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I hate the NY Yankme’s with a passion. Let’s face it folks, I hate everything Northern. My Mother is a yankee. Damn that makes things difficult. I love her but only because she married someone from GA. Thank God, because I am a huge Atlanta Brave fan. Go Dad! But as much as I hate the Yankees, I hate this stupid steroid thing even more. For God’s sake please just let it go. Last time I checked, my 401K was in the toilet, and I am not sure there is a Government committee set up to investigate this, but Lord knows we have one set up to investigate steroid use in baseball. Did George Bush start this too. Thanks worst President ever. That’s takes Grant off the hook.

Now, we have a player with the guts to step up and admit he did them. Not just any player, but Alex Rodriguez. And what does major league baseball do, but subject him to interrogation after interrogation designed to get more info on players who may have taken them as well. Good job major league baseball. Thanks for doing your job too late. You may as well forget it now, the Republicans have taken it upon themselves to make the world good again. Damn do gooders. Go away, leave my sport alone, and most of all stop spending my tax dollars on such a stupid, worthless waste of time. And Major League Baseball should learn what the rest of us already know… if you try and make the good kids turn their friends in when they do the right thing, then nobody is going to do the right thing going foreward.

Well folks it’s another Sunday Superblow and no I did not mistype. First of all you have the much hated(by me)Pittsburgh steelers, and the improbable underdog Arizona Cardinals. Let’s face it people, Arizona has as much business being there as GW did in the White House. They are going to get pummled, and I don’t believe they have a chance. Pittsburgh has the best defense in the league, and if Curt Warner is not given enough time to throw, it will be a long day for Arizona fans. But if I am wrong, then I will have fun sticking it in the face of Steeler fans, who of course are from the much hated(again by me)state of PA. Again, nothing good ever came from that state, including football. As for the Phillies, they just got lucky and I predict a 3rd place finish in the NL East this year. As always, opposing viewpoints are appreciated.

Folks, let’s be honest. Are sanitary napkins really that sanitary? I mean, would you wipe your face with one during a meal? And just when do they stop becoming sanitary? I mean, so they are sanitary when you buy them, and of course before you use them, but I guess it depends on the user as to whether or not they continue to stay sanitary. But still, if I lose my napkin during a meal, I aint asking the girl at the table next to me to allow me to use hers.  Just my thoughts.

Those of us who have, or who are actively working in the service industry, know how to tip, or even when a tip should be given, depending on the type of service received. I consider myself a good tipper, but I still have trouble sometimes determining if a tip should be left, and if so, how much. After doing a little research on line, I came across the following information. I hope it helps you as much as it will me…

Christmas Holiday Tipping Etiquette

Christmas is a great time of year to remember those people who serve you regularly. Since it only occurs once a year, holiday tipping can be a source of holiday stress, but it need not be so. I recommend a gift or a tasteful Christmas card with a tip inside. Delivery should occur in the month of December prior to Christmas day. Tip those who serve you all year long and with whom you have a personal relationship.

• Maid - one week’s pay. This is for maids in your employ whom you pay directly. If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don’t tip at all.
• Gardener - $20-50.
• USPS Mail carrier - Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly. Read more below.
• UPS - Regular driver - $15.
• FedEx - Not allowed to accept cash gifts, but a gift up to $25 in value is permissible.
• Apartment building superintendent - $50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.
• Apartment Doorman/concierge - $10-80 or more each, depending upon building. The fewer doormen the building has, the more you tip each one. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.
• Apartment building handyman - $15-40 each.
• Apartment building elevator operators - $15-40 each.
• Shampoo - $10
• Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more
• Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more
• Massage therapist - $15 or more. Read more about tipping massage therapists at www.frappydoo.com.
• Newspaper carrier - Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10
• Regular overnight delivery person - $10-30
• Teacher - $25-100. Give a gift certificate to a bookstore or office supply store. If you know the teacher’s hobbies or interests, then a gift certificate would be nice from the local movie theater, hobby shop, mall, fine restaurant or day spa. Some teachers might feel uncomfortable receiving gifts around grade time. If you are unsure, ask your principal first.
• Coaches, tutors, ballet instructors, music teachers - A small gift from your child.
• Garbage collector(s) - $15-30 each. Nowadays, most garbage collectors are really truck drivers. The truck has an arm that does all the work. If this is your situation, there is no need to tip.
• Baby sitter - One night’s pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Full-time nanny - One week’s to one month’s pay based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
• Au pair - One week’s pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Day care service - $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
• Parking attendants - $10-20 each
• Personal trainer - $60-100 upon reaching goal.
• Country Club - I believe in tipping at Christmas regardless of the club’s tipping policy. I recommend a minimum of $50 for your waiters, locker-room personnel, front-desk employees, and golf professionals. For head waiters or special service, make it $100.
• Dog groomer - 1/4 - 1/2 cost of a session.
• Dog walker or sitter - 1-2 week’s pay.

Gifts for USPS Mail Carriers

There are rules regarding gifts for USPS mail carriers. I’ll quote them from the a USPS article.

