Here's from the "queen" of the land of tourists some tips that might be
helpful.

Beth

email address: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Deri James
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 5:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Some advice please


Hi all,

Well, me & Lin's, long anticipated visit to the US of A is just
around the corner (Sep 10th), celebrating our 25th Wedding
Anniversary. There are a couple of questions I'd really like advice
on:-

**Just had to say way cool.  Congrads, and have fun over here.  We speak
english, really <grin>

Finance.

I have a Visa Debit (not credit) card, I assume (like over here) it
will be accepted anywhere that says "All major credit cards
accepted", Is this true?


**Usually works really well.  What's money anymore anyways.  You'd be amazed
at where you can use the darn thing.  Just be careful about the ATM's over
here.  If traveling in DC, be warey of the Smithsonian gift shops, some of
them didn't take our debit card and the ATM's were out of order.  My only
complaint.

I am not a seasoned traveller!! What denomination of American Express
Travellers Cheques will be most useful, mainly for paying hotel/B&B
bills?

**Have to disagree with Kyle on this one.  Keep to the 20's with a few 50's.
Larger denominations are often not cheerfully taken by smaller estabishments
as they don't like to keep a lot of money in there till.

Tipping

Always a difficult area if your disabled. The number of people I've
offended by either tipping/not tipping someone who's offered to help
carry my things!! It's Ok in big hotels, stations, etc. where there
are people whose job it is to carry travellers cases, and their low
wages are considerably bolstered by tipping. How much would you give
in that situation? (Here, my boy, here's a dime!!).

**Generally speaking, tip porters about a dollar a bag.  If someone at a
small bed and breakfast helps, get their name, and get them a little thank
you gift if you feel uncomfortable tipping.  That's what's nice about Band
B's.

The problem occurs in smaller Hotels/B&Bs where you may be dealing
with the owner, or one of his family, in reception. Since they do not
employ a porter, but see you struggling with the cases with a
disability, and they offer to help, are you still expected to tip?

The other area I will need to tip, is Bars & Restaurants. Over here
in restaurants you run a bill for the whole evening, settle at the
end and leave a 10% tip on the table if happy with the meal/service
(unless the bill said "Service included", or "Servis Compris"). In
Pubs its different. You pay for a "round" of drinks. If it was a
particularly large round and you've had a nice bit of banter with the
barmaid (and you are a regular) you can offer to buy her a drink.
Then you repeat for each round. Is this the same?

**Usually in restaurants the rule is 15-20% depending on service.  If the
service is really lousy leave a penny.  No drink buying unless it's a girlie
bar.  Some places will let you run a tab with your credit card to hold it.
If you have the same waitress/waiter the whole time there, you can wait
until before you leave to leave a tip.

Fast Food restaurants you never tip, unless there's a waitress
service. Same?

**Fast food joints you'll be doing all the work and won't need to tip.  Some
small mom and pop places may have a tip jar that everyone gets a share of at
the end of a shift but, don't feel obligated unless someone goes out of
their way.

Anyway, I'd be very grateful for your thoughts.


Cheers


Deri