Tips For Tourists in USA! with Don't Trust The Rabbit

Some things that might be helpful to know when visiting the U.S.!
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[@johnlabus7359]

To further confuse the shopping experience in the USA, some states do not have a sales tax.

[@williamlucas4656]

Just remember it will always be less tax than Europe.

[@daleburrell6273]

But that's generally on certain items...

[@lifelesspoet]

Exciting tourist destinations like Delaware, Montana, Alaska and New Hampshire.

[@williamlucas4656]

lifelesspoet Maybe not exciting for those who don't like skiing, mountain climbing, whale watching, nature unspoiled ...and Delaware has great beaches and the Chesapeake Bay as well.

[@lifelesspoet]

You got me, I don't find any of those things exciting. I will say though, I had a lot of fun panning for gold in Montana, but I wouldn't fly across the world for the experience.

[@dschonsie]

You can drive a car or fly a plane, marry and have children, own and carry a weapon, work and pay taxes, vote, become a soldier and go to war, get arrested or sentenced to death before your 21th birthday, but you aren't allowed to drink a beer. That makes sense.

[@countertenor5890]

I believe if you're in the military you can drink t 18.

[@jrm21386]

21st... Just sayin'. But I agree with you. Mind you, Germany has some strange rules/allowances regarding minors witnessing pretty hardcore porn, and minors' admittance into mixed nude saunas. Priorities.

[@roberts1677]

I know. I've been saying for years that if you're old enough to fight for your country, then you're old enough to have a beer. As for different rules for the military, basically it's the commander's choice between 21 (or possibly no drinking at all), or the host country's age limit. For example, the drinking age in Japan is 20, so when I was there with the Navy, 20 year olds could drink. However, earlier this year, there were some incidents, and for a while Navy personnel in Japan were restricted from drinking regardless of age.

[@QTJoe]

There's always talk about lowering it, but it never happens.

[@williamlucas4656]

The national drinking age was lowered in 1972 and immediately drunk driving accidents went up. The age was raised again and accidents went down. The problem is poor public transport nationwide, limited DUI enforcement, and a very suburbanized lifestyle that precludes simply walking home. Police in most cities are stretched very thin and only operate check points on major holidays.

[@MultiRemixDude]

I'm acctually glad that Europe is obligated to put the price with taxes on the tag.

[@davidhoffman5789]

We have a lot of local city option sales taxes that may be temporary so we sometimes break out every local sales tax or fee as a separate line item.

[@Lexduden]

I don't know if the inclusion of every tax is a EU regulation (I wouldn't be surprised) or not. In Germany all taxes MUST be included in the price listed, such as the tax on sparkling wine. But the only tax that is listed on any receipt is VAT 7% or 19% (value added tax, in German commonly referred to Mehrwertsteuer (means exactly the same). But the correct term is Umsatzsteuer. I understand that there are many variations of taxation in the US but it makes life so much easier if you know exactly what you have to pay. 0,99 € is 0,99 € at register and one can count the money appropriately.

[@MultiRemixDude]

Lexduden I'm from austria, so I'm not sure about taxes in germany, never had to think about that. But I didn't know that you'd have 7% taxes as well. Here you have 10 or 20%, while 20% is widely spread. And if my sales-education wouldn't fail me now, I'd tell you which those are. Fuck me. Well how would you accidentally spend more money than you thought you would, when you already know the exact, taxed prices?!?!?

[@keegster7167]

yea; that would be so nice. I think it should be mandatory in the U.S. too.

[@Potatopatch]

If you go to a state like Delaware in the US, then there isn't any tax at all. So the price you pay is what is on the tag.

[@irian42]

I think one of THE most important tips for German tourists driving in the US is the different right-of-way rules as right does not automatically have priority!

[@kentix417]

What do you mean by that?

[@JenniferFuss]

You might find people speeding past you on the right. You might as well, in the South, notice that you may cross to the right at a redlight even though no green arrow indicating it.

[@kentix417]

Not just the South, most everywhere has that rule. It's called right on red. If you come to a stop at a red light and look to your left and see no traffic coming and no pedestrians crossing in front of your path then you can make a right turn. But only after coming to a complete stop. And if there is a sign that says No Turn on Red then you can't do it either. And yes, people should generally pass on the left on the highway but they don't always do that. In the city, they could pass any way.

[@JenniferFuss]

Discussed it with a friend, who joyfully rolled over a redlight to the right (to my shock), he did mention that it might not be the rule in like NY/Jersey ^^;

[@kentix417]

If he did it without stopping he could've gotten a ticket. If a policeman had been there to see it, he would have. I know there might be some exceptions somewhere but generally more than 90% of the places you go have that rule. Like many laws here, it is governed by the state, and each state can make its own rules. But mostly they are all very similar to keep things easier.

[@elchavoguero]

Nobody actually says "luncheon meat". It's just "lunch meat". That part actually cracked me up. Otherwise, very on point. As an American who's also lived in Germany, this was an excellent video.

[@jameshorn270]

Maybe a regional oor generational issue.

[@Dudemon-1]

@@jameshorn270 Yeah. "Luncheon Meat" is also used.

[@valerieannrumpf4151]

I'm from NY, so I call luncheon meat cold cuts.

[@elchavoguero]

@@valerieannrumpf4151 I'm from OH, and cold cuts or even deli meat are totally normal here too

[@dcseain]

Here in the NE US, tipping is at 20% usually.

[@emilyd7191]

I live in the midwest, and I switched to 18% for average service and 20-22% for excellent service. I think 15% is a little outdated at this point.

[@SenorSchnitz]

Funny fact: DISNEY decides how much "average tipping" is. How? Well - when you eat at Disney (with a large group) - they automatically add the tipp to the bill. And the service Industrie takes this as the (un)official standard for tipping. Right now - Disney adds 18 percent - so that´s what the average tip is right now.

[@MUtley-rf8vg]

Same where I live in the NW. 15% is minimum baseline. Or maybe Dana's just a shrewd tipper? Both my sisters worked as restaurant servers for years and they will not tip more than 15% unless they think the server has done an exceptional job. I guess I'm easy.

[@caseyvee4419]

I used to think the idea of mandatory tipping was good in vacation areas, because a lot of people might stiff service staff, figuring they would never see them again. However, on the last couple of cruises I have been on, though I had paid in advance for service (12.50 per day on one ship, 16.00 per day on another), the waitstaff could not stop talking about their "extra gratuity". I have no problem with the 18% you mention, but the thing of double tipping and pandering for tips is something I don't like. Example would be where you mention here that 18% is added for groups, then waiter kept asking for more throughout the meal.

