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Post by sherri on Dec 29, 2016 22:05:34 GMT
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Post by DADDY O on Dec 29, 2016 22:43:32 GMT
Sherri - I can't seem to get the link to work.
What's a 'toilet gap"?
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Post by sherri on Dec 30, 2016 6:12:02 GMT
A gap between door and side wall, so you can see a little bit through the gap.
I must say (though this is going back away to 1979) my American friend when she was over here was most impressed with toilets, of all things. Said they were clean and made to last. LOL
She never mentioned gaps in some American toilets but a friend of mine (Sue) did.
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Post by sherri on Dec 30, 2016 6:14:25 GMT
The link won't click for me either. No idea why.
But if you highlight and copy it, you can then paste the address into a new page and it should then open-did for me anyway.
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Post by DADDY O on Dec 30, 2016 9:53:07 GMT
OK..............Saw it. Pretty cute & funny.
Let me answer some of the questions..
1. Back To The Future - Not sure about that one unless you visit Arkansas or Mississippi?
2. Tipping - Waitresses get less than minimum wage as a base salary. They supplement their pay with tips. If they do a good job, you tip them 15% of the bill. If they do a bad job, you tip them less. If they are horrible, don't tip them at all. Never put money into a tip jar unless it is for one person and he/she controls the jar. Anything else, you are throwing your money away. You tip waitresses (15%), baggage handlers ($1 per bag, unless it is my wife who always over-packs, then I'll tip $2 per bag), taxi drivers if they got you there by the shortest route and handled your bags (15%). Not too many more people to tip than that.
3. Gaps in Bathroom Stalls - They are required under the ADA (American Disabilities Act). This is so a handicapped person can be partially seen "rescued" if needed. The gaps are usually small and one cannot see much inside, other than if the user has fallen to the floor. Bathrooms are sexually private, However, now that we have LGBT legislation, that has all changed. Even Max can get into women's bathrooms these days....just has to say he's a Tranny (and who would not believe that?)
4. Electricity - The "Electricity" doesn't flow unless you plug something in........just don't stick your finger into the socket.
5. Prescription Drug Ads - I agree with that assessment. The ads are supposed to reduce costs of prescriptions, but I think it only increases them. After all, someone has to pay for those ads.
6. KMart - KMart is just about out of business in the USA. WallMart and Target pretty well did them in. If you can find one (hard to do), they are dirty and crappy.
7. Guns - Although they might sell guns in unusual places, you cannot buy a gun without a license, which takes three days minimum, and a criminal background check.....unless you have Concealed Handgun License, then you walk out with it.
8. Taxes - Taxes, or Sales Tax on items is not listed because it varies from location to location. Some States have no sales tax, they have a State Income Tax instead. Most States do have a sales tax to pay for infrastructure improvements, schools, etc. These States also allow Counties and Cities to add on tax for their public services like police, fire, etc. Usually the Sales tax is around 6%, but can be as high as 10%.
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Post by sherri on Dec 30, 2016 11:47:47 GMT
Travelling back in time-just refers to the time difference. From here, we're going back to the day before.
Gap in toilets. Not necessary. You can see feet under a door, if anyone collapsed to the floor, you would see them. Disabled have their own toilet, usually a lot bigger than a normal stall.
Sales tax. We have it, currently 10% though could go up. But all retail outlets are required by law to add it to the price of the appropriate goods before they are put out for sale. The docket you get will then show total price paid and how much of that is GST. There is GST charged on food, but not if it is eg fresh fruit, meat etc. Put it in a can or do anything to it and the GST goes on it. But when you see a price, that is the price you will be charged.
Kmart is going well here (I think). They tried a new strategy. They announced they would have no sales. But that prices would be cheap everyday. Then they kept to their word. There's a whole cult now built around Kmart items that can be re-done or used in different applications. Got their own facebook page etc  My daughter swears by Kmart for kids cardigans, stuff like that. You need to understand having no sales is a very different strategy, very novel here as apparently we Australians are so used to sale prices we usually refuse to pay full price for anything any more.
Oh & whoever put that webpage together can't be a proper Australian. No one in their right mind puts vegemite on that thickly. It's a travesty. 
Your money really is mega boring though, that bit's true. Get with a bit of variety and colour!!  |
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Post by granty on Dec 30, 2016 19:53:29 GMT
The one thing I don't like about the USA is the tipping system.
I feel intimidated when I go for something to eat, the way the waiters suck up to you, and try to get you to buy more food or drink. Because the more you buy, the bigger the tip.
I know it's their culture, but it's not mine. I like to enjoy myself without being pestered. I always tip when I go for a curry, but it's not mandatory over here.
