The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

Baz_2

I think Stoneman is a bit generous there.

$1 per bag for the bellboy and 10-15% for taxis and waiters.

But as has been said, its up to you how much you tip.

stoneman

May

Baz wrote: »

I think Stoneman is a bit generous there.

$1 per bag for the bellboy and 10-15% for taxis and waiters.

But as has been said, its up to you how much you tip.

Don't even think about 10% for waiters:eek:
I hear you Baz, but I was making sure Fatboy was staying on the good side of everyone, because we all know that a Vegas trip can be sooooo much better if you tip well. I just love the way people will kiss your !!!! for a couple of dollars;)

stoneman

May

fatboy88 wrote: »

thanks stoneman

will have to get a load of 1 dollar bills to take with me

yeah, we load up and call it our beggar money:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Froggitt

stoneman wrote: »

So when you land if you are getting a cab you tip the cab driver when you get to the hotel (20% of bill or round up to the nearest dollar after)

Or a total of $20, whichever is the lower......they love the scenic route those cabbies!!!

doodle_bug

All this stuff about taxis. When I'm in Vegas I always have to educate fellow countrymen on the buses. Get an all day pass for $2.50 thats a 24hr pass from when you bought it, it's $5 for the deuce or you can pay 50c per trip with your normal pass. Get a book(timetable) from the driver for 25c and it's easy to tour Vegas for next to nothing, work out routes with the enclosed map in the book. http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/transit/route/index.cfm
The buses run East to West and North to South so you have to do a bit of planning but generally you wont wait more than 15 mins on the main routes, it's great fun on the buses, it really is. I was on a deuce a couple of years ago and a black lady was in a heated discussion with the driver(black guy) telling him he was going too slow and to stop talking(pointing out tourist locations). They were having a fair bit of banter and the driver said to her Lady I have a message for you, the computerised announcement said " For your own safety don't speak to the driver whilst the bus is moving." Had loads of good laughs on the buses, a black couple in front of us arguing about him smoking too much, he had a little dog end behind his ear, poor !!!!!!.
This last visit I was moved by a middle age hispanic lady who had 2 little girls with her aged 4 and 8. we got talking. She was looking after them for her son, his wife had run off with someone to California, her son was in the Air Force. She had a stroke 3 years ago and couldn't speak for over 2 years, she was still struggling to find her words, she was a lovely lady. The 8 year old didn't speak Spanish but the little one was fluent in English and Spanish, they were very beautiful and a delight to talk to. I have loads of stories from being on the buses so would highly recommend them if you want some real life entertainment.

funkyfin2000

May

we were on the deuce last year, and the black driver saw these 2 drunk kids (about 18-19) just had a birthday and had spent 500bucks on a louis vitton handbag!!!!!! Whilst drunk!

The bus driver was an aboslute scream while trying to drive the bus, go us all to sing happy birthday to the girl and her friend much to their amusement!

Loved it!

Rich

ferf1223

March

stoneman wrote: »

Don't even think about 10% for waiters:eek:
I hear you Baz, but I was making sure Fatboy was staying on the good side of everyone, because we all know that a Vegas trip can be sooooo much better if you tip well. I just love the way people will kiss your !!!! for a couple of dollars;)

I totally agree - people don't always realise that waiters and waitresses in the US usually make less than minimum wage...possibly why service is so good - they know the better the service the better the tip in most cases.

ferf1223

March

middy60 wrote: »

the taxi from the outlet $20 the taxi from fashion show to the nugget$15 anyone know how they get so many different rates?

Really enjoying your report! As for the rates, it's a combination of distance and waiting time - so it can be really variable depending on traffic and distances - sometimes a faster journey is more miles so will cost more than a longer ride (time-wise) and vice versa - just really depends. I personally think the best thing to do is to tell the driver:

a) take the fastest way or
b) take the cheapest way

Whichever you prefer.

This may help explain it a bit better.

http://www.taxi.state.nv.us/FaresFees.htm

Baz_2

It depends where you eat I guess but theres really something that grates when you are presented with a $200 bill and you are then have to tip the waiter another $40! I generally just double the tax, I've read that is a good guide and the taxi driver gave me a crash course in tipping the first time we went and suggested that to.

With around 150 covers a night in many places it doesn't take much to realise that their take home pay is far far from minimum wage. If they have 20 waiters sharing the tips that's $300 per night if everyone tips 20% and spends $200. Not a bad takehome pay for a fairly basic skilled job.

I've also tipped considerable less than 20% before for various reasons and the look of gratitude on the waiters face was still quite amazing. So I'm obviously not doing it that wrong.

20% is just on the high side IMO, especially for taxis, 10% is enough for them and waiters, 15% is fine or double the tax or there abouts.

Depends how flush you are. It's not like they know how much you are going to tip, you get the same service whatever you pay. As long as they don't come running after you once you have left.

t-elle

ferf1223 wrote: »

I totally agree - people don't always realise that waiters and waitresses in the US usually make less than minimum wage...possibly why service is so good - they know the better the service the better the tip in most cases.

Have been there and done that for the tips, so yes you work your bu** off to get max tips and a smile helps:)