[@KevinTower]

Disney is far from the only company that does this. Many (most?) medium- to high-end restaurants will add a 18% gratuity for large groups here in the US.

[@barbie7034]

15% tip on your restaurant bill in the US is standard but it really is the minimum. 20% is far more appreciated by servers and is expected if you are not a teenager or young student. if you leave any less than 15% you will probably insult the server and they will assume you were upset about something. If you are ever insulted or treated very badly it is appropriate to leave no tip but never return. tipping over 20% happens all the time for extremely good service or when you want to especially thank the server for going above & beyond your expectations. if you are buying whole bottles of wine with your meal there is a very big markup on the cost and the restaurant makes a lot of money on them. It's appropriate to only tip 10% on bottles of wine. Individual glasses or alcoholic beverages get the same 15 to 20%

[@ioanarosca6985]

Oh my God, the tip is so hight in America. In Europe in general is like 10% if everything is ok, about 8% if something not so important went wrong and 5% if it was not so good. Of course, if you put more than 10% it was really excelent and if something went teribly wrong you can also leave without leaving anything, but this is an exception, because is really bad.

[@polypapa6619]

I've never tipped. Neither in the US nor in the EU. It's a luxury for me to go out once a year and spend $20 on a dish and a drink for myself. It's either that or go to a movie theatre twice a year and spend $5 there. But it really makes me feel bad not to be able to afford a beverage, a bottle of water or popcorn there ...

[@vroni2011]

I'm currently on an exchange semester in the US and I have 3 Asian room mates, one of them got super pissed when I told her she had to give at least 15% tips, since our waiter was super nice and constantly made sure we had all we needed and stuff. She just doesn't get that it's simply a different concept. Being from Austria, I don't like the this way of doing it either, but I understand that this is just how it works in the US and that the waiter has bills to pay too

[@davidhoffman5789]

One day there will be enough citizens of the USofA who are more educated and worldly so that we can eliminate almost all tipping for any service. Yes, prices will rise but no more need to figure out tips. Similar to some resorts that we go to. In the interim maybe we can increase wages and benefits so that tips can go back to 10% of the entire bill. Nice easy calculation.

[@kentix417]

Congratulations, vroni, you get it. It might not be your favorite thing but, as you said, it is how the server gets paid and they have their own bills to pay. Thank you for trying to educate your friend.

[@kentix417]

Congratulations, vroni, you get it. It might not be your favorite thing but, as you said, it is how the server gets paid and they have their own bills to pay. Thank you for trying to educate your friend.

[@jameshorn270]

it is because under Reagan, they set up a separate system where the minimum wage for tipped jobs was under $3 an hour, and it has not been raised in almost 40 years. This does two things, allows the employer to disguise the true price of food and services, and avoid paying social security tax on nearly $5 an hour that he would pay if he was paying the normal minimum wage. Before the submiinimum wage tipping was 10% for better than average service and maybe 5% for average service. BTW, the waiter will not absolutely starve if he or she does not make enough in tips. The employer has to make up the difference between the subminimum wage and the minimum wage if the employee's tips do not bring the total up to at least the minimum wage. Still, that is pretty low.

[@CB-hw7iu]

Well there is the option of not going out to dinner.

[@marcuspi999]

If you made Americans pay to use the toilet, we'd just pee on the side of the building. No question.

[@snackpack3787]

100% agree

[@schnertblatt]

You may be too young to remember, but, at one time (may have been from the sixties to the early 70s) there WERE pay toilets; a nickel or a dime, I think. I think it was just in airports, bus stations, etc. I guess there was enough of a public outcry that they were done away with. HOWEVER, here in San Francisco at least, there are stand-alone public restrooms that cost a quarter to get into.

[@KWatson1984]

Not necessarily, I live in Indianapolis, Indiana where you can go downtown and walk into nearly any restaurant or shop and find a public bathroom... Yet when I recently visited Cleveland, Ohio, which is a only a few hours away, when downtown you had to be a paying customer to use one. The city was not covered in pee... but it was kind of annoying.

[@Datislekkerdrinken]

I'm dutch, but I totally understand your ''point of view''.

[@pottingsoil]

We already do after one beer.

[@kikyo4815]

Public washrooms/rest areas are also free to use here in Canada, and I remember hearing about having to pay to use public washrooms in some places in Europe and it just baffled me. It almost feels like it's _encouraging_ public urination haha

[@AylaMarionSU]

5:15 "You're in Florida..." Me: "Ahhh" "It's 30 degrees" Me: WHA "Celsius" Me: ...Oh.

[@Johnny-wv9cn]

I got to 5:15 just as I read this and I didn't have enough time to second guess her words. She flat out says 30 degree celcius" soooooooo

[@qwertyls8552]

americans with their peasant's Fahrenheits

[@norman3605]

Keep Germans out of trouble: tell them about open container laws.

[@markbollinger1343]

I hate those laws. I understand we dont want people walking around drunk and causing problems (most common this is a problem with college kids); but why does it matter if someone is walking around drinking a beer they aren't drunk and not bothering anyone.

[@grantcivyt]

+Mark Bollinger We like to give the police lots of different ways to harass people and maybe arrest, assault or kill them. Germany has the "Sunday rest" laws, running out of gas in the autobahn or not using a proper honorific when talking to police.

[@daleburrell6273]

+grantcivyt Speak for YOURSELF-! I HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATES OUR POLICE OFFICERS!!! And rest assured, I'm WELL aware that there are BAD COPS...but I'm willing to take into account that police officers are HUMAN, and I'm aware of the risks they take EVERY DAY, and what they have to DEAL WITH EVERY DAY, and I'm aware of how little suppose and encouragement police officers receive this days...

[@grantcivyt]

Dale Burrell Of course I'm speaking for myself. I didn't claim otherwise. I have plenty of cop friends who joke about abusing their power. I blame them for the abuse, but the incentive is there for abuse, so I may well behave the same way in their shoes. The real problem, as I was hoping to illustrate with my comment, is bad laws that undermine the moral standing of police. It's one thing to kill someone during the commission of a robbery, but it's a very different thing to kill a man over a broken taillight.

[@KreeZafi]

Tipping scares me. I want to pay for what I'm eating, that's it. The US should fix their wages instead. I live in Sweden and we don't usually tip as far as I know. Maybe you round up the payment a little bit if you're particularly pleased with the restaurant (so if it's 48 euros you pay 50, although we don't use euros) but you definitely don't pay anyone a significant amount of extra money. I'm not even sure the extra money would go to the waiter anyway, I believe it might go to the restaurant just like the rest of the payment, but I don't know.

