Expensive Sydney Meal

[@theubercruisers5199]

I forgot to mention that there may have been a 20% surcharge because it was a public holiday. Many restaurants charge this surcharge because they have to pay overtime rates. Thanks again for the great company and a great lunch.

[@notthatyouasked6656]

When I stayed in Sydney years ago, the clerk in the hotel told me that people there almost fight each other to work on public holidays because they are paid double time and a half!

[@gracegale522]

@@notthatyouasked6656 pay rate is normally triple times especially its Sunday and public Holiday

[@notthatyouasked6656]

@@gracegale522 Thanks for that. It appears to have gone up since I was last there 20+ years ago.

[@theubercruisers5199]

@@notthatyouasked6656 Pretty much, my wife didn't join us with Tony and Don as she had committed to work (as a nurse) and she gets paid triple time. Hard to knock back.😁

[@theubercruisers5199]

@@notthatyouasked6656 Yes, generally resturant food can be expensive. Even on normal days $50-$70 per head is considered normal. (hence why my wife and I don't eat out all that often) LOL

[@markeaston7353]

so Tony is jet lagged, exhausted and a little out of his comfort zone and yet he can still put out masterfully produced and edited videos. this man is a creative genius! And entertaining to boot!

[@LaLidoLoca]

Kind words. Thanks!

[@janelayman2745]

Indeed! I was rolling in laughter!

[@joebloggs6841]

Simp

[@jenniferfranklin2705]

I just got of a cruise and I can’t move. I can’t imagine putting together a video rn. 😊

[@debbichrissinger8210]

AGREE!

[@margi9103]

We call the dim sum lunch yum cha in Australia. Yum cha means drink tea. Dim sum literally means to touch the heart, but food wise refers to the food. That was an expensive lunch. Usually with yum cha, it works out on average $35 to 40 per person on a non public holiday. Someone else mentioned that there is a public holiday surcharge in restaurants in Sydney which they do charge. You can say no to the cart ladies when they come around and take it slower and don’t feel pressured to take an item. If they have something you might want to try later, they will come around to you table again a few more times. We have quite a few Yum cha restaurants in Chinatown as you would expect. One above Paddy’s Markets can seat 800 people and on any weekend after 12pm the restaurant can be full already and a queue with 20 or more people outside patiently waiting for a table to become available. There was also a yum cha restaurant in Westfields where you were earlier on level 6.

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Do we?

[@DisconnectedAudio]

@@Modellers-Workbench yes we do, where are you from?

[@Modellers-Workbench]

@@DisconnectedAudio No we don't. Some might but the "we" is a bit pretentious. Thanks Ita...Or do WE all speak Cantonese now? Nobody in Sydney would ever say, "hey wanna get some dim sums?", "fancy going to the chinese dim sum place upstairs?" Or the now famous Australian phrase "Let's get a succulent chinese meal"... Really.... As to me, born Sydney 1972, Eastern Suburbs where the Sea Planes are. Even in Asia people don't talk so formally - Yum cha can or not? Makan Dim Sum? and I spent 15 years there 95-2010. And if you search for Dim Sum Sydney, online??? Anyway im just bored on leave, have fun and Happy New Year to all.

[@DisconnectedAudio]

@@Modellers-Workbench I meant we call it yum cha. That’s what they were saying I now have no idea what you are on about sorry. Happy new year!

[@karengoderie7758]

As a local to save you need to getaway all eat in western or rven southern sydney. Try arabic .. el jannah is cheap and great

[@spectctommy]

Glad your trip is going good. Thanks for all the great tips about things to do down under

[@violetscreaming]

Love all of the Chinese made souvenirs. $60 a head for a sit down lunch in downtown Sydney on a public holiday is pretty cheap. The rent they have to pay is phenomenally high. Plus the extra wages for the public holidays as it’s double time ($15-$20/hr x2) but you aren’t expected to tip. You can, but it isn’t expected.

[@dalane5196]

Not quite right there with public holiday rates, the minimum rate is around $27.00 per hour and it is double time and a half on public holidays, which is triple time. So triple $27 is around $81 dollars per hour plus 10.5% Super, plus workers comp another 5% and your getting close to $100.00 per hour for each worker even the basic waiter staff, what the chefs were getting paid who knows probably close to $200.00 per hour.

