checked out Ayres. Would that be Australian $ or US? Haven't been able to find anything through American Airlines. Thank you for your
advice everyone! |
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posted 18-4-2019 @ 01:17 PM
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Quote: |
Vanjsne have checked out Ayres. Would that be Australian $ or US? Haven't been able to find anything through American Airlines. Thank you for your
advice everyone! |
Ares Travel would be in USD. |
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