7 CULTURE SHOCKS WE EXPIERIENCED ON OUR FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA | British Couple!

[@Justin_W]

Getting your bill isn't always a sign that you should get going. I think they consider it good service that you aren't waiting around for your bill. I've worked in restaurants before and we gave the bill with no expectation of the diners leaving anytime soon. In London it was like pulling teeth to get our bill. Haha. We had places we wanted to visit, but we were stuck waiting ages for our bill.

[@lynnebriggs6184]

Free refills in the US are only while you are eating there. Some people think you can keep your cup and go back anytime you want but you can’t . Normally most restaurants have free refills as well!

[@nochannel1q2321]

It's because the cost of a refill of water in even a large glass is like $0.02, soft drinks are just syrup and CO2 for maybe $0.05, so restaurants or fast food places that charge maybe three dollars for a drink initially have already made a ludicrous profit even if they keep doing free refills and even if someone absurd actually drinks more than the value paid for the drinks, the associated profits from the rest of the items still keeps it very profitable. The idea that there aren't free refills anywhere else speaks to the greed or faults in the business models of other restaurants.

[@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883]

​​@@nochannel1q2321you know how you have costs to live in a building. businesses have those costs to and more. Also there is a huge difference in profitability of different locations with some being corporate owned and others owned by franchisees. Franchise stores often are barely getting by. you are just being a bastard, im not judging i had a cup for every fast food joint in my car in college. still a cheap bastard thing to do.

[@scottbmedic]

It's also not everywhere in the USA. It's pretty much guaranteed in the South but not in other parts of the USA

[@scottbmedic]

It's also not everywhere in the USA. It's pretty much guaranteed in the South but not in other parts of the USA

[@CatServant]

Some places do have discounted refills on subsequent visits when bringing the cup back.

[@Jml416]

Just a couple of things if y'all actually see this: 1) I can't speak for New York City, but at 95% of the rest of America, you should NEVER feel rushed at a restaurant! You are the customer and you can sit there until closing if you want. I have been to 39 of the 50 states and have never felt rushed to hurry to eat or leave. 2) It's not against the law not to tip. In most cases, you should leave a tip if feel you got good service or whatever, but there have been several times I have left a very small tip or none at all because of poor service. Don't feel like HAVE to. And don't feel like you have to leave a certain amount either. Just because "they" say 15-20% of your bill, see previous statement above. 3) I have never agreed with the drinking age being 21. If you old enough to vote, get married and join the military (and possibly die for your country), you should be old enough to drink a beer if you want! 4) Free refills are at most fast food, sit down restaurants, etc...as long as you are eating there and it's for sodas, coffee and tea, no refills on alcohol. 5) Sales tax varies from state to state, county to county and even city to city. Some places have NO sales tax and most are on some items and not on others. It's confusing, but after a while unless it's a BIG purchase, you don't even think about it. Well, I've ranted on long enough. Good video, guys!

[@Justin_W]

I've never felt rushed in a restaurant in the U.S. either. I've lived in several states and visited many more, and never felt rushed. I have heard from people in Europe that they consider the pace of American dining to be too fast. So, maybe its a cultural difference? I also feel that if there are people waiting to get in the restaurant and you're finished eating, you should be polite and not linger too long so that other people can have a seat.

[@KristopherBel]

I grew up on new yrk and busy/popular restaurants will often feel efficient, this can sometimes feel rushed to so.e people, and especially at tourist destinations it can actually be a little rushed. But this isn't true of all restaurants by any means and even the same restaurants might be very fast paced and efficient at some times of day, when they have 1-2 hour wait for a table, and not at others when they have empty seats.

[@Anon54387]

I've never tipped a taxi driver. Granted, I only rarely am in a taxi. Usually if I fly somewhere I have someone to pick me up or rent a car and, in one case, took a metro bus (which was really fun with all that luggage) because there was a parade that night in Seattle and the cabbies didn't want to get mired in the hotel district since the parade was nearby.

[@Anon54387]

@@KristopherBel I grew up in small town California, and going to a restaurant was slow paced and relaxed, and people like to relax. But the restaurant business has become even more competitive and restaurants do run on a very thin profit margin. Everyone is being squeezed it ways that wasn't true years and decades ago.

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

A better restaurant even in a fast paced city shouldn’t rush you. If they let you sit a really long time, the tip should reflect appreciation.

[@cherylflam3250]

Love when James said “we went to New York “ and Millie corrected by saying New York City !

[@forevertoons9022]

Even better, Manhattan! What we, who live in NYC, call 'The City'.

