Anything & Everything New York (PART 2) - [please search thread before posting]

phatbear

markymoo wrote: »

Think about it though, if an american tourist comes to the UK, and breaks british customs (customs, culture), then we'd sure as hell let them know.

When i was young and single i spent many an evening trying to convince attractive young american ladies there were certain customs in the UK which they may not be aware of, and oddly my suggestion that they may wish to follow protocol and undertake such customs often fell on deaf ears, odd that.

greenface

funny what we do and dont tip and expectations for tipping ?? i go to my local boozer order a pint and Mrs Faces and tell them "one for yourselves" they take 20 or 30p put it in the jar with nearly every other person the serve. Other places are starting to pocket £1 etc. I dont mind im not tight but thats the last time i will say that to them for the rest of the night. But if im out with Mrs Face i order a drink each which normally costs around 5 or 6 quid and stick a 20% tip on top thats about a quid which when away you think is accepable. strange could be holiday mode etc. But on the same rant a barstaff or waitress takes about 1 minute to serve you and seem to expect a tip for their services but when was the last time you thought of tipping the cashier in Asda or Tescos or the shoe shop for the 4/5 minutes helping you with your food/shoes

Stephb1986_2

I've got a bit of a problem I'm due to go to New York in 8 weeks time, My OH is going for his visa interview on friday morning as he has a criminal record, The problem is if they say no that he isn't allowed to come with me then I will have to go on my own. I am only 23 and I'm a girl, do you think I would be ok on my own or should I try to find a replacement?

Steph xx

M4RKM

You'll be fine. Like any big city, just be sensible. don't walk down dark streets at night, keep to the main streets. NYC is the safest big city in the USA. Millions of people, many like yourself use the subway daily, to get to work, to go out and socialise...

I travel alone, i know it's different for me, as i'm a bloke, but still, I have a great time, but you do have to enjoy your own company, you do have to be able to strike up a conversation with a random stranger when in a bar or it can be rather a lonely experience.

If your OH can't go, and you want to find someone to join you, remember, that they will have to get their own plane ticket, as you probably can't change the name on OH's.

M

phatbear

Stephb1986 wrote: »

I am only 23 and I'm a girl, do you think I would be ok on my own or should I try to find a replacement?

Steph xx

Having someone on stand by would'nt hurt really you need someone with a current ESTA and passport etc etc ermmmm do you like bears???

M4RKM

greenface wrote: »

funny what we do and dont tip and expectations for tipping ?? i go to my local boozer order a pint and Mrs Faces and tell them "one for yourselves" they take 20 or 30p put it in the jar with nearly every other person the serve. Other places are starting to pocket £1 etc. I dont mind im not tight but thats the last time i will say that to them for the rest of the night. But if im out with Mrs Face i order a drink each which normally costs around 5 or 6 quid and stick a 20% tip on top thats about a quid which when away you think is accepable. strange could be holiday mode etc. But on the same rant a barstaff or waitress takes about 1 minute to serve you and seem to expect a tip for their services but when was the last time you thought of tipping the cashier in Asda or Tescos or the shoe shop for the 4/5 minutes helping you with your food/shoes

One thing I find with bartenders in NYC who work for their tips, and I do tip, is that when I wander back in later that day/night/week/year they recognise me, they say hello straight away, even if they are serving someone else, and they remember what I drink. This can be a day later, 3 days later, 6 months later, but they still remember.

I know bartenders as soon as they see me to give me a drink free (buyback) and that's before I've actually purchased one, and these buybacks come frequent, normally every 3-4 drinks... this time, on my last day in NYC I was propped up the bar and got my last 2 drinks in a row as a buyback..

They also remember when they see me in March, I'm there for my birthday, (well the ones that i've spoken to many times now over the years that is!) and they convince their friends/locals they know by the bar to buy me shots... (oh yes!)

Sometimes, when a bartender goes off shift, they'll top up my glass that i've currently got, or put a upturned shotglass to tell the next bartender i'm due a buyback too... there are so many little things like this that make it a different experience.

It's rare that I can go into a bar in the UK, and even though I was there a week before, for them to remember me, and even if I'm drinking the same, all night, I still have to order by brand, rather than a "same again". It's as if in NYC they pride themselves on what they do, but across here, it's a case of they are only there to serve me a drink, when I specifically ask for it.

I know that these stories are specifically about boozing, and beer, and alcohol, and probably debauchery, but hey, it's fun, and that's my holiday...


M

M4RKM

phatbear wrote: »

Having someone on stand by would'nt hurt really you need someone with a current ESTA and passport etc etc ermmmm do you like bears???

damn, i was going to offer... now with a bear in the mix I stand no chance!

One more thing... I noticed how steph was wanting a "replacement", now is that a replacment OH she means or just a replacement for someone to go on holiday (joking!!! don't take me seriously!)

cas-kitt

cas-kitt wrote: »

2 weeks and 3 days till our 1st trip to nyc, cannot wait
we are staying at the Beacon hotel, anyone stayed there?
our flight is not direct but with a stop in amsterdam, do we have to collect our luggage an re check in for the onward flight to nyc ?

after re reading past pages on this thread i came across a super report on the Beacon hotel by waxies dargle, (it seems just the ticket for us):D
still a bit concerned with the flight change though, has anyone flown to nyc this route before?

Stephb1986_2

markymoo wrote: »

damn, i was going to offer... now with a bear in the mix I stand no chance!

One more thing... I noticed how steph was wanting a "replacement", now is that a replacment OH she means or just a replacement for someone to go on holiday (joking!!! don't take me seriously!)

LOL I might be after a full replacement depending on his attitude at the moment it stinks and I'm ready to tell him that too!

I like bears, but I get on with most people. I don't really enjoy my own company I feel like a bit of a Billy no mates if I'm shopping on my own

I don't have any friends or close friends as I work from home so I'm a bit of a recluse in that sense. My mum is off to Thailand the day before I go to New York so even she can't come

I'm sure I'll be ok I guess I just hope it doesn't come to me going on my own because New York has always been my dream I'm not giving up on it now.

Steph xx

phatbear

On my last trip I wish I had been on my own, and due to certain "issues" I almost popped back to NY recently on my own.

I can see both sides of the argument as far as travelling alone, sure its nice to share things with the ones you love but they also have a habit of hindering you from doing exactly what you want when you want.

Just go for it and enjoy yourself regardless of the outcome of the interview, NY is one of the safest cities about, and everpresent police tend to help with the feeling of safety.