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Post by shywriter on Apr 28, 2007 19:59:36 GMT -5
(me yesterday thru til Wednesday) (I think people call these things "vacations," but as family duties are involved, it's more like "escape & evade..." )~ ~
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Post by intstebri on Apr 28, 2007 23:53:41 GMT -5
(me yesterday thru til Wednesday) Lucky you! mine will be over tomorrow (big sigh). HAVE FUN!
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Post by spikeloud on Apr 29, 2007 11:03:39 GMT -5
i could really use a vacation...if i had the money
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Post by dzero on May 1, 2007 10:35:21 GMT -5
i could really use a vacation...if i had the money I think lot's of people are going to be skipping vacations this summer. Gas prices are insane, $3.49 at my local station
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Post by mari on May 1, 2007 12:32:51 GMT -5
Gas prices are insane, $3.49 at my local station I hope you’re not talking about prizes for a litre here? A litre of super was 1, 35 € (1,85 $) last week, making me pay nearly 50 € (68$) for filling a little Twingo and probably has gone up since.
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Post by lisa316 on May 1, 2007 13:05:34 GMT -5
Gas prices are insane, $3.49 at my local station A litre of super was 1, 35 € (1,85 $) last week, making me pay nearly 50 € (68$) for filling a little Twingo and probably has gone up since. I did the math for everybody In Los Angeles, gas is $3.50 a gallon, or $.92 a litre. In Germany, gas is $1.85 a litre, or $7.00 a gallon! Yikes!Slightly cheaper in Oregon (about $3.20/gallon) but still higher than it has ever been.
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Post by dzero on May 1, 2007 13:19:12 GMT -5
I did the math for everybody In Los Angeles, gas is $3.50 a gallon, or $.92 a litre. In Germany, gas is $1.85 a litre, or $7.00 a gallon! Yikes!Slightly cheaper in Oregon (about $3.20/gallon) but still higher than it has ever been. LOL beat me too it. Found this site which will calculate the differences between liters - gallons - ounces etc.. www.paulnoll.com/Oregon/Cooking/number-liters.html and it's a site from Oregon What a coinky-dink $7.00 per gallon? Seriously if it cost that much here there would be rioting in the streets. Anyways my last fill up cost me $31.21 for 8.919 gallons
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Post by mari on May 1, 2007 17:26:01 GMT -5
I did the math for everybody In Los Angeles, gas is $3.50 a gallon, or $.92 a litre. In Germany, gas is $1.85 a litre, or $7.00 a gallon! Yikes!Slightly cheaper in Oregon (about $3.20/gallon) but still higher than it has ever been. Thank you, Lisa! ;D Me and math (I better shouldn’t mention that I give math-lessons ) I wish I could just drive over and buy fuel at your prizes just like many people here go to France and Switzerland...
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Post by spikeloud on May 2, 2007 10:44:29 GMT -5
just got the news..... my work is laying off a bunch of us... my last day will be july 2nd
i'm a little frazzled right now.
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Post by Aerie on May 9, 2007 3:11:34 GMT -5
That is crummy news. I wish a driving job would come along for you. It will eventually, just keep looking. And you must look relaxed and confident when you go on interviews. I'm all bummed tonight - there's a terrible fire in Los Angeles and the smoke and the fiery sky kept me home. It has been hot and very windy here. Perfect weather for a wild fire. It's about 15 miles from my house, but I'm worried about the bird sanctuary, the zoo, the Greek Theater and the Griffith Park Observatory. They just spent millions of dollars and two long years completely renovating the Observatory and Planetarium. You can see the Observatory with the fire about a mile and a half away in the background.
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Post by dzero on May 9, 2007 23:40:29 GMT -5
It's about 15 miles from my house, but I'm worried about the bird sanctuary, the zoo, the Greek Theater and the Griffith Park Observatory. They just spent millions of dollars and two long years completely renovating the Observatory and Planetarium. You can see the Observatory with the fire about a mile and a half away in the background. Am I the only one who thinks somebody was pissed over the observatorie's new advanced reservations policy . ;D ;D ;D Just a little joke Aerie On a serious note, Bird Sanctuary? Really? Is this part of the Zoo? I've never heard of it . And no mention of that little "train park" or whatever the hell it's called, that place rocks
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Post by AngelZ on May 13, 2007 20:00:50 GMT -5
Doing a bit of research for my trip to La La Land and Vegas next month and need some advice on that peculiar US custom of tipping. We only really tip in good restaurants and the occassional taxi down here and even then it's a personal choice. Could someone please fill me in on tipping etiquette so that I don't get spat on by a disgruntled porter. On a previous trip to Vegas Mr AngelZ had a car door slammed on him when he didn't produce a tip for the doorman fast enough. Apparently when you've got both hands full of bags you're supposed to grow a third arm just for handing out tips.