[@KristopherBel]

​@forevertoons9022 exactly what I was thinking "oh they went to "The City""

[@fbksfrank4]

Dated two girls from Upstate New York, both were adamant about the distinction between the two.

[@timsuspanic7905]

​@@fbksfrank4And rightfully so!

[@karlsmith2570]

14:57 It's not just fast-food restaurants, you can also get free refills of your drinks in other types of restaurants for dine-in, including buffet style restaurants

[@beesnort3163]

Happy Father’s Day! ❤

[@TheBeesleys99]

Thank you 🥰 exciting times ❤

[@sabalomglitz6478]

Next year will be special ❤

[@holyfire11]

milly lookin cute as ever! :) happy fathers day brother! welcome to parenthood ;)

[@TheBeesleys99]

Thank you 🥰 Exciting times!

[@JMcKey21]

Most restaurants give free refills as well.

[@easybreezy4559]

As someone from NY state, I love that Millie said "NY City"! you have no clue how frustrating it is to say you're form NY and even Americans say "oh the city blah blah." lol tangent over

[@malcolmschenot6352]

As a New Yorker (California now) I can say that NYers often want the waiters to be fast, efficient and get that bill to me so I can get the hell out of there and God forbid if I have to wait for the check. I took me 10 years to slow down after I moved out of Manhattan. I had friends from Oklahoma who went to NY (I clued them in before they went) and they laughed and laughed at their experiences in the restaurants. Their favorite was they went into one and the waitress called out to them over the crowd and said "Sit over there and be ready to order when I get there!" They told me if I hadn't given them the rundown on what to expect they would not have understood and would've been put off. But they enjoyed themselves immensely and had a great time with everyone they met.

[@lindaclark7868]

If you feel rushed, it's your prerogative as the customer to ask the wait staff to give you a bit more time.

[@sparc77]

A lot of people visiting the US are puzzled by the whole sales tax thing. As you say, you do get used to it, and once you understand what is going on, it makes a certain amount of sense. Whenever you engage in a purchase, the sales tax is added at the point of sale instead of included in the price because the tax will vary from place to place based on the added taxes of the different layers of government. The state where you make your purchase mayl have a tax which may be different from other states. The county within that state may have a tax that differs from other counties, and the city within that county may also have a tax that differs from other cities. These taxes are used to maintain roads, highways, fire departments, police departments, schools, etc. And any of these can change on short notice and so the sales tax for an item will change as well. If they included all those taxes in the purchase price, they would have to go through the store and change the prices of every item they sell every time any one of those taxes changed. Instead, they just show you the retail price and you go shopping with the knowledge that whatever the tax is at that time will be added at the checkout.

[@louielou2012]

She is crushing it with the pregnancy looking good miss millie keep on smiling it suits u

[@mikeg.4211]

Most restaurants offer free drink refills, not only fast food places. Because the US is divided so much into different taxing districts (federal, state and even local tax), there is so much variation that prices would be constantly having to change on the price tags depending on the locality.

[@lindaclark7868]

Happy Father's Day, James!

[@TheBeesleys99]

Thank you 🥰

[@TheBubbaClemson]

Ok. So, as a former waiter, and Maitre D' ... The feeling rushed thing is because of tipping. It's called turnover, the faster you turn a table the more tips you can get. Now with this said at higher end places, we will slow it down because tip is based on number of drinks etc, there's usually a built in gratuity, and it's reservation only. You actually pay more tax at restaurants, bodegas etc because they usually have a hospitality tax on top of the sales tax. Trust me, We Americans hate being taxed... See 1775-82. Lmao 🤣

[@meowski617]

Also should add that the reason tipping is so important is because waiters get paid below minimum wage and tips could make or break you. Plus, some places let waiters keep their individual tips and other places it all gets pooled and split evenly for all waiters.

[@mermaid1717]

As an American I don't feel rushed out of restaurants. They clear the table so fast so that you don't have to sit & talk over dirty dishes, plus for them they can go ahead & get them cleaned again. And they go ahead & bring you the check for convenience to you if you're ready to go. But most places don't care it you stick around talking & drink for another 30 minutes or so.

[@chucklee4446]

Numbers 1 and 2 are related. Tipping and rushed service. However, you are not the one being rushed. They are. If your food takes too long to get 5o you, it's seen as poor service, and the wait staff earns a smaller tip. This is actually the purpose behind tipping. Better service. If you will make more by being faster and providing better service. You will do everything you can to earn that extra. Conversely, poor service earns a smaller tip or no tip at all.

