America's a funny place.

I don't like the tipping, for example, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Basically, tip at least 15% whenever you're getting "service" unless something specifically tells you not to, such as a menu, or a sign. Without this, the waitresses and others serving may not even earn minimum wage, which isn't nice at all. Except you don't tip at places like McDonalds and sometimes you're expected to tip even if you haven't bought anything. :-P

Tips and sales tax, which is added after-the-fact to prices here, make shopping a very confusing experience for people not used to such things. You always end up paying much more than the sticker price for anything you buy.

I think the whole system is unfair to both the people providing service and the consumer. But that's just how it is here.

Note: I got tired of the thread and closed it. Posting new comments to this entry won't work.