[@violetscreaming]

@@dalane5196 yeah it’s been a LONG time since I’ve worked in hospitality so it really was just a guess as to the current rate. I recall getting less than $10/hr back in the 90s

[@liandren]

​@DA Lane its only time and a half. The govt changed the service industry pay award a few years ago so small business can afford to operate.

[@AleksPTA]

@@liandren the gov should have done something about the ridiculous rents I know of an established cafe inside an office building, not even street facing where rent was revised from $280k to $520k p/a yes $10 grand per week No matter how good the coffee was, that rent was insane and he closed down at end of contract Reduce rents to help small business

[@RUHappyATM]

LOL, years ago, when they also had penalty rates on weekends, there weren't extra charges!

[@adriennemarkjohn]

Hi there - an Australian here. We call dim sum yum cha here. Your bill would have had 15 to 20 percent added to it due to it being a public holiday and the staff needing to be paid penalty rates for working - they may have been due as much as double and a half their normal hourly rate. Your dollar against ours is much better as you pointed out. Last time I visited USA, I didn't eat at a restaurant even once due to the crippling conversion rate. Having said that, I have always found Australian wines cheaper there than they are here! I hope you continue to enjoy your holiday here and really, REALLY hope the boomerang you are taking home as a souvenir was made here. Thanks for your videos - you obviously have a large, loyal following. Happy New Year!

[@debrahooper1635]

Love the souvenirs, especially your mom's shirt. When I'm cruising, I get a t-shirt from every port. That's my souvenir! Enjoy your stay down under. Am enjoying your videos and am living it vicariously thru you.

[@shilogirl2350]

Hi Tony. Most restaurauts in Australia have a surcharge of 15% on public holidays due to paying staff higher wages on that day. At least here in Australia you are not required to tip on top of your bill.. Did you pay the surcharge?

[@RUHappyATM]

Remember the times when they had penalty rates on weekends, 20-30 years ago, yet no penalty charges on weekend. They seem to do okay back then.

[@robinosgood8985]

Enjoyed , you did great on the souvenirs, Jenny will love those starbuck cups very nice.

[@thedoc4478]

This is by far the best video you have made. Truly a window into your great creative soul!!

[@li20yang]

Happy new year! Dining out in Australia is more expensive than in the US, as the labor cost and rent are much higher. The good thing is that the price includes everything. You don't have to pay the tips, as there is no 'tip culture' in Australia although you may do it voluntarily, and relevant tax is included as well.

[@berniemystyle]

Years back my brother and I were in a Dimsum restaurant in Vancouver BC Canada. It was recommended to us by a fellow in a store we were shopping in. When we arrived we thought it had to be good as there were alot of Chinese families eating there. We sat down and like you said it just started like crazy tea and plates of food and the stamps yes....we both looked at each other and laughed as we had no idea how much this lunch was going to cost us. The food was amazing and we were stuffed but most importantly of all we were quite surprised at how inexpensive it was, lol, just lucked out I guess. Just started following your channel as well as Don`s and looking forward to your continued Australian adventure.

[@gsi095]

Don’t forget we pay people a real wage so tipping isn’t a big thing like in the US, add public holiday surcharge (staff would be paid 1.5x rate on that day to work) so that isn’t that bad

[@viviann8269]

Love your souvenirs! You must be homesick! I so enjoy your channel!

[@lone982]

In Sydney NSW on public holidays staff get paid 225%-250% of their normal pay and customers pay an 10-15% on top of normal prices. Also remember, you don't need to tip in Australia....

[@vickyb5935]

Must say this was the most fun video of yours that I have watched! It`s so obvious you are beyond happy being down under, hearing of your experiences, getting excited, showing your souvenirs proudly - can`t wait for the next video!

[@roberthamilton1301]

Glad you are enjoying our beautiful country. Thanks for the visit and the video Mate 👍

[@caroledunn9073]

Great video & souvenirs.

[@michellestrohn199]

I'm enjoying the Sydney content with you and Don!

[@classyvintagetravels6744]

Thank you! The restaurant sounds yummy! It’s good to see you having such a great time!

[@timothymahoney6719]

Enjoy the video and souvenir showing. Enjoy your trip.

[@charityjohnson5932]

Lunch sounded fabulous and loved all the souvenirs

[@Tonimaree25]

Loved this post, thanks Tony.

