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"Skip Gundlach" wrote:

"Don White" wrote in message
...
You've heard about 'Thrifty Scotsmen'. I'm sure the service people would
be
very pleased with your 'normal generous tipping'.

:{)) I'm torn on the matter. On the one hand, you have third world
experiences, where even an outrageously generous tip (say, the amount of the
bill, but perhaps equal to a day's wages) is a totally insignificant amount
to USofAmericans, and on the other, agonizing over how much to leave (trying
to do the 'right' thing).

I'm reminded of the Vegas experiences of celebrities routinely adding $500
or some such totally unrelated-to-bill-or-service amount. It's something
which is basically meaningless to them, but incredibly meaningful to the
recipient.

In my case, even though I'm long-term unemployed, I tend toward generosity
on a percentage scale. The difference between that and parsimony is
relatively insignificant in dollar terms, so I'd rather make someone happy
(and maybe they'd remember me the next time, too!) for its minimal impact on
my life.

Just me, of course - and long-timers here already know I'm weird :{))

It is very often the case in the UK that a non-optional gratuity is
added to the bill. Check first before you tip. It's all very well to
be generous, but don't tip 15% on top of a 10% added gratuity,
especially if including the 10% in the total that you are taking the
15% of.

In addition with the current situation with regard to $ to £ exchange
rate, a tip of a £ ISN'T really insignificant. And stuff can be very
much more expensive to begin with.

In London for 4 days we spent an average of $99/day for the two of us
not including the hotel ($103/ or £65 night which included breakfast),
and being very careful to go to mostly free things and get the best
possible bang for the buck in transportation (no taxis).

London Meals $155.06 £12.95 to 18 for two including one dinner
at McDonalds when we were in a hurry to get to the theatre.
Transport $90.24 tube/bus, and one boat trip from Greenwich
back to London.
Admissions/souveniers $152.68 Big Bus, Mikado &program,
London Eye, rubbing


grandma Rosalie
http://www12.virtualtourist.com/m/4a9c6/