[@cecasander]

In my experience (in the Netherlands), all excess money that you don't give to a specific person gets put into a collective tip jar, that gets divided between all staff every month or so. In fact, waiters are sometimes required to put their 'own' tips into the jar as well. I also know of companies where the tips aren't actually divided between people, but they use the money to go out to eat together or something like that.

[@allbackiceland]

Even with the tipping, in general restaurants are a lot cheaper in America than in Europe. If wages went up a lot then many people could no longer afford to eat out. (And many more would no longer have jobs.)

[@bencze465]

That's weird logic, why would it cost more? if you must tip then it would be the same money anyway. I also think it doesn't make sense to tip if you're not actually happy with the service. I don't care if it's the cook or the janitor, the waiter represents the restaurant, they are responsible. How they share that responsibility inside, should definitely not be my problem... I can't and don't want to investigate which person ruined my food, or mood.

[@allbackiceland]

Hauke Holst LOL, the people I'm talking about don't eat where you tip. They'd get the extra 10 dollars added to their meal anyway though. Hence the service and jobs would disappear.

[@jrm21386]

Then you are extremely easily "scared". Nobody is forcing these people to work at the restaurant. Simultaneously, nobody is expecting to raise a family on restaurant wages. I live in Germany, and waitresses/waiters are significantly less attentive than what I'm used to in America.

[@AhmetMurati]

I never been to USA but I've watched many movies so basically I knew all of thing like tipping the server, and other things. I used to work with people from New York.

[@brendamashburn5101]

Back in the 60's in some places it cost you a dime for the restroom. Each door had a box that you put the dime in for the door, to the toilet, to open. Or if you were a kid you just crawled under the door then opened the door.

[@WantedAdventure]

+Brenda Mashburn oh that's interesting! I wonder when/why they ended up doing away with that and making them free.

[@BKITU]

Wanted Adventure Pay toilets started falling out of use in the early '70s as a gender equality issue. In an emergency, men are much more able to just pull to the side of the road and find a discreet bush, but women generally need complete facilities. It was being seen more and more as an unfair surcharge for being a woman.

[@daleburrell6273]

One of the few times that I can remember seeing pay toilets, I recall that there was at least one free stall available...the only problem was that it had no door: you could use the toilet, but you had no PRIVACY! (blush)

[@xg6hpyk]

I remember there was a sex discrimination law suit brought against someone for pay toilets because women would have to pay to use a stall while men's rooms had free urinals.

[@techorix]

actually toilets in gas stations are free in germany. you just have to ask and theyre usually not that nice, in other areas you usually pay an amount thats up to you, only recently they put on certain stalls where its 75c and 50c refund coupon

[@PeBu34]

I love to see both of you in one video! This was very interesting and you did a good job! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@user-vg8mc8yv4n]

wtf I'm leaving to student's exchange to America today and right now this video Appears :D

[@user-vg8mc8yv4n]

***** thank you :D

[@f.j.9391]

+JonnyBlack| ραѕѕισηαтє є∂ιтѕ what state?

[@waltzingaranel]

A fine coincidence. I hope your flight was acceptable and that you enjoy your visit.

[@amsssst23]

viel glück!! ich war letztes jahr :)

[@user-vg8mc8yv4n]

F. J. Illionois, just arrived back home

[@auntyangie33]

We were very impressed with the US rest stops when we travelled from Chicago to Huston by car.

[@hectorcardenas2171]

So pretty much you enjoyed the Midwest scenery.

[@auntyangie33]

We did. Indeed.

[@waltzingaranel]

I have a friend who works as a rest area/stop attendant in the Midwest. She'd be glad to hear your opinion.

[@kentix417]

I stopped at one in Oklahoma about a month ago that was really actually beautiful. I wanted to go back. :)

[@idgiethreadgoode1498]

I knew that stuff already, but it's been a fun video of you two again! Thanks very much! :)

[@Andyw1228]

You Two are so cute and your vids are always informative. Trixi, your eyes are hypnotizing!

[@Volteer]

Actually they make me uncomfortable with how black they are from all the makeup. But I guess some people like that...

[@Andyw1228]

+MegaMapler2000 I was refering to her eyes not her lashes or brows

[@SenorSchnitz]

I like them very much!

[@daleburrell6273]

+MegaMapler2000 Well, "you can't please EVERYBODY!"

[@burkholder1992]

Cool video. As someone that has worked in the service industry, 18-20% is becoming the new standard, actually. When I visited Europe I was really surprised that I needed to pay to use the restroom. Some restaurants here in the U.S. I have noticed will want you to buy something in order to use the restroom, so it is not totally free. Everything else in the video I agreed with as I am from the U.S.

[@markbollinger1343]

Yeah I think thats usual in urban areas and keep homeless people from coming in all the time, which can lead to crowding or "sink showers" etc.

[@Matthew_Haas]

Overall some pretty good advice. although I consider 20% the standard rate for tipping and still feel guilty when not tipping that amount here in Germany. Regarding the taxes, there is at least one state (Minnesota) that does not tax clothing (or non-prepared food, for that matter), so the price you see really is the price you pay. I think this is meant to not over-tax lower-income people, but tax-free shopping at the Mall of America probably encourages the practice.

[@mast6209]

be careful. when you tip too much in germny you could be considered arrogant!

[@CorwynCelesil]

I am from Montana, and we have got no sales tax either, so every time I go out of state, I am constantly being (unpleasantly) surprised by taxes in clothing stores and grocery stores.

[@sebastianurbas7699]

tipping 20% in Germany would be considered arrogant. Only obnoxious people do this.

[@CorwynCelesil]

I'm curious to know why.

[@mickhamelo4795]

here in brazil we pay a lot in taxes, i read that between 35% and 40% of the price of clothes are taxes on production/transportation (not sure if includes sale). i was wondering if the no tax that u talk about is on sale only, or also production, do u have an idea?

[@TigersTimelessTreasures]

Not having back to Germany in almost 20 years, I had actually forgotten about expensive restrooms. Thanks for the reminder. I will go back next year to visit friends and family and I do need a refresher!

[@3DJapan]

5:50 In Florida you might also want a light jacket because of the rain. In the summer it rains almost every day for like 20 minutes or so. And it surprises you. It could be bright and sunny one minute and totally pouring the next.

[@magellan8449]

Legal drinking age for beer (and wine) in Germany is actually 14 years as long as you are in the company of a custodial person.

[@StephenBoothUK]

Here in the UK you can drink alcohol from age five at home, 14 in a pub or restaurant with a substantial meal and 18 in a pub unsupervised and you can buy alcohol. In practice this is generally ignored most places.