[@kida12]

Restaurants also give free refills on sodas, teas, and coffee. Not usually on milk, juice or alcohol. A good wait person will automatically bring you another drink when they see you getting low. Breakfast restaurants will often leave a pot of coffee if you order coffee. Chinese restaurants USED TO bring free pots of green tea, but that seems to have gone away. Some places you can order pitchers of alcohol instead of individual drinks.

[@tosweet68]

Pitchers of beer....

[@charlesnathansmith]

Some waiters/tresses are scary good. "Damn I better stretch these last couple drinks to wash down my meal.. Outta nowhere: "I'll be right back with a refill for you sir!" You gonna be right back later for a good cash tip, attentive sir/ma'am

[@LibertyWolf1]

Happy (future) Pappy's Day James!

[@daniel_sc1024]

Free refills are a thing for fountain drinks because the mark-up is tremendous. So after charging for the initial drink they can afford to give refills away.

[@QWERTY-ov9tm]

Happy Father's day and happy belated Mother's day.

[@TheBeesleys99]

Thank you 🥰

[@121476]

You get free refills at fast food places and restaurants. As long as it's from a soda machine. Not canned soda You can still get free refills everywhere. It's just that after covid now at a lot places you have to ask for them to fill it for you. You can't refill it yourself

[@BrendaNelson-ll4ls]

I live in New Jersey USA. I've been to New York City around 50 times. I never ran into anyone that was rude. I've never felt rushed in any restaurant in any state I visited. I'm glad you had a good experience in the USA. Sales tax varies from state to state. Some states do not have sales tax. The only fast-food place I go to is Wendy's. I wish you experienced a good all fashion Diner restaurant they usually have great food and service.

[@ESUSAMEX]

Tipping at bars is normally $1 or $2 per beer or drink. The 15 to 20 percent only matters when you have bill for all your drinks added together. When you get that grand total, add at least 15% to the bill.

[@exeter1985]

I have recently started see a "Tip Suggestion" on the bill where they actually have calculated the tip. On the bill, it showed "20% Tip - $10.50"; "23%Tip - $ 13.75"; "25% Tip - $15.25". (Those are just made-up numbers, I didn't base it on actual amounts.)

[@chrysb52]

You're right. The portion sizes are out of control! One meal oftentimes could comfortably be split between two people.

[@RobertByrnes-g8j]

2 things: some people in government are insistent that local and state sales taxes appear on your receipt so that you are aware of what you're demanded to pay in order to support local (not federal) government - the inclination being that you should always know what your're paying for those services and not have it hidden; many restaurants have refills especially if the clientele is price-conscious,. Restaurants and diners have long used the expression "bottomless" as in "bottomless cup of coffee" as opposed to "free refills".

[@daniel_sc1024]

The drinking age was not always 21. It used to vary by state (same as driver's license). I could drink at 18 in Mississippi and Louisiana. In 1984 the federal government made federal highway funds contingent on the states raising their drinking age to 21.

[@tosweet68]

I have not experienced any changes to free refills since covid.....you can still get them when eating inside virtually any restaurant or fast food place.

[@lizmarkus5469]

Come visit Boise Idaho we have a 70 foot cross on the hill. The last forest fire surround and burned the vegetation... ❤everything around destroyed. The cross stayed lit THRU THE NOTE

[@MrPenguinLife]

Sales tax on food varies from state to state, for example currently in my state we pay 4% on grocery items, but pay the standard sales tax which in my town is 9.75% on ready to eat items. When I was younger for a number of years we had no sales tax on grocery items, and tax on ready to eat items, which caused all sorts of confusion, such as a individual serving size bag of chips was taxed, however a large "family" size bag was not. Or an individual can of soft drink was taxable, however a 6 or 12 pack was not.

[@anthonyramirez9003]

Not just state by state, but also county to county. I live on the border of L.A. and Orange Co. If I go to a shop on the L.A. side. The sales tax is so much. But if I drive a mile down the road into Orange County, then the sales tax is higher.

[@Justin_W]

The U.S. tax systems are unnecessarily complicated! The rest of the world is very simple. Where I have lived in Japan, and Singapore for instance all you have to do is review your income tax, and if you owe, you pay the bill. Taxes are not taken throughout the year but are only paid out at the end. Other taxes on purchase products are of course paid out on the spot and are usually the same nationwide. I really wish the U.S. would scrap the current tax codes and start again. Simplify it for the people. Only take at the end of the fiscal/tax year instead of taking people's money up front and then giving some back at the end. It can be done.

[@Justin_W]

Oh, and tax prices are almost always included in the price displayed on the price tag.