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Post by Mia22 on May 13, 2007 21:07:24 GMT -5
Hmmm well you know you need to share the types of places you’re staying at because tipping is all about staying within the price range you’re staying in. (this only applies for Vegas with me asking since I know nada about LA). LA and Vegas however seem to be on the NY tipping scale, so on average 20% of your bill (or cab ride), 15 if you had bad service, you can go as low as ten, but ummm I wouldn’t do that if you need to have any further contact with them. If you go to places like I do (as in not up there price wise), a buck, occasionally two per drink while out, if the place is crowded a bigger tip at the start and then the smaller tips with each new round (I’ve never done this, but guys I’m with frequently do, girls shouldn’t ever have to do that, however married women…Well, I don’t know how friendly Mr. Angelz wants you getting with the bartenders. ). As for doormen, valets, bellhop, I’m a two to five bucks girl, all depending on what service they provided for me. You actually just reminded me, I need to hit up the bank before I go away this week. Why can’t ATMS come with a singles or at least fives option? Also going to remember to keep them readily available after your door slamming incident. Oh you’re also supposed to tip housekeeping when you leave, which when I was in Vegas I threw a hissy fit over since she was an evil witch that woke us up every morning, starting at 8 banging on every door in our very long corridor. People that make loud noises at 8am while others are in bed, especially in Vegas should have their heads rammed through a wall. Jeez, I’m not still bitter over that am I? And seriously I’m jealous again over a Vegas trip while I’m going away. Random: I know people who tip 25%, but I think they're crazy. Over 20 is only for people who see me on a regular basis and could screw me over, like hairdresser, eyebrow lady, and nail person. Or bartender who gives free drinks or waiters that give free desserts or drinks or the cabbie that gets you to your destination on time, when you probably shouldn't have made it.
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Post by AngelZ on May 14, 2007 4:09:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the tipping advice - wow, it's a lot to remember! I wasn't sure with the housekeeping staff whether you were supposed to tip everyday or at the end. If you don't see the maid on your last day, how do you leave the tip? With a note? If you just leave money lying around how do they know to take it? Like you say, I will need to be prepared with lots of change beforehand. Now there likes a dilemma - where do porters and doormen think that an international traveller is going to get change for a tip when they've just got off a plane? Like ATM's, exchange services here and at airports don't give you small currency. The funny thing about the door slamming incident was that the guy WAS going to get a tip - he was just a bit too hasty in his judgement. He won't be retiring early with that kind of attitude. Re accomodation - I believe that we're staying somewhere that's quite shi shi - so I guess re tipping I will need to err on the higher side.
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Post by dzero on May 14, 2007 11:36:53 GMT -5
Here is a link to a poker forum and below I'll post probably the best post from that thread. The thread was started by someone like you , a non American visiting Vegas asking for tipping advice. It's geared towards poker players but covers all tipping. The responses can sometimes be heated, showing what a touchy subject this can be ( as Mr AngelZ found out ;D ). On my recent trip there I found that tips were greatly appreciated and could get you better/friendlier service, but I never saw anything like what happened to Mr AngelZ, never saw anything nasty like that. forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=10146267&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your quick tipping guide for Las Vegas (and the US in general) People you don't need to tip generally, these are the people who are not waiting on you so much as minding the store. Hotel clerks and cashiers. People you can tip, but no big deal if you don't Poker room chip runner, poker room brush(*), bell captain (the guy who runs the cab stand outside a hotel), restaurant maitre d'(*) waiters 15-20% of the total bill at restaurants room service the same 15-20%, but generally the hotel is already adding on a gratuity percentage - look for this itemized on the bill and make up only the difference cab drivers $2-$5 (10% or so) depending on the length of the ride, advice given, entertaining stories (do engage your Las Vegas cab drivers in conversation, they are generally full of good stories), etc. bartenders $1-2 per round of drinks, more if you ordered a big round or the bar is crowded and you want another round later without excessive wait cocktail waitress at table $1 standard, go higher if you are looking for a special drink or more frequent service poker dealers $1 per pot standard other dealers place a bet for them once or twice during your play bell boy I tip $5 for bringing bags to the room, but I usually carry them myself valet parking $2-$5 coat check $1 per coat hotel concierge nothing for simple assistance, $5 or more for making something happen for you spa masseuse, barber, hairdresser 15% or so strippers if you are sitting next to a stage, tip each girl at least a $1-2. If you are paying for lap dances, no need to tip, but an add-on for good dances is a nice gesture. strip club bouncers I'm paying admission, I see no need. But some do it regularly to avoid hassle or get what they consider good seats. club bouncers I hate waiting in line for clubs, and will tip $20 if I really want in and I know it's getting me in. But that's me. This is my opinion, and it will probably cause some debate (tiping always does) but it should not be so far off from most people's custom. (*) these people may be able to provide special services sometimes, so a tip might be in order I wasn't sure with the housekeeping staff whether you were supposed to tip everyday or at the end. If you don't see the maid on your last day, how do you leave the tip? With a note? If you just leave money lying around how do they know to take it? Probably have different cleaners on different days so everyday would be the way to go. Having said that I am embarrassed to admit I usually forget to tip them because am never there when they are cleaning. Also for fun you might try this www.frontdesktip.com/ might work for you .
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