[@salmathecopt7969]

lol terrible

[@prestigejunkie1st]

That is total BS. don't spread such dumb information.

[@foobar7005]

@LittleMrsSunshine get your facts straight before getting cocky. §9 JuSchG: (1) In Gaststätten, Verkaufsstellen oder sonst in der Öffentlichkeit dürfen [...] 2. andere alkoholische Getränke an Kinder und Jugendliche unter 16 Jahren weder abgegeben noch darf ihnen der Verzehr gestattet werden. (2) Absatz 1 Nr. 2 gilt nicht, wenn Jugendliche von einer personensorgeberechtigten Person begleitet werden.

[@prestigejunkie1st]

You're right, and i apologise. Nevertheless the Fact itself totally shocks me:

[@HDDcam73]

Taxes not included in the price... bugger that haha!

[@MikeJohnson-ut7lx]

Letters are $.47 postcards are $.34. There is no tax on postage.

[@johnsanford3596]

Personally, I prefer being reminded with EVERY PURCHASE exactly how much government is taking from me. It IS annoying that the sales tax, and thus the ""out the door price", can vary simply by walking across the street into a different city. Note that NOT all states have sales tax, and different states tax different things at different rates. In some states, food from the grocery store isn't taxed.

[@notme222]

In some states it's actually ILLEGAL to post the final price including tax. I was working for Six Flags amusement parks in the 90s when they wanted to post prices that way. (It was easier on travelers and made it more obvious that our prices were picked to be rounded dollars after tax.) We were forced to revert.

[@MrJest2]

+Mike Drummond - "Taxes not included in the price" They (that is, the shop owners) can do that if they want - for example, I run a food truck, and its easier for all involved to just post the prices including tax. I also keep the prices to whole numbers so I don't have to handle coins (although that matters less these days since everyone uses debit/credit cards most times). However... the problem is that tax rates are not uniform; they vary wildly from state to state, county to county, and city to city. I only operate in one city, partly because I don't want the hassle of calculating the tax rate for roaming just a few miles away and entering another tax jurisdiction with a different rate. Newer "point of sale" computer systems will do that for you these days, but that means not posting the tax on the base price, because you don't want to print up different menus for each city. And this is why most places in the US don't include tax, because most places you go are multi-jurisdictional companies operating in many states, counties, and cities. The logistical headache of adjusting prices for thousands of different locations, each with their own unique tax rate, just makes it impractical. We just rely on the local customers being familiar with their own tax rate and being able to make their own mental calculations of the "real price" in their heads while shopping.

[@MrJest2]

+notme222 - Where was this? I've never heard of that before...

[@spriddlez]

The explanation for why tax is not on the price of things (which I can respect but would prefer tax be included in the price) is that if you think something is super expensive, say a $50 shirt but $15 of that shirt was taxes (an extreme example), you might be inclined to think the store is over charging you. But the stores fought to have them display the price without tax so the customer knows what the store is charging and can place the 'blame' for the expensive cost on the correct source. Something like that.

[@kiouki]

Funny that you post this video these days. I'll be on my very first trip to the US in less than 2 weeks so this was very helpful :D

[@robweaver566]

Tipping is so different here to there, I can't believe it basically supports the poor server's wage. Also that bit about the postman dropping off as well as picking up- what a good idea!!

[@samnegin2269]

Why wouldn't the postman pick up the mail, as well? She/he is already at the person's house, so why not pick up what is there?

[@valinor77]

Drinking beer, age 21 getting shot for your country, age 18 Things i don't understand

[@silverstar1178]

you can also vote at 18, and drive at 15.

[@RalphReagan]

It was 18 for a while post vietnam the pro drinking at 18 campaign had a sgt. from the vietnam war and the ad said "its never Miller time for Sargent so and so"

[@alien_unattended7115]

silverstar1178 To drive you have to be sixteen here in Texas. Depends on the state.

[@casidyjulian]

Don't worry most Americans don't understand that law either.

[@binaway]

You think it's OK to give beer to somebody in possession of a semi automatic military weapon.

[@sterling_max]

Dana I love these videos :). I'm leaving to Las Vegas in about to months and these videos are super useful . Thanks

[@magdapicola8525]

Really informative video! I love it 💕

[@SeleniaSommers]

A good thing about the taxes being separated from the price of the product is that you know what you are paying for the government In brazil, if they did this, there would be an uproar! On eletronics, the taxes go as high as 300%!

[@sarcasticluigi]

I've lived in the US my whole life, and I vividly remember the one time I had to pay to pee. I was at the beach and I want to say it was a quarter to use the restrooms and it made me so angry because I shouldn't have to pay to not have this uncomfortable sensation in my bladder.

[@1justanotherchannel]

Again a great video with really interesting information. Thank you :-)

[@3DJapan]

8:15 I was just talking with my dad about hotel breakfasts since he used to work in the hotel industry. Some places have a nice breakfast like you described here. others have a free "continental" breakfast. Which may be nothing but a dry Danish and coffee.

[@erickofspirit]

Sure, public restrooms in America are free. BUT you have the potential of walking into a dirty restroom. I'm just so picky when it comes to using a public restroom because I pretty much know of what I might walk into. I'm not going to lie, it's quite embarrassing how many Americans will treat public places (including the public restrooms of course). Whereas in Germany (and a few other countries in Europe) it doesn't bother me that I have to pay to use a public restroom. If paying fifty cents to one Euro means I'm guaranteed to walk into a clean public restroom, then I have no problem paying at all. But yeah, I try to avoid using the public restrooms here in the US because I've had a bit of experience knowing what how the conditions of the restrooms will be if I walk in there.

[@freakyRunner]

here in Germany we have also free restrooms at the Autobahn but the free ones mostly dirty the restrooms for what you have to pay are usually at gas stations and are usually very clean. and usually costs the use 50cent but you get a coupon and you can to redeem in the gas station and get it credited 25cent. So does the use of the restrooms only 25cent sorry for my bad english greetings from Germany

[@waltzingaranel]

Except in desperation or an emergency, avoid all gas stations, porta-potties and outhouses (like in a park/camping area). Fast food restaurants, crowded public venues, and highway rest areas are a dice toss. Nice restaurants sometimes have signs asking you alert their workers if you find a dirty room, but it's usually too late to improve your opinion of them by then. I think I would like to start paying for restroom use if it was a guarantee of cleanliness; I usually feel guilty about it being free and buy a drink or something from the establishment.