[@twenty3enigma]

I'm in California, where there's no sales tax on grocery items.

[@anthonyramirez9003]

@@twenty3enigma Where I don't know where you are in Cali.. But, yes there is. And not only that,what really gets me is that I have to bag my own groceries. So not only do I have to pay over a hundred dollars every week to buy things needed to live. I have to bag the stuff I buy myself.Nah....I make them bag it. Otherwise pay me.

[@padresouth2]

I'm from Oklahoma and New York would be a culture shock to me too!!

[@coreysimon3646]

New York, New York!

[@stevenj2380]

It is posted at some NYC fast food places to be 'allowed to sit for 30 minutes to consume food" your time to be OK seated can vary a lots. However, some fast food places removed seats during C-V and not put them back. The first places I ever say those sitting time signs all over was in L.A. , decades ago. The only places in NY NY where time was no issue was in several expensive restaurants I was fortunate to be treated to dinners. If you come in at certain times in the evening, basically the table is yours.

[@kevananne]

Free refills in restaurants are common for iced tea, coffee, and sometimes soda. In the south the waitress walks around carrying two pitchers of tea with ice in them…one sweet, one unsweet.

[@ScratchingwithHolly]

It's generally most all restaurants as well.

[@skyhawk_4526]

Been to NYC and I think the city is very "busy" as a rule. Feeling rushed probably has more to do with the culture specific to NYC. It's a massive busy city with a population that's probably too big for its basic infrastructure. Getting you in and out of the restaurant quickly is probably done to get the next diners in on time. This isn't really a thing in most of the rest of the U.S. where the pace is a lot less hectic and there are more seats/tables available than there are people trying to reserve them.

[@26algiz]

I would say with sales tax, if you just add 10% to every dollar you're getting an over-estimate of the real cost. If it says 20 dollars, have 22 dollars ready and you'll get some combination of change back. There might be a few exceptions but its a safe and easy estimate to work out without knowing the exact tax rate. Also, there is a way to dispense plain tap water from those drink dispenser machines all over America. There is a tiny white tab located in between the dispenser where the drink comes out and the back lever that activates it. There is only one on a machine so you have to look for it sometimes. Just put your cup down under it without hitting the back lever and push the little white tab and tap water comes out.

[@chrysb52]

Sales tax varies by state. Some states don't charge it at all. Here in California sales tax is 7.25%, but municipalities are allowed to add taxes or collect revenues on top of that. Yes, restaurants in most states charge sales tax. In grocery stores, no sales tax on food items but non-food items such as paper products, liquor, or personal care items are all taxed.

[@patrickchambers5999]

You need to remember that in America the hourly wage paid to servers is way less than the minimum wage and tips are expected to make up for the difference. Hence the desire to turn over a table or booth as soon as the food is done to get more customers and hence more tips. Have breakfast and your full until late in the afternoon, two meals are sufficient with no mid-day meal. You can't drink until you are 21 but at 18 can join the military!

[@Cricket2731]

A server typically gets 50% of minimum.

[@bradparnell614]

As far as being rushed in a restaurant, that's going to happen in bigger cities in crowded places but just the opposite happens in suburbs and small towns where you'll have a much easier time finding places where you can take your time as in the UK, this is especially true in the south. Sales Tax is something we are totally used to. Even as kids you learn it very quickly, or at least my generation did, as we went to the store with just a little bit of change in our pockets. We had to know if we were going to have enough to buy that extra comic book after buying candy and gum. It's common in fast food places to go back to the drink station and get a free refill after you've eaten to take on the road. Not everyone does it of course but it's not unusual.

[@darcyjorgensen5808]

Tip 20%. Err on the side of caution if you are unsure whether or not the situation calls for tipping - no harm, no foul. It’s our culture.

[@Ginoulmer]

Free refills are pretty much everywhere. Refill your cup before you leave fast food places and you have a drink for the road

[@ronluk76]

Jim and Millie, when you finally do make it to the Bay Area, I'll take you to one of my favorite places to eat in North Beach and then on the cable car to the Fisherman's Wharf and see the Sea lions and also the the ferry to visit Alcatraz and then over to see the Golden Gate Bridge and make sure you are safe and away from the problem areas we do have in San Francisco and that you get to see only what we are proud of and most importantly have a good time as our guests here. Hope you families are having a blessed an wonderful Father's Day!

