Driving in US

[devilish_me]

hey pple... i want to know the tipping culture there.... any advices and guidances please? when, how much and who should we give tips to?

thanks

for F&B eat-ins...usually between 15-25% depending on the level of service you've rec'd. for certain places offering highly discounted food/drink prices....usually i'd tip more so as not to shortchange the servers. they shouldn't be earning less for the same amount of work just 'cos restaurants are reducing the prices to attract customers. sometimes for bigger tables of 8 or more....the gratuity would already have been charged to your bill (+18-20% added to your overall bill)...so you need not tip more.

when the bill arrives...if you are paying cash, just work out the total inclusive of tip and leave the money there....if you don't need a change, you are free to leave at this point. if you require change, then wait for the change to be returned and then you leave the amount of tip in the check cover.

if paying with debit/credit card, you can either sign the amount of the bill without the tip and then leave cash for the tip.....or just sign for the entire sum with the tip (you'll need to indicate the amount of tip/total on the receipt when you sign).

for hotel rooms....i suppose between USD2-5/day is reasonable. for bellboys assisting with your suitcases, USD1-2/luggage.

 

[devilish_me]

Nope diddnt go philly leh. That cheesesteak was from this store @ hollywood and highland centre in la. Was good.

Oh lol. Saw in starbucks but diddnt know and paiseh to ask.

oh i see.....a pity you missed philly.....i visited philly in feb and i absolutely love it!!! one of my most fav places i must say.

 

[proletarian]

hi, i'm planning a one-way drive fr boston to san francisco this aug. it seems that other than avis & hertz, the other firms don't offer one-way rentals coast to coast. anyone knows otherwise, or can advise me? i'd hate to have to pay $1000 or $500 respectively just for the one-way surcharge. buying a used car is not a viable option as i'll only be renting for 3 weeks.

 

[Erwinlow]

Yup I will! By the way which was the best premium outlet you went? I don't think i'm going gilroy so probably will go desert hills

desert hill is the best imo.

if you don't want to go gilroy, and want somewhere nearer to SF itself, go great mall. very very big mall with all those discounted stores. luckily someone from here recommended me to go there!

heard ontario mills mall in LA is pretty good too. not sure on this.

 

[patryn33]

hey pple... i want to know the tipping culture there.... any advices and guidances please? when, how much and who should we give tips to?

in the past 10%, today ppl expects 15%. u can still tip 10%, just don't return in case they do something to your food.
1 person eating something cheap under $10, give US$1, even when the food cost US$5.

 

[cormet]

For my SF-LA drive, intend to stop at san luis obispo for the night, but accomodation there for 3 is hard to find and rather expensive. Found holiday inn at atascadero to be within budget, that area isn't dangerous or anything right?

 

[Erwinlow]

I booked only a room with 2 double/queen bed for my entire stay in US... 4 of us in a room.

 

[cormet]

Patryn, just a quick question, no problems booking through dollar.co.uk hor? Don't necessarily have to book via dollar.com right?

 

[patryn33]

Patryn, just a quick question, no problems booking through dollar.co.uk hor? Don't necessarily have to book via dollar.com right?

I have not book from here b4, but someone booked from there without issues. Search around for the post and U may PM him directly.

 

[vernon_wmk]

For my SF-LA drive, intend to stop at san luis obispo for the night, but accomodation there for 3 is hard to find and rather expensive. Found holiday inn at atascadero to be within budget, that area isn't dangerous or anything right?

Try peach tree inn, a nice little B&B.

 

[cormet]

Try peach tree inn, a nice little B&B.

I tried putting 3 adults per room then cannot proceed further

 

[devilish_me]

I booked only a room with 2 double/queen bed for my entire stay in US... 4 of us in a room.

4 persons on 2 double beds....you folks must be darn skinny!! not uncomfortable meh??

 

[devilish_me]

I tried putting 3 adults per room then cannot proceed further

if got 2 queen bed options....just put 2 adults. but the other person must discreetly sneak in after check in.

 

[icube]

for F&B eat-ins...usually between 15-25% depending on the level of service you've rec'd. for certain places offering highly discounted food/drink prices....usually i'd tip more so as not to shortchange the servers. they shouldn't be earning less for the same amount of work just 'cos restaurants are reducing the prices to attract customers. sometimes for bigger tables of 8 or more....the gratuity would already have been charged to your bill (+18-20% added to your overall bill)...so you need not tip more.

when the bill arrives...if you are paying cash, just work out the total inclusive of tip and leave the money there....if you don't need a change, you are free to leave at this point. if you require change, then wait for the change to be returned and then you leave the amount of tip in the check cover.

if paying with debit/credit card, you can either sign the amount of the bill without the tip and then leave cash for the tip.....or just sign for the entire sum with the tip (you'll need to indicate the amount of tip/total on the receipt when you sign).

for hotel rooms....i suppose between USD2-5/day is reasonable. for bellboys assisting with your suitcases, USD1-2/luggage.

hotels also need to give tips?... as i'm paying my accom through credit card so at the same time i need to give tips? bellboys i understand need to give but hotels also need to give the receptionist? how about taxi drivers?

 

[Qannik]

anyone can guess where this cake is from?

cheesecake factory?

 

[devilish_me]

hotels also need to give tips?... as i'm paying my accom through credit card so at the same time i need to give tips? bellboys i understand need to give but hotels also need to give the receptionist? how about taxi drivers?

i meant tips for room cleaning service. no need to tip the hotel reception!

i'd tip taxi drivers too....probably 10-20% depending on the fare amount. the amount is usually correlated to the level of service/comfort of ride of course. but i do know a lot of people don't tip.....so it's really up to you.

 

[klanse]

cheesecake factory?

Oh yea, the napkin says Chesscake factory.

 

[Erwinlow]

cheesecake factory?

Yep the godiva cheesecake. if only sg had it

 

[Erwinlow]

4 persons on 2 double beds....you folks must be darn skinny!! not uncomfortable meh??

queen bed, my bad.

 

[icube]

i meant tips for room cleaning service. no need to tip the hotel reception!

i'd tip taxi drivers too....probably 10-20% depending on the fare amount. the amount is usually correlated to the level of service/comfort of ride of course. but i do know a lot of people don't tip.....so it's really up to you.

ok thanks.. i'm not used to giving tips... so i'm afraid they will give me that kind of look if i just walk away....