[@erickofspirit]

Yeah I've never used the restroom at a gas station. I've only used a porta-potty once as a kid and never used one since. When you're by a porta-potty, it gives out a smell. Especially when it's windy and the wind carries the bad smell from the porta-potty in your direction.

[@williamlucas4656]

The restrooms on interstates and toll road rest stops are usually satisfactory. Also fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Otherwise a log and some leaves will do, just like our ancestors.

[@knfaiix15]

Not that many free bathrooms these days. I've used a bathroom at a subway station once. It was dire, and I don't think I would do it again. I would have to say most bathrooms aren't free though (at least in NY). There are always signs that say, "restrooms are for customers only". And when you buy something the code for the bathroom is on the receipt. Side note: there are only bathrooms if place is big enough (at a restaurant), since there's this rule that states customers cannot go through the kitchen to use the bathroom. It's some health code violation.

[@kopfnuss987]

I think it's just so absurd to have air conditioning that makes you freeze. It's such a waste of energy -.-

[@sarahr.1076]

My father worked in the US and told me about that. In summer the offices would be freezing cool (below 20°C) and in winter really really hot :D. But I think, that's not just a US thing, because in Thailand it was also very cold inside the buildings (one room sometimes was about 16-17°C in the morning, where I did my internship -.-).

[@ennoimperatube9202]

I used to live in Thailand for 7 years. In the beginning, when I still loved the tropical heat and sun, I felt the same. I hated the aircon, it made me sick. But after a while, I got used to the heat in a negative way. Tropical heat and humanity actually can be quite tiring and exhausting. It fells great to step into a 20cC 7 11 store after suffering the heat for hours. It also feels great to sleep in a well temperate room after being in the heat the whole day. But sure, I also didn't like to work in an over acclimatized room for too long. One of the best things being back in Europe is enjoying the sun (when it shows up). In tropical countries you better hide from it.

[@mickhamelo4795]

when i was at university here in brazil, the air conditioning in some classrooms would be freezing as well, the explanation i had from a teacher was that there is studies that show a better focus and productivite under those circunstances.

[@JessRansdellSmith]

There are actually a few reasons behind it. For one, most of the U.S. is very hot during the summer (26-32C or above). Now that is tolerable if you live on the West Coast U.S. where the heat is dry with little moisture. Most of us with summertime AC (like Florida) have a lot of humidity to go along with it. Nothing like the temperature telling you it's 32C and when you step outside you feel like you stepped into a sauna because the humidity is 80-90%. It's very refreshing, then, to walk into a store or movie theater with AC that cools you down quickly. The problem arises when you are in there for a 3 hour movie and eventually it's too cold. Then it's nice to walk back out into the sweltering heat. Another reason to make you freeze...being cold makes you eat more (to give you the energy to shiver/warm your body up) so food-based establishments use this to get you to spend more money.

[@RainCheck797]

Lotti Nut I live in Texas where 6 months out of the year it is 90 degrees Ferinhieght or higher humidity 90 percent. 4 months out of the year the low is 70 and 2 months of "winter" 50-60 and one or two days in the 40s so yes we love our cold movie theaters and groceries stores. Sorry I don't know Celsius I blame or public school system.

[@brittanyvulture5253]

I've worked as a server in Germany for several years now and from my experience the average tip percentage is about 7-10%. But still, I see the tip as kind of an reward for having made a good job and had the customer feel good and comfortable. So if you really gave a bad service then of course your tip will be lower or even no tip at all.

[@saorlandini0]

I don't know why, but Dana's naive personality always makes me smile.

[@guidethelight3707]

I found the pain medicine part pretty interesting. I've seen pills in movie theater vending machines and never thought anything of it.

[@classyblogroxy]

Thanks a lot for this video! I'm travelling to America for the first time ever in 5 days 🎉🇺🇸

[@ninah.5242]

have fun! 🙈

[@kentix417]

Let us know if you need help when you're there.

[@classyblogroxy]

will do!

[@classyblogroxy]

thanks :)

[@Egerieg]

Some things I didn't know. Very good and informative video! :D

[@HUNdAntae]

Dana i love your collabs with Trixi! Keep it up, ladies!

[@kaseyfox6913]

20% Is what I have always been told you should tip.

[@silverstar1178]

same.

[@erictaylor5462]

You should do a video on the German obsession with the American West.

[@montanus777]

yeah, as a german i would be very interested, because i never heard about that.

[@jrm21386]

I've been to a crazy German furniture store in Hessen, that is the epitome of what he's talking about: www.seatsandsofashanau.de/

[@kentix417]

I think he means places like the Grand Canyon and such. There are always a lot of German tourists at the Grand Canyon.

[@montanus777]

Kentix the thing is probably that not too many tourists want to visit the north east of the states (maybe except for NYC), because it's quite similar to europe. so, when you pay a bunch of money to travel to the states, most people probably want to see places that aren't that similar to what they could see at home. when you pay to leave civilization you probably want to head for an adventure in the 'real wilderness'. :P

[@kentix417]

Yeah, but I will say I have noticed it myself. Germans (in general, or at least the ones who make it over here) seem to have a fascination with cowboys and Indians and all that. I know it's not really everyone but there are lots like that.

[@coriowl4689]

funny(ish) story, one time me and my friends decided to go to a new nearby movie theater together, for which we looked up the ticket prices online and discovered that they were ten dollars per adult. Well, we all get there with 11 dollars in hand because we were expecting their to be an extra tax attached, but the tickets actually ended up being only 10 dollars, we were all quite surprised.

[@BlickwinkL]

Großartiges Format! Bitte mehr davon. 👍😊

[@petitecontrebassiste]

I generally tip 5-10% here in Austria, depending on how fancy everything is. if I just go for coffee, I usually just round up, so if it's 2.70€, I'll say 3. but my sister works as a server, and she actually lives off tips regarding her daily life. so not including bills for phone, rent, etc, those she pays with her wages, but food, clothes, all that she can get with her tips. if you're good at your job, you really can make money with tips here as well. but then it's also an incredibly stressful job.

[@Markle2k]

Back in the 1970s, the IRS (the federal tax agency) started requiring restaurant employers to withhold taxes from the wages of servers equivalent to 10% of the price of meals served. This was because many, if not most, servers were not paying taxes on this income. In expensive restaurants in large cities, servers could make quite a large income just from their tips. The only way to make it fair to all was to make this policy uniform. The point is that if you tip less than 10%, you are actually causing them to be taxed on income they have not earned. You are taking money out of their pockets.