And while I'm on a rant, I reckon some of those waiters must be on an absolute fortune.
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Post by sherri on Dec 30, 2016 22:04:53 GMT
Tipping is not compulsory here either, although if you went to a fine dining restaurant at night, you may leave a tip. Generally in cafes and such during the day, no.
It is so much not a part of our culture that quite a few cruise lines removed tipping from their Australian itineraries. Presumably the cost is added into the fares as we pay more for cruises than our American cousins do, but to me that is okay. I believe all people should get a reasonable wage & it should be based on the work, not the customer.
I'm not fond of too much sucking up either. Timely service is an expectation, not something extra. But apart from that, don't really want waiters around too much.
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Post by granty on Dec 31, 2016 17:06:47 GMT
Clothes are mega cheap over there. I bought myself a pair of Levi 511 jeans over there for forty dollars, about 30 pound
I priced the same pair last week in the Levi shop over here, 90 pound.
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Post by sherri on Dec 31, 2016 21:16:14 GMT
You wouldn't want to see the prices here.
Last night (New years eve) I had a laugh. We had friends over & they were telling us about their trip to Vietnam a couple of years back. They had some shoes & clothes custom made. They do it very well over there, and at a great price too, it is a common method of buying things. Measure you up and all ready next day.
The husband had some sort of shoe or sneaker made to measure for practically nothing and they asked-Now, do you want Nike on that?
Apparently they are very comfy & are lasting well, but he didn't bother with having the Nike logo added. |
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Post by mrp on Jan 1, 2017 5:35:13 GMT
The one thing I don't like about the USA is the tipping system.
I feel intimidated when I go for something to eat, the way the waiters suck up to you, and try to get you to buy more food or drink. Because the more you buy, the bigger the tip.
I know it's their culture, but it's not mine. I like to enjoy myself without being pestered. I always tip when I go for a curry, but it's not mandatory over here.
And while I'm on a rant, I reckon some of those waiters must be on an absolute fortune.This is what happens when you don't tip: "The Sopranos - Paulie and Chrissy hit a waiter with a brick" |
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Post by lola on Jan 3, 2017 12:05:22 GMT
You wouldn't want to see the prices here.
Last night (New years eve) I had a laugh. We had friends over & they were telling us about their trip to Vietnam a couple of years back. They had some shoes & clothes custom made. They do it very well over there, and at a great price too, it is a common method of buying things. Measure you up and all ready next day.
The husband had some sort of shoe or sneaker made to measure for practically nothing and they asked-Now, do you want Nike on that?
Apparently they are very comfy & are lasting well, but he didn't bother with having the Nike logo added. I would love to have a certain outfit made up in lighter brighter colours for the son's wedding in April (for Bali)....seems everything I have is all Melbourne dark and black colours. I said, I need to go to Cairns to shop for bright summer outfits, or maybe Vietnam or Bali, where they make it so fast and cheap. It's stressful, things are not cheap here as you know Sherri. I can't wear black or white I am told, or cream, or dark blue. So I show this pink floral dress I bought recently, and they thought it was the dress to wear. Firstly, I hate wearing dresses, secondly, I am going to look like a vase of flowers amidst the green lush backdrop of Bali. I bet all the guests will look better than me, being the groom's mother  Oh, and I didn't quite like the tipping system over in USA either, I get told, their wages are so low, they depend on it, so I think, why not pay them more to stop the hoping and begging for tips from strangers all the time? How embarrassing. I don't have to tip in Bali do I? |
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Post by sherri on Jan 3, 2017 21:15:27 GMT
You would look lovely in a deep pink. You can wear what is called winter white (off white) and greyed navy but I know what you mean, you will be in Bali so you want something a bit more tropical. |
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Post by freon on Jan 7, 2017 15:01:42 GMT
I was playing the pokies in a casino in Vegas and paying the waitress for my beer
after about the third or forth beer she says "your not from around here are you, you are tipping me to much"
I said well seven or eight bucks for the beer the rest is tip, her answer was 'The beer is free"
well she looked after me for the rest of the night
I have been to the states twice and both times have found the people to be
very polite and friendly
cheers
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Post by DADDY O on Jan 7, 2017 15:11:57 GMT
Was it the tipping......or the accent that tipped her off (no pun intended), or maybe just your dazzling personality? I'm guessing all of the above.
Thank you for that post. It is nice to hear.
Usually what I hear is "Americans are the Ugly Americans" when they travel abroad. Perhaps those who can afford to do it are more of an asshole than those who work for a living in the States?
Any thoughts anyone?
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, tipping, added tax when you go to buy (a real downer!), guns, tipping!!