[@paulaleigh244]

I loved this video! You guys look like it would be a blast traveling with....definitely go back and get all those trinkets! Love the haul!

[@staceybertran52]

them were some awesome gifts Tony. Those shot glasses are so cool.

[@caroleanne8529]

Great video; excellent choices for souvenirs. Enjoy your trip!

[@virginiaviola5097]

Hey i only found your channel yesterday and have been binge watching all of your cruises and here you are on my home turf! Welcome to Australia and I hope you’ll come back and see some more of our Great Southern Land. Happy New Year and safe cruising 🇦🇺🦘🐨

[@laurieackerman94]

Good morning Tony. The videos are fantastic, excited about following your continued adventures in Australia.

[@taylahs.3808]

Good morning Tony!! Thanks again for allowing us to along with you. This is great.

[@susanjackson8652]

Thank you so much! For those of us who will not get to experience Australia, so much fun to get a little of your experience!

[@judybutler5129]

Tony, you're so adorable! I'm glad you and Don have had a great time in Sydney. Happy New Year, bud!

[@robyneverson5720]

nice to see you got to try tim tams my fav

[@mjimeneznyc]

What a great trip, thanks for sharing. We love DimSum here in NYC.

[@pamj4827]

Welcome to Australia, it’s nice to see you in this neck of the woods! The boomerang was upside down, you hold it up the other way. You should also try a Bunnings sausage as well as a meat pie.

[@cindysullivan1540]

I've never had dimsung thanks for sharing some fun insights! Looking forward to watching the cruise too!

[@ginabyrd503]

Happy New Year Tony, many blessings for 2023!

[@JohnFitzpatrickx]

Must be the season for dim sum. Had Christmas morning dim sum in San Francisco. Seriously highlight of the trip. Welcome to 2023 and thanks for hanging out in the future to make sure it is safe for the rest of us. Love you Tony. All good things to you and family for 2023

[@texasgirl8446]

Thanks Tony for the video

[@darryld_009]

Happy New Year. The time change is hitting you up at 2 in the morning. I love Dim Sum but it does add up quickly. The point is fast pace high volume because there are normally a line. Australia is still on my bucket list.

[@gregwhalan9606]

Hi Tony it’s great that you enjoyed the hospitality of the Aussies . The lunch you are referring to is called Yum Cha . I’m from Sydney and it’s good to share our city with our American friends

[@HelenBradley]

In Australia most people get paid a living wage and don't have to rely on tips to survive. What you paid didn't sound at all expensive to me. For me, I'd rather pay a fair price for my food and have my fellow citizens get health care and a social system that takes care of them when they most need it.

[@LaLidoLoca]

I would hope no one is looking for a meal to disadvantage someone. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chuckcanady578]

Happy New Year. You certainly have great energy and you have not even started carrrouuusing yet. Thanks for showing us around Sydney and the fabulous fireworks display. Enjoy!

[@shirleycraig2848]

Always wondered what Dim Sum was! Thanks for the info. Take care Tony.

[@gigiskitties499]

This was a fabulous vid! Can’t wait to see New Zealand 🎉

[@hansie481]

It looks like it is going to be a great day for your sail away. Have a wonderfull trip.

[@joannemurdock7899]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TONY🥰AND WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Dim sum has gotten expensive yes. Glad you got to experience it. It’s usually loud with people chatting and socializing can get very loud and buzzy in the restaurant. I see u had the “supreme” category of dim sum. Happy new year I just got off the anthem of the seas myself! Have a great 2023!

[@AmySwayzee]

Fun video like you just having fun. Glad you enjoyed the lunch! Dim Sum can be fun.

[@Kitsambler]

Frenetic pace is a sign of authentic dim sum - they're looking for a quick table turn. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jesseyoung9654]

That lunch total includes tax, and tips aren’t expected in Australia. It’s not hard to spend 40USD per person on a meal at a US chain restaurant once tax and tip is included!

[@debbiechristy9960]

What a bunch of stuff you've done in such a short amount of time, Tony - whewiiiiiiiie!! Great souvenir picks!! Enjoy your cruise and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[@vickyhunter80]

Love the update. Australia is on the bucket list. 😊

[@mandym9249]

You should come! It’s fantastic here!

[@stevenz2234]

What a great V-Log of your adventures in Sydney. Hope you can make it on the ship with all the new trinkets.