[@amberlonevans3671]

Refills are free more in sit-down restaurants. In fact, I expect it. Where I eat Logans Roadhouse in Arkansas, they give free bread. Logans Roadhouse specializes in steaks

[@yvonnewakefield7748]

GREAT seeing you create original content, Millie and James 😄 Is original-content a future direction for your channel? Personally I love it! Of course, I love your reactions, too 🙂 Thanks so much

[@skyhawk_4526]

Most (nearly all) normal restaurants in the US offer free refills on sodas and coffee. This (I would say, obviously) doesn't apply to beer or cocktails. But for soft drinks, it's generally the rule. A glass of water is also normally free - sometimes they bring it automatically or you can ask for it, but normally there is no charge for water. At a fast food restaurant or coffee shop, there may be a very modest charge for a water, but that's because they use disposable drink containers, so they're really only charging you once for the cup.

[@sopdox]

Tax on food varies from state to state. In NY, prepared food (any food sold heated by restaurants, pubs, take out, convenience stores) is taxed. Unprepared food (grocery store shopping) is not taxed. Non-food stuff bought at grocery stores like dish soap, toiletries, etc. are taxed. Any prepared hot food sold by grocery stores like hot rotisserie chicken is taxable. In NYC, clothing costing under $110 per item is not taxed. This doesn’t hold true for other parts of the state. Go over to New Jersey and they have a very specific list of what is and isn’t taxed at grocery stores.

[@bikeman1969]

Sales tax in my state, Rhode Island, is 7%. Food (grocery store food, not restaurants or prepared food), clothing, shoes, and medicine are exempt so they are tax free. I think having an added sales tax is better than an included vat tax because you are reminded everyday on how much your government is taking. If it's included it can be raised and the public wouldn't know if they didn't follow politics. Remember, we fought a war about Taxation without Representation. :)

[@otis299]

Exactly! It’s hard to get a sales tax increased when everyone buys things and is reminded that they will be paying more. Ironically, and to the same point, people don’t make the same connection that increasing property taxes and business profit taxes also are passed down to the consumer as well. Which is why I love this comment!

[@dalemoore8582]

I agree. VAT is something like20 25 percent which ridiculous to begin with but how you know if the government is raising you taxes or if the business isn't doing something shady and charging people more than they should be. I can look at my receipt and see exactly how much I am paying in tax.

[@IsaacOrd]

most restaurants have free refills on soda and water but not on specialty drinks.

[@aliciafoster4771]

One thing to consider is that in America, restaurants are so much busier than in many other parts of the world. Americans eat out more often than most other people. In Europe for instance, it may be more of an event of socializing over a meal than an actual meal. We socialize over meals all the time as well, but we also go out to a restaurant just for a meal. If a restaurant is busy with other families and other people waiting to be seated, it’s not unusual for those already dining, to leave when their meals are finished. We don’t feel rushed. It’s just being considerate. As far as servers bringing you your food and your bill, they are doing what is expected of them. Expeditious service and promptly bringing the bill is what most Americans want. We want to be able to leave when we can. Of course there are times when we may linger, but we will always appreciate having efficient service and being able to leave when we choose and not having to wait for a bill. Also, our food portions are definitely larger, but most people take home a good portion of their meals. It’s not uncommon to get a couple of meals out of your restaurant dinner or lunch. Dessert is often something, we have “ToGo” because who has the room to eat more? I hope this helps. jml4161 was very respectful, articulate, accurate and detailed with their comment. I much appreciate that.

[@binxbolling]

New York is unique. It's not a typical American city. You've seen New York but not (typical) America.

[@aliciafoster4771]

Free non-alcohol refills are not slowing down at all. We travel a lot throughout the US. I don’t believe I’ve been in any sit down restaurant that didn’t have free refills since the 90’s. That’s even after Covid. No need to rush over here before the free refills end. But… we would love for you to come visit the States again. There’s so much for you to explore. Plus, we absolutely LOVE the two of you. Soon to become 3. ❤

[@yourenotthere]

Free refills of water-based drinks wasn't a thing (as I remember) until the late 70's/early 80's. Yes, it started in fast food places, but because it was popular (who doesn't like free stuff), it spread to other kinds of restaurants as well. The prices did go up, that's why it's around $3-4 for a soft drink in many restaurants, but you can refill it as often as you want until you leave. Another reason besides the "free stuff" aspect it may have become popular is the summertime heat, and free refills let you stay hydrated.

[@douglasw9624]

American in California here and have never been to NYC. Once took a trip to my wife's native Romania and as attempting to speak to her kin, they mentioned some recent hurricanes in the Carolinas. I remarked I had never been there. They looked confused at first and I as they spoke in Romanian I picked up the word Portugal...I spoke ups saying YES, its like Portugal to Romania ha ha.