[@Markle2k]

Just to clarify, at that time, 10% was considered the standard gratuity. Since then the minimum wage not only has not kept pace with inflation, the minimum wage for servers in restaurants is substantially less than the ordinary minimum wage. In small restaurants the server minimum wage is the standard wage.

[@StephenBoothUK]

I think a tip should be a genuine gratuity, what you give a server who has gone above a beyond. Other wise you're just enabling the owner/manager paying below the proper rate. I've heard reports (from court cases) of restaurant owners paying below minimum wage on base salary citing that they expect servers to be getting tips which make up the rest. A lot of places in London will automatically add a 15-20% 'tip' to your bill. I've found that those places tend to give very poor service, sometimes that 'tip', or if you use your credit card and push the button to add a gratuity, never reaches the server but goes straight to the manager or owner. Friends who have been to the US say that the tipping culture there is disturbing. Also disturbing is how you can be charged for just going into a regular bar, especially as often there will only be a charge for men, women get in free. Female friends said that it felt like the bar was pimping them out. They went in not knowing about the charge the men were paying but the men, having paid the charge and knowing that the women hadn't paid, behaved as if the women were obligated to talk to them.

[@Markle2k]

+Stephen Booth You won't get charged for entering a normal bar unless there is entertainment. The term is "cover charge", BTW. The cover charge is to pay the band or DJ. "Ladies Night" is typically on Wednesday, and for that, in a regular bar, the women generally get a reduced price on drinks. But only well drinks, not premium liquor or wine/champagne from a bottle that has to be opened.

[@kentix417]

That's how the system is set up. It's not cheap restaurant owners forcing their servers to work for tips, it's the system. Servers get paid a small base salary, by law, but the main part of their income comes from tips. That is the system. You know that when you get hired as a server. It is the expectation of the restaurant owners, the servers, the paying customers and the tax authorities. By going against the system the only people you will hurt will be your servers.

[@ivettemckenzie1646]

Tipping has changed. It's actually 20% if you liked the service. Never tip less than 15%. Servers don't receive a paycheck. It always comes out to $0.00. It is 20% because that percentage doesn't all go to the server. It's divided into the hosts, bartenders, and the bus boy/girl. If you really enjoyed the service, obviously, you give more.

[@sebastianurbas7699]

Even in a pizza restaurant (where you are seated)? The pizza is already crazy expensive and then I had to add the tax and the tip? I would never eat a pizza again in the U.S. Better call the police and put those responsible into prison.

[@ivettemckenzie1646]

I heard this saying often, "If you don't have money to tip, you don't have money to go out." Go to a fast food chain instead.

[@ivettemckenzie1646]

*hear

[@sebastianurbas7699]

Ivette Mckenzie Stupid comment. I have more than enough money to tip, but I wouldn't pay the premium prices they charge for PIzza in the U.S. These exorbitant pizza prices even didn't imply proper wages. for waiters. It's just a complete rip-off.

[@ivettemckenzie1646]

And again. That's why it's a saying.

[@edwardweeden2834]

Some things that need to be discussed for the benefit of foreigners in the USA have to do with driving. For example: 1--how to use an auto gas pump at the station if you are using a credit card and do not have a zip code; 2--the differences in road signs between US and international signs; 3--how to use mile-marker signs along the expressways to tell where you are (including how exit signs are marked using mileage numbers rather than sequential numbers as here in the UK); 4--what to do at a toll booth/machine on a toll road; and 5--the "right turn on red light" rule that applies in many states. There are several others, but this is a good start, and would make a very informative video for foreigners who come to the USA and drive.

[@Andi6678]

thanks for your information about the U.S. i´ve planned my first trip to america next spring and your tips can help me

[@samlauer8855]

Where I live there is no sales tax

[@Queencrazy1997]

in Oregon there's no sales tax by the way

[@zombie2589]

Charm Serenia yep. It's awesome.

[@Reasonably-Sane]

This was really insightful; I was curious how these things were in Germany. Thanks for the video!

[@HemlockRidge]

In Pennsylvania, there is a 6% sales tax, BUT there is NO Sales Tax on clothing, UN-prepared foods, medicines, and about a hundred other things. Some services are taxed, and some aren't, like cable TV. Don't ask me why.

[@christianwww]

About the different taxes in the US-States: Are people driving to the neighbor state (with the lower tax) to get things cheaper? Here in Europe it is common for people who live near the border to visit our neighbor countries to get cheaper gas, alcohol or food. I see the border tourism here at the German-Netherlands border all the time. Dutch people traveling with a chartered bus just to buy meat and other food here in Germany.

[@kentix417]

Sometimes, yes, especially if the neighboring state has no sales tax at all. I'm not sure but I think legally when you come back to your state you're supposed to pay that tax but nobody does because there's no way to enforce it. My relatives used to drive over to Canada to buy gasoline because it was cheaper there sometimes compared to the United States.

[@Dawn_Breaker]

That happens sometimes, but usually it's only in the North East, states up near New York. The reason for this is that for almost everywhere else in the US, unless you live on the border you will likely pay the same for the extra gas you world spend just to drive to the next state. That and the tax rates are usually similar enough to not go through the trouble of going to the neighbouring state

[@Dawn_Breaker]

That happens sometimes, but usually it's only in the North East, states up near New York. The reason for this is that for almost everywhere else in the US, unless you live on the border you will likely pay the same for the extra gas you world spend just to drive to the next state. That and the tax rates are usually similar enough to not go through the trouble of going to the neighbouring state

[@markbollinger1343]

Yeah but you would want to live very close to the border within a few kilometers or have a lot to do that saves you money. My gf lives on the border of Texas (no sales tax) and Arkansas (has sales tax)-sales tax is the VAT as the Brits call it not sure about Germany-anyway so the state government in Arkansas does charge sales tax in her city to keep business on their side. I am not sure if other places do this but I am fairly certain they would. As others have mentioned the sales tax is within a few percentage points and driving far isn't worth it. Only an issue when buy expensive items.

[@RolandHutchinson]

New Hampshire (no sales tax) has stores that cater to such shoppers near the border with Massachusetts (6.25% sales tax). Also, taxes on alcohol are lower. Many (most? all?) states have "use tax" laws that require you to pay the difference if you bring something home into the state from a state where the sales tax is lower -- but such laws are difficult to enforce and frequently ignored.

[@interxshwn3831]

Next you should do a compare and contrast of "German"- American Cities like Frankenmuth, Michigan to real German cities.

[@karencrookedfingerscraft3408]

Germantown, Maryland.

[@johnsanford3596]

Stutgartt, Arkansas.

[@rebeccamiller-wulf2619]

Hamburg, New York. haha. It is a cute village but not much there other than a lot of snow!

