Times they are a-changin

[apennysaved]

So, I moved to the USA from the UK 4 months ago now.

I've been noting about the changes i've noted since moving here.

Some very big ones, some very small and hardly noticeable.

I'll be sharing these here as I found them.


1. Tipping -

Not done alot in England, but very much a big thing here.

I understand it in restaurants , if you receive good service, you leave a tip. I do think 20% of the bill is ALOT to tip tho.

When ordering a drink at the bar, I don't understand this, the guy just poured me a drink, why should I leave a tip?

My wife almost gave a tip to the guy who came to install our internet and tv? I said why???? He's just doing his job, thats he's already being paid for?

Tipping, I don't get it

[apennysaved]

2. Calling petrol, Gas.

Why, its not gas, it's liquid form? haha

[astral276]

Tipping, I don't get it

Not Scottish, are you?

[HerMajesty]

I moved to the UK from the US. May I do a reverse of your post?

Tipping. I get it. Most jobs in the US are covered by minimum wage requirements. For some reason, there are a very few (restaurants - wait staff, at least) that do not have to adhere to it. So, without tips, their wages would not be enough to live on. I don't know why they don't just cover those jobs with minimum wage.....and then if you wanted to tip for extraordinarily good service, you still could. Minimum wage is really not enough to give a very good quality of life, So, people are just used to the idea that you top up the restaurant wages with a tip. Often it is shared with all the staff, all hours, and also kitchen staff, who otherwise would not be getting much.

And gas vs gasoline - we are all about saving time and shortening words!

[apennysaved]

haha,

I believe I have a valid point though...

Not Scottish, are you?

[apennysaved]

Yes i would love you input,

Ok, maybe thats where i'm misunderstanding...

I worked for minimum wage in England when I was younger, I knew the wage when I took the job, and knew thats what I was going to get, nothing else. I guess I felt the same about the people working minimum wage jobs in the USA, they took the job knowing the wage, but they expect more? But if your saying they cannot survive on that wage, then its different...

I moved to the UK from the US. May I do a reverse of your post?

Tipping. I get it. Most jobs in the US are covered by minimum wage requirements. For some reason, there are a very few (restaurants - wait staff, at least) that do not have to adhere to it. So, without tips, their wages would not be enough to live on. I don't know why they don't just cover those jobs with minimum wage.....and then if you wanted to tip for extraordinarily good service, you still could. Minimum wage is really not enough to give a very good quality of life, So, people are just used to the idea that you top up the restaurant wages with a tip. Often it is shared with all the staff, all hours, and also kitchen staff, who otherwise would not be getting much.

And gas vs gasoline - we are all about saving time and shortening words!

[suesjools]

I moved to the UK from the US. May I do a reverse of your post?

Tipping. I get it. Most jobs in the US are covered by minimum wage requirements. For some reason, there are a very few (restaurants - wait staff, at least) that do not have to adhere to it. So, without tips, their wages would not be enough to live on. I don't know why they don't just cover those jobs with minimum wage.....and then if you wanted to tip for extraordinarily good service, you still could. Minimum wage is really not enough to give a very good quality of life, So, people are just used to the idea that you top up the restaurant wages with a tip. Often it is shared with all the staff, all hours, and also kitchen staff, who otherwise would not be getting much.

And gas vs gasoline - we are all about saving time and shortening words!

Agree with HM; having worked as a waitress I can honestly say I survived on tips for several years when I wouldn't have made it otherwise. Of course it makes it a little harder to dine out these days, as unemployment doesn't go far, but I do understand and always try to tip as well as I can on the rare occasions when I do get out.

Having visited London in 2000 I can honestly say I love the UK and would love to go back for a visit again someday or maybe even longer, as 2 weeks wasn't nearly enough time to see half what I wanted to see.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[apennysaved]

Having visited London in 2000 I can honestly say I love the UK and would love to go back for a visit again someday or maybe even longer, as 2 weeks wasn't nearly enough time to see half what I wanted to see.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

Lived in London for most of my last 27 years. Think its a great place. My wife and I are torn, i want to travel alot of the usa, but she has been to most places I want to go, and she wants to travel alot of the uk, which I have seen alot of

[HerMajesty]

Yes i would love you input,

Ok, maybe thats where i'm misunderstanding...

I worked for minimum wage in England when I was younger, I knew the wage when I took the job, and knew thats what I was going to get, nothing else. I guess I felt the same about the people working minimum wage jobs in the USA, they took the job knowing the wage, but they expect more? But if your saying they cannot survive on that wage, then its different...

Yes, people know the wage or hourly rate when the take on a job. However, the restaurant industry is NOT REQUIRED to offer minimum wage (I don't know why). So, people do take on the jobs with the expectation that there will be some degree of tipping to supplement. After tipping, many waitstaff make very good wages, even when sharing with other staff.

[HerMajesty]

One thing I don't get about the UK is why, when you are served a piece of cake, it comes on a napkin, on a plate, with no fork. (Am I the only person who doesn't like frosting on my fingers?)