[@lindameyer6397]

Loving this and your souvenir choices…the van is my favorite! IMO the water drained counter clock wise.

[@aguptill1]

Best way to eat a TimTam is to dip it in your coffee, sip the coffee through the TimTam and then pop the biscuit in your mouth!! Yum!!! We have them in Canada now too!!

[@esalenchik]

World Market stocks them in the US, too… as well as vegemite, and other Australian delicacies 🤣

[@brontewcat]

Don’t forget the $180 is it - no tax on top, no tip. The staff were getting really good hourly rates because it was a public holiday.

[@lisaperkins3706]

HAHAHA...laughed my a$$ off when you stopped the video for a glass of water then the robe! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sheilakimmel4768]

Wow you are having so much fun! I want to go. I collect shot glasses, Starbucks cups & of course a magnet too. I love Dim sum. Never had it that expensive looked tasty

[@CruiseSeakers]

I love dim sum places. This is about normal pricing for a La carte places. When I worked in NYC we use to head over to China town a lot for lunch and some dim sum places had a fixed pricing for lunch but a smaller variety of plates, and it still was about 25.00 per person. And this was 2001 prices.

[@MattKTexas]

Love the Tim Tams! We have been to Australia a couple of times to visit friends and we always overdo the Tim Tams.

[@stefaniesoto810]

Did you climb the Sydney bridge? I love Sydney so much to see

[@marcusversace9423]

Any new years Lunch in Sydney is expensive. In Australia all businesses, including restaurants have to by law pay staff 2.5 times normal salary to work on a public holiday and this is reflected in the large tab at the end - thank god we do not a tipping culture here. Plus the lease on a city business would be high as the retail space in Sydney is among the most expensive in the world.

[@starlightshimmery]

That style of dining is called yum cha in Australia. I’ve only ever heard US tv shows or KZbinrs say Dim Sum. We have Dim Sims here but I think those are different again.

[@royfitz612]

Welcome to Aus. Glad you are loving your time here. FYI by Aus standards the restaurant wasn't expensive for three people. Enjoy your cruise you'll love NZ too. Both Don and yourself are my favourite KZbinrs. Have fantastic 23!

[@Ambarthetravellingchef]

Welcome to Sydney! Here in Australia waiters get paid liveable wages and on public holidays there is a surcharge as they get paid more on those days so you pay that surcharge. Plenty good less expensive restaurants out of the touristy areas. Recommend you Ummarin Thai in Randwick. You can take the light rail from CBD

[@pegedey1291]

I hope you get time adjusted. That was some lunch! Love the pressies for everyone.

[@Kskep]

Living the rockstar life!!!! Keep it rocking!!!!!

[@bettyschamber2049]

Our souvenirs are for our Christmas travel tree. When we go someplace new we get an ornament of some kind from there. We pull them out at Christmas and then put them up till next year.

[@scottmulrooney8483]

Great giveaways for the channel and cheap too! Gocha!

[@kazwilson425]

Yum cha! Love me a good yum cha. Did you have the mango pancakes? They're the best.

[@kikirush3642]

When do you start the cruise?

[@LaLidoLoca]

About 12 hours :)

[@skeevestevens8402]

Not sure if anyone has said this, but in Australia we don't call them Dim Sum restraunts, we call them 'Yum Cha'. $180 for 3-4 people also isn't expensive here. Also, Combi is pronounced 'Comm-bee'.

[@iloveentertainment]

I was thinking that too! It is “yum cha”. Also he is likely to have eaten in a tourist/city with high rent area on a public holiday with the surcharge. If he ate sushi (train) or japanese, it might be just as, if not more, expensive 🤔

[@TheFinnola]

Would have been cheaper deep in China Town!

[@radarman2011]

One other thing to note about your meal and its cost - Tipping is not normal in Australia (employees get a living wage) so that saves you 15%. Another thing to note - any sales taxes are already built into the price...

[@gerrygibeault]

In terms of your restaurant bill, I'm surprised that, as an American who would likely be expected to tip 20% at a US restaurant, you didn''t mention that tipping is not customary in Australia.

