Many threads on this one ... it's 15%-20%.

That's just the way their economy works. Relatively low-paid staff make it up with tips, if they're good - and the IRS taxes them on expected tips anyway. That's one reason you tend to get good service.

A good friend is a restaurant manager, I've been well briefed. ;)

:D

If you leave less than 15% they'll spit in your food the next time you come.

I think it's technically allowed to tip on the pre-tax total, but that's your only out.

20% if they are very good.

You just have to get over it and accept that the prices on the menu are like 25%-30% less than what you'll end up paying with tax + servce.

:eek:

I'll make sure they know I'm Scottish.

I thought the purpose of this thread was to ascertain why people like going to the U.S.

The O.P specifically stated it was not a bash the Yanks thread.

Its simple really, whatever country you visit, you respect that country, you are a visitor. If you dont like it, dont go back, better still do some homework and dont go in the first place.

Welcome to FT rkvalvaa

I do like going back to the the west coast, including Yellowstone and the Tetons NP. Seattle is my favourite city and I love the Napa Valley and CA in general. I'd also consider another break in NYC.

I guess past experiences, fantastic national parks, the weather and ease of getting round pulls me back to these places and not other US cities or countries in the world. Plus there's always more places to see that I didn't see last time!

Having visited the bit in the middle of the US, where most people fly over, I found it to be an amazing part of the Country.

While Rapid City, South Dakota is a tourist trap, the country it is surrounded by is fantastic, the people are exceedingly friendly and helpful too.

Our luggage was temporarily misplaced, due to us missing a connecting flight at Denver, from Vegas yet the only airline rep at the airport at the time was from NWA, while we were flying Frontier. Not a problem to this guy, they all muck in for each other, and it seemed to me to be typical of "Smalltown, USA". It proved to be a common theme throughout or visit to see Mount Rushmore, as it was surrounded by fog for 2 days! and the hotel staff, and the Rushmore centre staff were very helpful for our family in finally sighting the Monument.

I'd be more than happy to go back again.

Also having visited Vegas, Chicago, and NYC, I've felt safer in all of them than London, which I find a depressing place yet it has a lot of decent attractions that make you go there.

The two things I don't get about the US are
1) Drugs adverts on TV. Is everyone ill?
2) The amount of Churches there are, but then I don't "do" religion.

1. Almost everyone speaks English (except for parts of Miami and Souther California)
2. Service at restaurants and most shops are great.
3. Many merchandise items are cheaper (laptops, cloths, etc)
4. Shops usually open for longer hours
5. It is easy to find food that does not look or taste foreign and it is also easy to find food that does look or taste foreign.
6. In certain parts of the US like Florida, it is a real boost to the ego as everyone around is so large, you feel like Britain Next Top Model

Familiarity also help to entice one to go back as it feels like a second home. We do NYC about twice a year and LAS about one a year and it really does feel like home when visiting. You know where the restaurants are, when to buy your toiletries, where to buy late night snacks when you feel peckish.

Good point. I'd add to that the vast majority of disabled parking spaces are used just for that - disabled parking - unlike here in the UK.

They also have a lower age for senior citizens to get discount. Some places you can qualify at age 55 - my parents loved getting a breakfast for about $3.50!!

Interesting question -- I live in the states so vacation here a lot. I have the same question sometimes. Why are there so many English in the overcrowded vacation spots like San Diego and disney world and Sea World? If you live here, particularly on the west coast, you sort of do these things for long weekends and stuff because they are close and you can drive, and they are easy. But getting to Anaheim from London is like flying to Asia from the US. Why do you do it? If I could take a train to Nice or a short flight to Copenhagen or Istanbul, I don't expect you'd see me in disney land. Though I expect the dollar is a big draw. Also, a two week holiday from national park to national park and including the Grand Canyon, maybe with a detour up to Banff and Lake Louise, seem like a one-time holiday that perhaps rivals any trip to any part of the world.

Edited to remove some snark.

Yeah but they really throw the book at you in the USA for parking in a disabled spot, not just give you a slap on the wrist as they do here.

If I were going to Copenhagen, Nice or Istanbul I'd want to leave the kids at home.

Also UK theme parks are crap.

I bet the number of Brits flying to Orlando outnumbers those in Anaheim 10 to 1 anyway.

I believe you should view the United States a little like you should view 'Europe'. Many differences between the states and a few consistent similarities. I am no fan of TX for instance. To summarize (the states I have been to):

Excellent:
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
CONNECTICUT
MASSACHUSETTS
MONTANA
NEVADA
NEW YORK (also upstate)
OREGON
UTAH
VERMONT
WASHINGTON

Good:
HAWAII
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
RHODE ISLAND

OK:
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
MAINE

Less than OK:
KENTUCKY
LOUISIANA (except for New Orleans which is great)
MISSISSIPPI
TEXAS
TENNESSEE

With sincere apologies to any state I forgot. :)

I'm very glad to hear you visited Rapid City and the Black Hills. If you ever go back, there is an annual Volksmarch the first weekend in June, where one can walk up to the face of the Crazy Horse Memorial. It's about 5 miles round trip with some elevation gain (and at elevation), but anyone in reasonable health can do it (I've seen 80-year-olds and 5-year-olds do it). Also, try Armadillo's Ice Cream in Rapid City.

They probably spit in your food preemptively if you're Scottish! :D