I don't do tips. If I like a meal and the service provided I perform a couple of awesome riffs for the staff and other clientele. That means more to them than money.
**** to paying someone for doing their job because their employers are skinflints. I only tip if the service is exceptional.
In the US, most servers are essentially self employed, you don’t tip, they don’t eat. Their costs aren’t built into to the price you’re paying for the food, so you’ve a moral obligation to pay imo. I don’t like the entire premise personally, but it is what it is, so you have to go with it. Otherwise you’re a ****
Honestly, that's how it should be, and I'd rather go to a non-tipping bar/restaurant and pay more than one that expects tips... But I'm not going to be the one not tipping when it's expected to make a decent wage. I know back when grocery stores expected tips in the US I went to the chain that forbid their staff from accepting tips, even though it cost more. (Now, that's all grocery stores though). It used to be obnoxious though when first moved here... You would get hounded every time by people wanting to carry bags out to your car... I can do it myself, I'd rather do it myself! Not just because I don't want to pay you a dollar, but because I don't want to deal with your presence whilst I walk to my car.
I lived in Park Slope for 8 months doing a post-grad mental health project. Loved NYC, brilliant city with a great positive vibe. I did all the usual tourist stuff during the first few weeks I was there. But after that I used to hang out mainly in Prospect Park, at the cafe in the botanical gardens, the cafes and bars along 7th Ave and Flatbush Ave. Weekends I used to get the subway out to Rockaway beach and go to this brilliant restaurant by the cross bay bridge right on the waterfront. Best Clam Chowder in New York. And Coney Island was always good fun. When I was there, they were just beginning to recognise that Coney Island was a national treasure after decades of neglect, so there was a big drive to preserve and renovate the place.
Bit late to tell you this but best way of seeing Statue of Liberty etc. is the Staten Island ferry. Very cheap too, a good morning or afternoon out. Have a pizza and beer on Staten Island and get a great view of Manhattan. Soz!!!
Blue Point Toasted Lager superb stuff as was Anchor Steam Beer on draft. Also had this which was voted best beer in the world at one point.
It confirmed my opinion which was only based on imported beer until this trip that American beer is the best in the world.
Yeah, couldn't remember whether it was that or the HK Star ferry that was free (also must do and excellent). They can't ramp prices as it's a commuter trip. Just hop on, have a superb view of the city and statue on the way out and back and spend an hour or so on Staten Island. Really worth doing. The ferry port area is decent too.
Yep best views of The Statue of Liberty. Also really interesting to get a perspective on the Battery and lower Manhattan. I was there pre 2001, so the twin towers were still standing. They were a magnificent sight and as iconic as the Empire state, Chysler or Flat Iron buldings.
Only time I ever went into work voluntarily was when the 2nd plane hit, I just got my kit on and went. Emotional stuff listening to the survivors who now volunteer there.
I thought he was a sous chef who worked for @Robby202 That’s what he claimed. Regardless, anyone who doesn’t tip underpaid staff doing a good job is a bit of a ****.