[@marcuslee5536]

Thank you ladies. Cos i am planning one day to visit the States. Didn't realised the amount of tips for service (which you don't really have to in Singapore)

[@3DJapan]

4:00 Some states have no tax, like Delaware. Here in Pennsylvania sundry items, like clothes and unprepared food, Things that you need to survive have no tax.

[@wunndergurl911]

Not all states have sales tax. In Montana there are no sales tax

[@samiantha636]

Same in Oregon

[@peterfaust8450]

Delaware :D

[@namewithay]

Or New Hampshire.

[@kelhapam]

I live in New Hampshire - no sales tax (no income tax either). Massachusetts certainly has sales tax, but not on clothing unless it's expensive (over $175).

[@narata1541]

Oh wow! I never knew that. That's good to know.

[@eliseweusthuis]

Why do you accept restaurants not paying their staff a reasonable amount of money?

[@andrewc4112]

Anything for lower taxes. We Amurricans love our low taxes.

[@kentix417]

The actual answer is that it gives the server an opportunity (and incentive) to earn more money if they do a better job. It has absolutely zero to do with taxes. In fact, servers are supposed to report the money they earn when they pay taxes but I know many probably don't report all of it. Lots of it comes in cash.

[@eliseweusthuis]

sounds really annoying to me. We do have tips in europe too but I'd much prefer if they'd just have a set price so I wouldn't have to worry about whether my tip would make the server happy or not. Like it's your job to make me happy not the other way around. And if the service sucks I'll just not come again.

[@kentix417]

That's exactly why the tipping system exists, because it is their job to make you happy. If they were paid directly by the restaurant they would have no incentive to make you happy because they wouldn't be working for you. I've seen lots of people say that when they went into a restaurant in Europe that the staff doesn't really act helpful because they have no incentive to act helpful. They get paid the same if they do a good job or a terrible job. Over here, all you have to do is give 18% every time no matter where you go and everybody will be happy. It's very easy.

[@eliseweusthuis]

Yeah but I'm not very rich so I definitely don't want to pay too much but I also don't want to be rude so I have to spend like 10 minutes at the end of my meal worrying about it. Doesn't really help my experience much tbh. And I'm european and I've never had any problems with restaurant staff ever

[@dats3]

Great video. I love hearing what people in other countries think of how we do things here in the U.S., particularly people in Germany. I'm glad to read in the comments how ridiculous it is the way pay our servers. Some restaurants, fortunately, are banning tipping and paying their servers a livable wage. Progress is slow, but progress never-the-less.

[@Federico84]

the thing that surprised me was how fast food restaurants work in the us. In Italy you simply go to the counter, order and wait, but in us they call your name when the food is ready, or call a number, or they give you a thing that lights up when your order is ready, so weird

[@GerritTV187]

15-20% tips? crazy^^

[@markbollinger1343]

20% is pretty standard for good service these days. Ill usually give an extra buck or two cause I know servers need it.

[@GerritTV187]

But man thats alot of money of course we tip the servers but pay them^^?

[@LKDesign]

Wow, a society expecting me to tip such enormous amounts of money, that is bullshit. It's not my responsibility to care for the poor underpayed waiter. Also I don't want to strengthen this stupid system even more. I am not made of money and if I am not satisfied remarkably well, I don't tip at all.

[@sallysue5728]

Looks like you'd have to be eating at fast food restaurants then haha. They don't require tips because there is no traditional waiter. It's a lot cheaper to eat there too. The problem is that the food is typically of lower quality and unhealthy to eat. There are probably only two fast food chains that I can think of that are an exception to this. I do agree that the tipping system is silly and outdated though :/

[@LoveDayandAge]

You're going to put your frustrations on an underpaid server? You sound like a good person.

[@annkathrinhanamond2982]

Du vergisst, dass die Essenspreise entsprechend niedriger sind. In Deutschland beinhaltet der Preis auf der Karte das Gehalt für den Kellner, in den USA tut er das nicht, der Essenspreis ist somit niedriger und man bezahlt den Kellner quasi extra - das, was man bezahlt, dürfte bei beidem aufs Gleiche rauskommen. Der Keller ist nicht unterbezahlt - die Gäste bezahlen ihn, dafür ist sein Gehalt nicht in den Essenspreis auf der Karte eingerechnet. Und da es in den USA üblich ist, das entsprechende Trinkgeld zu geben, bekommt der Kellner auch seinen Lohn, eben darüber. Dabei in den USA kein Trinkgeld zu geben hieße, eine Dienstleistung in Anspruch zu nehmen, die man nicht bezahlt. Kann man machen, ist halt asozial. In Dänemark stehen oft Kästen am Wegesrand mit z.B. Brennholz, Äpfeln, Honig ... da kann man sich bedienen und das Geld dafür in eine Kasse werfen. Auch da kann man sich natürlich etwas nehmen und denken "Schön doof, ich bezahl doch nix, wenn keiner kassiert" - aber das läuft halt im Vertrauen darauf, dass die Menschen ehrlich sind und bezahlen, was sie bekommen. Ebenso läuft es mit den Kellnern in den USA.

[@LKDesign]

Das Gehalt für den Kellner ist nicht im Preis inbegriffen? Der Betrieb erwartet, dass die Kellner praktisch vom Trinkgeld leben? Ein solches Konzept ist mir fremd und es widerstrebt mir an so einem falsch geführten Business teilzunehmen. Solche schwammigen Methoden gehören nicht in unsere Zeit und diese Ansicht ist alles andere als asozial.

[@kentix417]

In this system it is exactly your responsibility. You pay the restaurant for the food and you pay the server for the service. So the reason you're paying an "enormous" amount is because you are paying for their service and that service is not inside the food cost. If you pay them nothing then you're telling them that they are working for you for free. Yes, it's a different system than Germany. But if you can't deal with it you should stay away because otherwise you'll be cheating a lot of people.

[@Sheilyn13]

I'm not surprised. I knew most of these things from u.s. tv shows or movies.I've never been to the U.S. but I've been to Canada several times and things work pretty much the same there. By the way...I like these kind of videos very much.Good job! :)

[@kcoxgrosso]

Love your videos!

[@herbmyers805]

I already watch you both! Great job!

[@sneakyrabbit3465]

"You're free to pee!" I LOVE her! :D

[@CGphotoart]

Hello You two....I always enjoy the videos from both of You... As I was, during my military training, more than two years in the US I knew all of the topics You covered...except of the tip percentage... Its a couple of years ago...so I thought ten percent are okay for a good and appropriate service....nice to know that I planning with twenty percent. Nice Video....got a honest thumb up and yeah...keep it up...Both of You..thx

[@kentix417]

It was 10% for a very long time. But over some years the percentage has gone up.

