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CURRENCY

 

With many currencies, the smallest coin is the least valuable and the biggest the most valuable.  This is not true in the U.S.  The "dime" (worth 10 cents or 1 / 10 of a dollar) is smaller in size than the penny (one cent or 1 / 100 of a dollar).

 

TIPPING

 

It is customary in America to leave a gratuity when served by one of the following:

 

·        Server at a "sit down" (full service, not fast food) restaurant: (normally 15% to 20% of the cost of the meal, but more for exceptional service and as little as zero is service is miserable) At "sit down" restaurants where a meal is not expensive, such as breakfasts or light lunches, tips are usually toward the high end of the range.  At restaurants that with self-serve buffet meals, a tip at the smaller end of the range is left if a service person is helpful is serving beverages, offering advice and taking away plates and utensils.

·        Restaurant host: (at least a dollar up to several dollars upon being seated if service is exceptional).

·        Taxicab and limousine drivers: (normally 10% to 20% of the  cost, but usually at least a dollar).

·        Hotel doorman: (at least a dollar for advice or for retrieving an automobile and a dollar a bag for loading or unloading an auto).

·        Hotel bell person: (one to two dollars per bag carried to your room).

·        Hotel concierge: (at least a dollar, but usually several dollars depending on the value of the information given).

·        Ushers at theaters or sports venues: (at least a dollar up to a few dollars if service is exceptional).

·        Van drivers for hotels (a dollar or more is service is exceptional, especially is bags are handled).

·        Hotel housekeepers (a dollar or more per day per person, depending on the quality of the cleaning of the room). The tip is usually left in cash on the room's desk when your stay at the hotel is finished.

·        Hairdressers and barbers: (usually 15% or more of the cost, depending on quality of service).

 

At restaurants, when payment is by credit card, tips are usually added to the credit card receipt.  When payment at a restaurant is in cash, the tip is left in cash at an inconspicuous place on the table.  With other tips, the tip is presented to the person in cash at the time of service, except for hotel housekeepers.

 

SALES TAXES

 

Sales taxes are levied on most purchases in the U.S.  The tax is added to the listed price.  So if a person purchases something with a listed price of $9.95, the final after-tax amount needed for the purchase is likely to be more than $10.