[@BTinSF]

Depending on where you live in CA you ought to go. You may be shocked at how much more friendly the people are and how much more helpful the public employees (cops, transit workers etc) are than in California's largest cities these days.

[@douglasw9624]

@@BTinSF well you might be right but I tend towards wide open spaces. :)

[@mermaid1717]

Who said there's less free refills since Covid? Free refills never stopped in America.

[@ibekingape]

As much as ppl mention portion size they usually forget how popular it is to take food home. It made me wonder if folks did the doggy bag option over seas so I was surprised to hear you mention it

[@delbert372]

Hopefully you legends will be able to visit America again, as there is obviously WAY more to see and do here. You could spend a lifetime exploring the US as it’s HUGE, and encounter a thousand different cultures, terrain types, etc.

[@allenhill1223]

I see most brits only focus on the East and West Coast. But rare to see anything about the Midwest. I my opinion the Midwest is the most exciting places to visit. From Canada to Mexico the Midwest has everything ROOKIE Mountain to Ozarks Minnesota.MUST SEE PLACES

[@QWERTY-ov9tm]

Lol. You had a beer on the plane? You are a kegend for that. Good on you. Glad you came to visit the United States. I live in California and when it's not 1000°F here it's nice. Super friendly people where i live.

[@swilli3476]

Free refills most everywhere except if it is alochol,or a place like starbucks, the large drinks has a smaller bottom portion for holding with one hand and most fast food lol, waitress makes most money on tips, so it's called turning tables,there trying get u to leave not to be rude,but so they can get another customer,plus when leaves restraunt you can ask for a to go cup, for no charge

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Portion sizes stems from early America. With so many competing businesses close together it was always thought if we give a bit more, you know value for money thing we will get more customers and our business will make it. And I think it just sort of got out of hand as the years have gone by.

[@QWERTY-ov9tm]

Sales tax in the town i live in California is only 7.25%.

[@Liamshavingfun]

Yes they do bring you the check and yes they are trying to turn the table but you dont have to leave, you can stay until you're ready. Also, as long as the restaurants serve fountain drinks you can have refills except for some specialty drinks and alcoholic beverages. Bottle drinks you have to pay for each. Sales tax is just a few cents on the dollar and not really a big thing for us. VAT is a higher tax than sales tax. You dont have to tip at every place. And only tip if the service was good and fast. Poor service doesnt deserve a tip.

[@DavidZinselmeier]

restaurants also give free refills...everyone does

[@peterdemoose8088]

Each state sets its own sales tax. That is why it isn't built into the price. Also each state taxes different items.

[@andrewchristopher7138]

Hi

[@TheBeesleys99]

Hey Andrew! Great to see you as always :D

[@lilmoney7825]

Grew up in the State of Georgia in the US. The rule of thumb I’ve always used for tipping is if the person provides a service that goes on you or in you, you tip. Excluding medical professionals. Them I would send a gift basket if they help with a difficult, long term hospital stay. Nail techs, waiters, bartenders, hair stylists, etc are a must to tip.

[@yugioht42]

Honestly round up to the nearest dollar for most things as that usually is about right if you include tax. It’s usually a little more than what you think but you can ballpark it to roughly the dollar amount. Just be aware of tax free zones and reduced tax zones. Disney parks are tax free zones but only the theme parks. Disney springs (shopping district) is a reduced tax zone meaning it’s slightly less tax but you still pay more overall due to some fees they have. Also tax holidays when taxes disappear for certain items like school supplies or emergency supplies. Just normal.

[@jlpack62]

The lower the price point of a restaurant in the USA, especially in a large city, the faster they'll want to turn the tables. If you are going to a really expensive restaurant, you won't be rushed. In Miami, you'd find the dining culture to be more like Europe or South America, and you won't usually be as rushed. As for having drinks with your meals, be glad you couldn't because drinking in American restaurants is expensive, and then you'd be tipping and paying tax on even more! As for taxes, 10 dollars worth of anything will never be 15 dollars after tax. It will be closer to 11 dollars, and oftentimes less than that. In the USA, you almost HAVE to take a refill with you when you leave a fast food restaurant. It's like an unwritten cultural rule. If you don't take another drink, you aren't getting your money's worth! A lot of sit down restaurants in the USA will refill for free as well, but not all of them. Some casual sit-down restaurants will give you a to-go drink in a take-out cup. Restaurants that serve drinks from cans or bottles will not refill.