[@LaLidoLoca]

Well there was a tip line and I American so tips were given. :)

[@angelapayet6658]

@@LaLidoLoca Tony did the final cost include your tip, although not required in Australia, giving a tip shows that you enjoyed the experience/meal so I feel servers appreciate it more, but maybe that’s just me 🤷🏼‍♀️ Love your work Tony

[@Ginmegsy]

No need to tip but I guarantee a 10-15% public holiday surcharge was already applied

[@sav7568]

The Chinese customers in there with you would have tipped zero.

[@myphone-ph4hh]

​@@sav7568the Australians wouldnt have either. We expect people to be paid well.

[@emilydami7887]

Great souvenirs! You may have a problem with the snow globe. They usually do not allow those on the plane.

[@christinehampton2700]

Happy New Year, Tony! Loved the "souvenir haul" LOL, very fun! And unique from your previous content. Thanks for always publishing quality and fun entertainment.

[@timsmith1894]

Remember also, there aren't any tips involved. Every worker at that restaurant is making 20+ dollars per hour with health care and 4 weeks paid vacation, if they are a Permanent Resident or citizen of Australia.

[@Dugger1991]

Great video!!! Happy New Year!!! Dim Sum in NYC is exactly like that.

[@trbarton743]

Yes I’ve been to restaurants in San Francisco where the carts come around & it was fun. Yes you do have to be careful as to what & how many you pick.

[@jenchapman9839]

Aaawwwww you gave me a shout out and got me a shot glass!!!! Thank you SO much!!!

[@justm88]

The dim sum cart is traditional style, lots of dim sum restaurants now don’t do that, you order from a paper order list instead. The dim sum cart is more fun! Really enjoy your Australia videos so far, have fun!

[@lisacastellano3836]

Hey hey hey Tony. This is great. Thank you for taking us along. Happy new year 🎉✨

[@RMR_IRL]

Tony you did a great job on the souvenirs!! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@Gaffa3007]

One of the reasons meals can be more expensive here (especially during a holiday) is that we don’t have a tipping culture so all employees involved in meal are payed a normal wage (more so during the holiday as they are missing their break). I have no worries paying more if those serving me get a quality of life which means they in turn get to buy stuff which keeps the next person in a job… it all works out. Though $180 is a but rich.

[@nicza460]

Fun video! The dim sum lunch looked good and enjoyed your souvenir review. I vote you go back to that box thing and pick at least one mystery toy.

[@richardcrowell284]

A Kombi also is a van or a ute, they are a popular vehicle to convert.

[@charlesmichaelsheppard8575]

Been to Australia many times as our daughter lived there for six years people are v friendly loved AUS and New Zealand you will love Melbourne have fun enjoy yr blogs

[@timbrown8581]

Hi Tony, welcome to our country and I'm glad you're having a great time. All the best for the new year!

[@Brenlynne-]

Such a fun adventure!

[@michaelarkin6839]

Great video, Tony. You definitely need some sleep. Have a great trip!

[@angielovett4159]

Oh wow! I’d totally buy a boomerang! Awesome! The shot glasses were super cool too! Ive never done a dim sum restaurant yet, but I’m sure it was delicious.

[@ParrotplaySix]

I enjoyed this video very much. Yes, please go to the vending machine when you come back from your cruise. Love the gifts you bought for everyone too!

[@garycooper4982]

welcome to Sydney Australia hope you have a great time here

[@cb8741]

Great Video!!

[@gavintill1743]

That souvenir collecting of the land down under brought back memories of our first cruise.

[@christinaniehuser4488]

Thanks For Sharing Tony .. Enjoy the Rest of Your Time , Sydney Adventure !

[@kengodbold1142]

Loved the Sydney transportation. You can ride and sail all over and there are caps, different on different days, and that is all it will cost you. Food is expensive but they do not add tax and no tipping. The cost does include those amounts that you would pay on top of the check.

[@kerri01]

If you find some extra space for souvenirs KMart have plenty of inexpensive Australiana items which would make good gifts, especially in the homewares and craft sections. Harry’s Cafe de Wheels is a good place to get a pie. The Woolloomooloo store is right on the harbour foreshore but there are other stores in town. I recommend the Tiger.

[@lisafreeman5115]

Did you go to the Steve Irwin Australian Zoo?? I so want to go there some day because it looks amazing!!! Glad you and Don are having an awesome time! Enjoy the journey - Lisa, Florida

[@sav7568]

That place is 600 miles from Sydney.

[@shannonb7438]

Dangit Tony now I've got that song stuck in my head!!! Lol