The totally off-topic thread

[Quickstatus]

We generally tip 20% at restaurants - the Maths is easier, although sometimes they print it on the bill. The FAQ at EMP state that “gratuities are neither expected nor accepted.”

Some are sneaky and print the tip/fine as a % of post tax amount.

I always pay the % on the pre tax amount.

 

[Quickstatus]

OMG I am sitting next to Sheldon’s alter-ego.

Flight mode for 16 hours so next update tomorrow!

sheldon of BBT?

 

[serfty]

sheldon of BBT?

If so then at least they'd be rather skinny ...

 

[Quickstatus]

If so then at least they'd be rather skinny ...

Though the OCD will get ya!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Some are sneaky and print the tip/fine as a % of post tax amount.

I always pay the % on the pre tax amount.

I know you are supposed to, but we just take the whole amount. The way I look at it, the ordinary workers in the USA are getting totally shafted. You don’t know whether they have a kid at home they can’t afford medical bills for or whatever. What’s a few dollars here or there when you are travelling. It’s like giving charity, without the admin people taking their cut.....

 

[Quickstatus]

2 ways of looking at it like everything.
To prevent dodgy ticket clippers, I always pay tip/fine in Cash.
And invariably the Cash is the AustraliaPost foreign currency cash which is usually crisp, uncreased and fresh making it difficult to separate.

 

[Flying mermaid]

2 ways of looking at it like everything.
To prevent dodgy ticket clippers, I always pay tip/fine in Cash.
And invariably the Cash is the AustraliaPost foreign currency cash which is usually crisp, uncreased and fresh making it difficult to separate.

you get the cash in advance? I just use Citibank Plus and draw it out when I get there? We pay the tip in cash as well - we’ve heard stories of unscrupulous restaurants pocketing it.

 

[Quickstatus]

you get the cash in advance? I just use Citibank Plus and draw it out when I get there? We pay the tip in cash as well - we’ve heard stories of unscrupulous restaurants pocketing it.

Yep cash in advance from AustraliaPost Foreign Cash service. Good exchange rate as well. 3 days from online order pick at local post office.
I really enjoy holding Crisp, clean, fresh uncreased notes just off the Mint.
Non cocaine tainted
I don't have citibank plus

I made a mistake toward the end of the USA trip when I did not have enough large denominations for a $60 tip. In the end I gave 2x$5 and 50x$1.

The $100 bill can be a bit of an issue if using to purchase. They often want to see ID if you turn up with one.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yep cash in advance from AustraliaPost Foreign Cash service. Good exchange rate as well. 3 days from online order pick at local post office.
I really enjoy holding Crisp, clean, fresh uncreased notes just off the Mint.
Non cocaine tainted
I don't have citibank plus

I made a mistake toward the end of the USA trip when I did not have enough large denominations for a $60 tip. In the end I gave 2x$5 and 50x$1.

The $100 bill can be a bit of an issue if using to purchase. They often want to see ID if you turn up with one.

there is no exchange fee with Citibank plus, so it works well - you can find atms pretty easily. Getting large notes can be a problem sometimes!

 

[Denali]

I just dont get how the server gets the tip if its paid via credit card. How? I prefer to leave the money there and it goes into his/her pocket.

I also prefer to arrive with cash and use Aussie Post as well - except for that one Travelex time and I got stuck with old/no longer legal tender UK money

 

[Quickstatus]

No fee for AusPost either. Its all built into the currency conversion rate
And I like that our little post office gets a bit of the commission as well.

Auspost foreign Cash exchange rate today AUD/USD = 0.7185

Today I also made a purchase from the USA. The OFX.com rate (net of fees) was 0.7298

Interbank (bigboys) rate 0.7557

....

I just dont get how the server gets the tip if its paid via credit card. How? I prefer to leave the money there and it goes into his/her pocket.

I also prefer to arrive with cash and use Aussie Post as well - except for that one Travelex time and I got stuck with old/no longer legal tender UK money

At the end of the shift its paid in Cash, some dodgy ones deduct the credit card merchant fee

 

[Flying mermaid]

No fee for AusPost either. Its all built into the currency conversion rate
And I like that our little post office gets a bit of the commission as well.

Auspost foreign Cash exchange rate today AUD/USD = 0.7185

Today I also made a purchase from the USA. The OFX.com rate (net of fees) was 0.7298

Interbank rate 0.7557

the Citibank rate when you draw cash is pretty close to the interbank rate. That’s what I mean by no fees. So if I go onto xecom and check the rate that is pretty close to what I get when I draw cash and when I use my 28 degrees card as well. The risk is that if there is a big devaluation then I have no hedge against that, but that hasn’t happened in ages. I also don’t need to guess how much I need - I can quickly transfer to the Citibank account if it looks like I am going to need more money.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I just dont get how the server gets the tip if its paid via credit card. How? I prefer to leave the money there and it goes into his/her pocket.

i don’t like travelling with too much cash so for e.g. at game reserves in Africa I would add the tip to the credit card bill at the end and I trust they will give the money to the people. Well I know they do, as our ranger in Singita a few years ago emailed us to thank us. Restaurants where the tips are smaller cash works best.

 

[Flashback]

i will second that - we stayed at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. We booked a year in advance. We got two rooms without any problem, but all the nicest ones were gone. The booking agent told me that they had a lot of people who returned every year. We loved the Grand Canyon. An interesting walk - a few km, where they have info on the various rock formations at regular points and you can look out and see them. They are re-establishing condors and we were lucky enough to see them.

If condors are your thing then take a trip to Colca Canyon in Peru and visit Cruz del Condor, very cool!

there is no exchange fee with Citibank plus, so it works well - you can find atms pretty easily. Getting large notes can be a problem sometimes!

No ATM withdrawal fee either, which is hard to find in the US.

 

[Denali]

I have AFF trophies?

 

[Flying mermaid]

I have AFF trophys?

me too - I was just about to go and work out what they were. I never got a trophy at school, so it just shows it’s never too late

 

[Denali]

Made my August booking for Warracknabeal Motor Inn to celebrate my 50th... go ahead be jealous.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Made my August booking for Warracknabeal Motor Inn to celebrate my 50th... go ahead be jealous.

Well I am jealous that you are only 50

 

[Denali]

Ha. My husband was suppose to arrange a trip to Alaska...dont see that happening.

 

[support]

I have AFF trophies?

me too - I was just about to go and work out what they were. I never got a trophy at school, so it just shows it’s never too late

Something new we’ve been working on to alert members to new privileges as they receive them.

They went live this afternoon along with a new help page on the user titles available.