[@nochannel1q2321]

Important note a lot of people forget. Sales tax is a tax on businesses by the taxing authorities. They pass it on to the consumers to pay, but it's ultimately something that they are required to pay to the various levels of government.

[@kardeef33317]

TIP stands for To Insure Prompt Service. They're quick to try to earn a bigger TIP. You can stay as long as you want, many of times my friends have stayed hours just drinking coffee at a restaurant, free refills.

[@derrickdrake8373]

Sales tax added at the register is a good thing. It lets you know mow much the government is taking, not the store or the manufacturer. Otherwise the government would tax your ass off. Depending on what you buy in a lot of state's or cities food isn't taxed.

[@CH3NO2Semonious]

Usually if my group is staying for drinks, I will slip twenty dollars to the wait staff when we order so they are not worried about the tip from the next customer. In Oregon a lot of wait staff can't afford to eat in the place where they work. By working them less than full time by even one hour, it allows them to pay under minimum wage! Come back after our economy has recovered and it will seem like a different country. I grew up in So Cal in the 60s and it was a different place back then.

[@rayn2798]

Clothing items in NYC are only taxed if they cost more than $110 per item. So if u buy jeans for $100 its tax free. If they cost $120 then you pay tax which I believe is 8.75% it goes by item so if you buy$1000 of clothing but each piece cost $100 you pay no tax on the total

[@paulayala4816]

Some restaurants are like that, they want to get you in and out of there as quickly as they can, but only because they may have a line of people waiting to be seated. My friends and I used to stay in one of our favorite restaurants for hours, and never felt pushed to leave, but then again we were always buying drinks, an appetizer or a dessert. One time we had gone there for lunch and finally got kicked out at 2am, our bill (food, drinks, appetizers...coffee) was over $1,000 for four of us.... ouch! We tipped our waitress $400, for serving us, talking with us and basically putting up with us. Next time we came in we got seated right away, and our meals and appetizers were comped by the manager. This didn't happen at every place we went to, but it was a nice touch at this one place and it kept us coming back.

[@chuckwickwire4357]

So many people use the drive-through they don’t think about free refills

[@mikebarnes7746]

Great video guys!

[@marybruun9621]

I live in Palm Springs (nice tee shirt, by the way). Everywhere here, you can get free refills, but everyone else has said, only while you're there. I use to live in Grenada, an island part of the British commonwealth. It was strange for me at first NOT being able to get a refill. I did love the lack of sales tax, I got use to the price you see is the price you pay. USA could learn from other countries 😅

[@yugioht42]

You aren’t rushed through dinner. Just the staff were just trying to turn over tables as fast as possible to get profit. A dinner should not last for more than two hours wall to wall. This is because restaurants close around 10 or 11 at night. They have to clean the place and prepare for the next day. A deep cleaning also happens at least once a month for the kitchen meaning it takes five hours to do. While the kitchen staff comes in at 5 in the morning or 6 to prepare for that day. It’s one crazy cycle. I’ve done this most of my life always prepping and cleaning while waiting on deep cleaner crews do their thing. I’ve been in the restaurant biz most of my life and yeah it’s rough.

[@Helen247]

Can't wait for you to hop back across the pond! Maybe DC next??? #1 YES, Manhattan is only 18 sq miles of the state and not even the whole city!!! Thank you!!! ❤️ Free refills - don't worry they are absolutely still a thing, typically applies to sodas and coffee while you are in the restaurant, you can also do this some other places ie at 7-11 with unlimited refills provided they scan the cup's special code to be charged $0. The thing you may have heard about during COVID was that there was less self service running and you also couldn't use your own cup from home. I'm glad that you experienced true NY courtesy - I used to tell people that a New Yorker will give you the shirt off their back to help you, provided it can be done in three minutes or less. But seriously, incredibly kind people until you give them a reason not to be. Restaurants - busy, packed places during peak times will encourage you to move on and is often considered respectful so you can get where you are going next. I can remember things starting up at times I'm normally in bed now 😅. That said, there are plenty of decent places that don't have that pressure and it is a routine occurrence for large groups to stay well past dessert having drinks, coffee and chatting. Speaking of restaurants, it nearly broke my heart to hear how many meals you seemed to eat at fast food chains when there is so much great food - makes me want to jump in a time machine and direct you to other food ☺️

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

Even though the drinking age is 21, most people start around 16 or even before. Whether it's sneaking from parents' stash, having an older sibling, or knowing which places break the law. Or maybe it's just that Louisiana is big on drinking. I think New Orleans is the only US city where you're allowed to drink on the streets. There's no closing time either. We have drive thru frozen daiquiri places.