[@patrickgrady3957]

In some U.S. states (Massachusetts and New York), clothing isn't taxed (up to $175 per item in Mass.). Those states also don't charge sales tax on most food you buy to cook later. Many states also charge a separate (and usually higher) meals tax.

[@chimpou2461]

This video is so useful for me because I'm doing an exchange to the USA! Especially the thing with the postcard, my grandfather wants me to send him one;) So thank you! 😄

[@ChristieLily35]

I just got back from a trip Italy and I've been to Ireland before, so I vaguely remembered having to pay in some places to use the restroom (bathroom, toilet, what have you). However I encountered them more in Italy AND I found that the free ones were nicer. Also very few restrooms in Rome were pay ones -at least that I found.

[@MsJovenille]

Danke für die Videos, die sind richtig nützlich 😊 Zwischenzeitlich war ich 2x in den Staaten und habe es selbst rausgefunden 😅 War sehr interessant/witzig/überraschend und tricky

[@Lexduden]

There are plenty of free restrooms on German Autobahns. Saying that their state of repair/upkeep (or lack thereof) leaves a lot of room for improvement is an understatement. So the ones you actually would like to use end up being pay ones. So I personally would rathe pay a small fee, and have pretty clean and and a not to olfactory displeasing toilet.

[@wolfsbaneandnightshade2166]

in California (i.d.k about other states) you have to get a script for back pain medication. here is canada its just on the shelf.also you can get TTylenol 1s from the pharmacist with out a script, but they are kept behind the counter. also some pharmacies keep gravol behind the counter here. but its not universal. the shoppers in my naighnourhood keeps all gravol behind the counter, while a different shoppers drug mart (in a sketchier part of town) will have small packs to bottles of 100 on the shelves.

[@offthepath7958]

For the mail, there are many little shipping stores besides the post office. They are usually very close to the grocery stores. They will let you know what the correct postage is and mail it off for you.

[@xGomezMarine]

Delaware was also a state with no sales tax the last time I was there. Don't know if that recently changed or not. For tipping I look at the tax and double it. Where I live in Louisiana the tax is 10.75% on merchandise- Louisiana gets 5% and the parish gets 4.75% but both are added together at checkout. Food is taxed at 5%. There can be different tables for different things.

[@jas1292]

I was on a vacation in California where I already noticed a few of the things you said and later I spent one semester abroad where I learned the rest of them 😃

[@natalieb471]

I would say you were pretty generous with the hotel breakfasts. I don't remember having any glorious breakfasts in the US at hotels. Usually it's just the coffee maker in the hotel room. If I was lucky enough to afford a little more upscale hotel it would probably have a cappuccino machine, some toast with butter or jams you can have, a fruit bowl, and maybe some cereal.

[@SiriusMined]

Two great channels, working together!

[@jayjaygtsport4325]

Thank you for the tips. I'm very surprise and very happy to know the things now. We will be next year in Florida for our honeymoon ❤️

[@Esmold]

In Portugal, to mail there are 2 mail boxes, the red that is the normal one and the blue one to the prioritized mail and in case you want to send to other country.

[@mistymornings]

such a fun video :)

[@mariadazapertinez3899]

So interesting!!

[@michaelk6456]

Funny, how so many hotels we stayed in, only offered us a donut and a plastic cup of coffee/tea for breakfast. ;-) And no, it weren't motels but Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Best Western... Of course, we expierenced the luxurious version, too. But more often than not, we ended up at the local Denny`s for breakfast.

[@asphodelale]

That bit about having to buy painkillers at the pharmacy made me nostalgic for the days when we could buy pseudoephedrine over the counter. Having allergies just hasn't been the same since they started locking the stuff up.

[@lisajohnson9124]

Bathroom fee on the highway is a coupon to use in the place to get credit to a item you buy in there. If you a frequent traveler you collect the coupons and buy whole meal if you like.

[@Rosi_in_space]

in Switzerland, you can buy stamps at a lot of Kiosks; we had vending machines, but Swiss POST said they were too expensive.

[@Emmchen09]

In Germany tipping is usually also done with percentages - 10% is standard. So on a 50 Dollar bill, tipping 2-3 dollars would not be very nice in Germany, either.

[@snackpack3787]

I'm from America, and it surprises me that it surprises other people that we have these things

[@deanstuart8012]

Brilliant video. Since I can't be bothered to plough through 1000 comments to check to see if it has already been mentioned, in English English, as opposed to Dana's American English, "buoy" is pronounced "boy". The theory is that American English kept a lot of 18th century words and pronunciations after independence which we changed or discarded.

[@pencilonpaper1026]

"It's free." She was so happy xD

[@cylontoaster7660]

Regarding taxes, it does varies by state. For instance, in some states, there are no taxes on clothes and groceries. Also, for food, many cities leverage their own city taxes.

[@vannessals]

I really enjoyed this video! One thing I would have liked though is more information on how it is in Germany. For example, you touched on the pharmacy restriction in Germany and the difference ages for alchocolic drinks but more info would be nice too! The standard tip is 20% now. 15% for bad service, but depending who you ask some say always tip 20%!

[@TheToddistheshit]

Actually some restaurants pay their employees very well. Some also make the servers share tips with other servers. Some even split the tips with not only other servers but also bus persons, cooks, and even dishwashers and bar tenders. 2) There are a select few states that have rid themselves of sales tax. (Montana, Texas, and Alaska that I am aware of) So a 10 usd shirt in those states would be 10 usd.

[@snoopy1alpha]

When I was in the US, I had my problems with the mailbox-issue :-) I figured out where to get stamps on my own (yay!). I was at a grocery store and asked at the information desk. They instantly sold me a sheet of stamps and I was happy. However, after I prepared the envelope, I desperately searched for a mailbox and couldn't find one. I asked a random person and he told me that I can just put it into the mailbox of the house we were standing in front of (is that actually a correct English sentence?). I was confused until I read the label "outgoing mail". Next to the regular mailboxes for the families living there, they actually had a separate mailbox for outgoing mail. I was totally overwhelmed :-)

[@weirdpurr7935]

When I did my exchange year in the USA every teacher in my high school put the AC in their class room on another level. So in some class rooms it was kind of warm and in some it was freezing cold. My French teacher even had it so cold that some students brought snuggle blankets...

[@marthaloven9385]

There are states (like MN) where clothing isn't taxed. In MN, food that it's pre-made or junk food is also not taxed.