My thoughts exactly. I always enjoy your posts replying to stupid questions like "Can I cycle across the Rockies in October?" :lol:

But if you misbehave, the locals take it out on the next cycle tourist. For some reason, a recalcitrant motorist doesn't wreck it in the same way for future motorists. I guess the locals don't take the time to distinguish between the strictly self-centered cycle tourists and those who prefer to be good ambassadors for the sport.

I tip the same as I would when not touring. I am not sure why it would even occur to anyone that they would do differently when on tour.

Here's one from a different subforum that's even dumber. Breathtakingly dumb. And unlike this one, I don't think it was a troll.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=563241

Qu'est ce qu'on peut dire?

Whenever I see any cows, of course.

Well, I can be a horse's arse at times, but - -
As for the Rockies in October, this October turned out to be one of the coldest in history.
Here in Wyoming it didn't get above 20 and went below zero - in the flatlands.
My guess was that there were many nights with 30+ below wind chill in the mountains.

but if the locals are too stupid to distinguish between the actions of one person and a group of people with shared interest then i could care less. it's not my job to be ambassador. i don't care how i make the sport of cycling look.

best answer.

/thread.

I don't see anything wrong with his post/question. The key word in his post is "annoying", which _only_ implies personal preference, and nothing more. I find it annoying that there isn't one language for the entire world. I don't think anything should be done about it, but that doesn't not making it annoying.



On tipping, I just tip what I normally would.

Even the OP later blamed it on too many beers!

Then I disagree with him too :P

people almost always tip in the nicer restaurants in England. however, no one tips waiters/waitresses at larger corporations like McDonalds and KFC, where the workers are paid minimum wage.

Let me give you a tip, stop being a dumb a$$.

Heh I was going to complain that the idea of tipping in order that the next bike tourist be treated well is a form of bribery. Not to worry, you've clarified that what's going on is not bribery, it's blackmail.

I don't tip either, on tour or not. It seems America is about the only country where this is important, and I've never toured there. While it seems to be starting to creep in at times here in Australia, I'm not about to jump on that particular band wagon. Besides, I've heard restaurant staff complain that their employer always wants the tips given back to the restaurant anyway.

Oh yeah? Do you have any actual proof of that? Personally, I've never seen any indication of that happening anywhere, either from restaurant staff or motorists. That theory is just an extension of the same old "blame the victim" bull***** that people trot out if ever someone from a minority group is on the receiving end of anti-social behaviour.

Besides, I always thought "misbehaving" involved refusing to pay the stated bill, or drunkenly abusing someone or making a nuisance of yourself in some other way. If I opt out of paying something that is not explicitly stated as being mandatory, or even requested, it hardly constitutes "misbehaving".

I suppose it depends on what type of mental image you want to leave behind. If you stiff the wait staff of their tip, I imagine their image of a bicycle tourist won't be very favorable.

Hi,

from Germany I'm used to round up my bill to the next EUR or max 2 EURs. I really have to force me to tip 15% in the States. I hate this system of tips and sales tax on top of the announced prices. If I have 20 bucks in my wallet and I have to choose something for about 15 bucks because of the hidden price increase. I like non tipping countries like Japan.

Thomas

I agree, Thomas. Why is it that only employees in restaurants and a few other industries are to be tipped? It should be up to the employers to pay their employees a decent wage, not the customers.

Perhaps it should be, but here in the US that isn't the case. Tipping is considered common courtesy here.

I tip my guys at the bike shop because they do a good job and treat me well, but this practice has been dicussed in its own thread.

Agreed. That's why I always tip when I visit the U.S. It does seem ironic, though, that some of those who are most in favor of tipping are the same ones who are launching the rudest of attacks against the OP for daring to even raise the question.

Do you tip sales clerks? Teachers? Carpenters? Bus drivers?

I see no difference on this subject whether I am touring on a bike or traveling by car. If I eat in a restaurant, then I tip because it is part of our culture. Certainly not in McDonalds or other fast food establishments, although I have even tipped someone in a fast food place that was especially helpful and friendly. Other cultures may not expect this practice, that is fine with me.

If you're in a bar in the USA, sitting at the bar (not at a served table) is it customary to tip the bartender when paying for your drink (or leave a tip on the bar when you leave)?

No, but I would tip a carpenter if I needed one, and I'm pretty generous (imo) with taxi drivers; I think theirs is a hard road to travel. We give gifts to our children's teachers, but not any to teachers I study with as an adult. Tips to pick up carryouts are questionable, and I'm relatively cheap on those. I usually tip at only a couple of places I frequent.

BTW to the OP and other subscribers, I hope I didn't hijack this thread, but how much more can you say about tipping in restauarants? I enjoy hearing all viewpoints, but I have learned a succinct conclusion to many of these controversial threads, "To each his own."

You're supposed to, and if you don't, you can expect your next drink to be watered down or--if it's being prepared behind the scenes--it might even be spat in, so think twice before 'stiffing' a barman in the 'good ol' ' U.S.A. :(

I find this to be a fascinating thread. Why are you posting to it if don't like it?

Just wondering.

>While it seems to be starting to creep in at times here in Australia, I'm not about to jump on that particular band wagon.

Yeah, I violently resist it. I object to being handed my change on a little tray, like I'm supposed to leave to some behind. I object to tip glasses in cafes, bakeries, etc. There are all sorts of ways I would prefer to communicate my dis/satisfaction with service than monetarily.

No two ways about it, the American tipping system sucks. You have to obey it while you're there, but you can prevent it spreading elsewhere. And there is evidence that the spread is very harmful. I read somewhere that in some places, teachers are leaving their posts and becoming tour guides, because the tips are far more lucrative than their posts. Now, what is more beneficial to a small community: tour guides, or teachers?

This is unfounded fearmongering. I tended bar in America for years. Bartenders in general have a high tolerance for jerks. You'd have to be quite a pr1ck to cause one to spit in your drink, and it takes more effort to dilute a drink or pour a short shot in many cases than not. Tipping as-you-go may buy you a little more attention from the barkeep, but plenty of people put it in their payout, too.

The best way is to tip on the 1st drink to make sure he'll keep an eye out for you later on, then add whatever you think is appropriate when you finally pay out.

That said, I had some pretty diluted and crappy Whiskey con Limons in "good ol'" Barcelona, and I'm a fine tipper. I wonder what that bartender's excuse was...?