[@claregale9011]

Its the opposite here in the u.k. the amount of ignorant tourists in london harassing our kings guards ( who are soliders who have been deployed in confilicts ) its pretty disgusting , ive been to the u.s. 3 times and loved it very friendly and helpful .

[@nullakjg767]

Lol you just learning the US doesn't respect the British monarchy or the dogs who serve them? There was a war over it even.

[@kevananne]

Sales tax in Texas is 8.25%-8.75%. I was told this once and still stick to it, double the sales tax for your tip. A little over the 15%…makes it easier.

[@jasonerb2577]

Some of the fast food places don't have free refills. Basic tip for fast food places, if they give you a cup and you fill your own cup at the soda machine = free refills, go back as much as you want while you're there. If they serve you your drink in the cup...it probably isn't free refills. Most sit down restaurants, diners, cafes etc. have free refills. If you have a waitress or waiter, he or she should ask you if you're ready for another drink and refill it for you. Sadly, free refills do not apply to alcohol. Just your basic, soda, coffee, teas and water type drinks.

[@wordkyle]

Re sales tax: This likely comes from our historical antipathy toward governmrnt. When you purchase something, the message is "THIS amount goes to the store and THIS amount is what the government forces us to collect."

[@yugioht42]

You likely went to a bodega or a little neighborhood store. These are common everywhere in New York City. It’s just a quick stop in and out to grab a few things for the apartment. These aren’t full grocery stores just a little something that you might need type place. Some of these actually have a full sandwich counter that you can order from. Honestly a lot of people go into them order breakfast and get out in five minutes. There is the famous Aki bodega somewhere that has a flattop that you have to order with certain lingo. Aki is a nice guy though that plays around with you a bit with words but his stuff is good. Some bodegas actually serve authentic Mexican food that is kinda a secret menu type thing just you have to be friends with owners. I know a tiny hidden bodega that serves Jamaican cuisine. There’s a ton of secret bodegas around just discovering them is half the fun.

[@ESUSAMEX]

Forgot to say that not every item in the US gets charged a sales tax. Here in Florida, I never pay sales taxes on the food I buy at the supermarket. I bought $100 worth of food and drink, but the sales taxes were only added to my drinks because it was soda.

[@mr.snifty]

Yeah you can get free refills at fast food and restaurants

[@greatgreyowl2583]

Most of the time when somebody says they went to New York we assume they mean New York City, unless otherwise stated or know they have other connections to the state.

[@ESUSAMEX]

As a native New Yorker, I will tell that you can stay at a table as long as you want as long as you keep eating or drinking. You must have food or drinks in front of you at all times. If are done eating and drinking, you can remain at the table for no more than 20 minutes or so after you pay the bill. Having said that, most of the time most waiters will not even care if stay longer as long as the restaurant is not busy.

[@karlreinke9653]

In nyc you’ll have to pay city taxes on some items. I live in Massachusetts … no taxes on clothing or food that’s not prepared. States are all different.

[@Tbone1492]

You could've rent Car. Drove straight to Nigeria Falls & Canada. Catskill Mountains, the Caves or Finger lakes, Lake George. A thousand places in NY alone!

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

If you don’t tip at a bar, don’t go for a second drink. Good tippers get better service, stronger drinks.

[@denise-c7h]

I live in the rural south. We move a little slower

[@TenaciousSLG]

We Americans never keep track of sales taxes or know how much we'll end up paying. It varies from city to city and state to state, and some items are taxed, some items aren't--it's too complicated for us too. We just always know it's going to be more when we check out and accept it lol

[@srudy1958]

Loved the video!

[@marksmith4892]

Portion sizes are huge, and so are the people unfortunately. Having said that, to-go boxes, or "doggy boxes" are very common here. What I do at various restaurants is actually buy more than 1 entree , far more than I could hope to eat. Then I eat part of it, put the rest in a to-go box with a drink to go, and then I have 2 more meals with the rest. It's efficient, no meal prep. In the UK it's considered cheap or weird or something to get a to-go box but over here we often do it by design not by accident.

[@INDYANDY4C]

The funny thing is you can vote, you’re an adult, but you can’t drink. We can send you to war, but you can’t drink. Refills are free everywhere. Millie, have the child here! He’s forever an American Citizen.

[@makapan1]

Americans entertain in their homes where as people in Europe entertain at restaurants and pubs...basically outside their homes. We generally just don't want to do extended entertainment in a restaurant. Remember also that you were visiting NEW YORK...if you were in Tucson Arizona...there might have been a more relax restaurant turn-over.