At the airport

The first opportunity to tip during travel is usually upon arriving at the airport or train station. Here are some tipping guidelines:

• Porter or skycap - $2 per bag or more if the bags are heavy. $2 extra for curbside check-in is optional. If you arrive late and he helps you get to your flight on time, tip an extra $5-20.
• Electric cart driver - $2-$3 a person.
• Wheelchair pusher - If they are just pushing you down the ramp from the gate to the plane (or in reverse), then nothing. If it is from the ticket counter to the gate/plane or from the gate/plane to the luggage carousel, then $5 is appropriate. Tip more if they help you with your luggage ($1-2 per bag) or if they help you to your car. If they are pushing you from one terminal to another (long distances), then $10-20 would be appropriate plus extra for luggage. Tip less if they are unpleasant or rude.
• Flight attendant or other in-flight personnel - Nothing .
• Charter pilot - Nothing. It is not necessary to tip pilots unless they provide extra services. Then it is whatever you deem appropriate for the service.

Tipping on Amtrak

Tipping on trains can be very confusing because most people don’t travel by train often and the situations can be confusing. For instance, sometimes the meal is included, sometimes it isn’t.

• Dining car waiters, stewards and bar car waiters: 15 percent of bill (or estimated cost of meal when included)
• Red caps, or porters: $1 per bag
• Sleeping car attendant: $5 per passenger per day

Ground transportation

• Taxi, limo, paid shuttle, or van driver - 15% of the total fare. Up to 20% if the driver helps with the bags or makes extra stops. No less than $1. If someone else is picking up the tab, they are responsible for tipping also. Be careful, the rate quoted for limos often includes gratuity.
• Driver of courtesy shuttle - $1-$2 per bag if he helps with the bags.
• Auto dealership shuttle driver - Nothing.

At the hotel

Before you arrive at a nicer hotel or resort, inquire as to whether gratuities are included in the price of the room. Some hotels are now charging a daily fee that covers all tipping for hotel services. If there is not a daily fee, these rates are appropriate:

• Valet or parking attendant - $1-3 is appropriate for parking or returning the car. It is not necessary to tip for parking, but always for returning the car.
• Doorman - If he hails you a cab, $1-2. If he helps you with your bags in or out of the car, $1 a bag. Use $1-2 per bag if he carries them all the way to the room. If he just opens the door, nothing. If he is helpful with directions or restaurant recommendations, $5.
• Bellman - When he helps you with your bags, tip $1-2 per bag. Give him the tip when he shows you your room. If he just carries the bags to the front desk and then disappears, save it for the person who carries the bags to your room. Upon checkout, tip a bellman who helps with your bags. Tip more for additional services.
• Front Desk - Typically there is no tip for the front desk, but if they help you with early check-in or late check-out, tip $1-2.
• Concierge - $5-10 for help with hard-to-get dinner reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for just plain advice, but $5 is the minimum. Tipping can be done at the end of the trip or at the time of service, just keep is straight so that you are fair.
• Butler - $5-10 per service or $50-100 per night. Very special services like meals when the restaurant is closed are more like $50.
• Room Service - If gratuity is included, add nothing or $1. Otherwise add 15-20% to the total charge.
• Delivery of special items - If you request extra pillows or an iron, tip $1 per item received, minimum $2.
• Maid service - $3-5 per day typically, up to $10 per day depending upon how much mess you make. Tip daily because there might be a different maid each day. Leave the tip on your pillow. Err on the side of being generous, and tip on the last day also. If they change out your linens by request, give $1-2 each time.
• Bath Butler - 15-20%. Bath butlers are not very common. They draw a luxurious bath for you with your choice of available options such as champagne, candles, chocolates, aromatic salts, rose petals, music, etc.
• Swimming pool or gym attendant - Nothing, unless you require special services such as extra seating or inflating pool toys; then it is $2-5. If you want the same deck chairs every day, then tip $2-3 per chair beginning the first day.
• Tanning Butler - $5-10 per lotion application.
• Ski Valet - $2-5 per person, per day. A ski valet helps with rentals, stores shoes and provides dry boots each day, and stores your gear at the end of the day. They also provide trail maps, ski lift times, rides to the lift, etc. If he serves as a guide on special trails, tip an extra $50.
• Hotel maintenance staff or Technology Engineer - Nothing to replace a light bulb, fix the air conditioning, internet access, etc. If they teach you how to do something on your computer that is not a responsibility of the hotel like burning a CD, then tip $10-20.
• Personal Shopper - Personal shoppers don’t typically work for the hotel. 10% of the total purchases is appropriate. You can also have the hotel send them a gift of jewelry or wine. Recommending their services to others is a great tip.
• Spa Technician - Most hotels automatically include an 18% service charge in the bill. If it is not included, tip 18%. If the service is provided in your room, the hotel will typically add a separate fee of $25-40 to your treatment - the 18% tip is on the new total.

Tipping at a Bed and Breakfast (B&B)

Many, if not most B&Bs have a no-tipping policy in the US and Canada. In other countries it varies. It never hurts to tip, but it is definitely not expected, and many B&Bs specifically ask that you do not. Most are family owned and the price they charge covers everything.

The safest bet is to inquire at the specific Bed and Breakfast where you plan to stay before you arrive.

If there is hired housekeeping staff, then tip the same as at a hotel.

Tour guides

Check ahead. If the tip is not already included, give 10-15% of the tour price. No less than $1-2 for a half-day tour, $3-4 for a full-day tour, and $5-10 for a week-long tour. This is a per-person rate. Tip private tour guides more. If the bus driver is particularly helpful with bags, then tip $1-2 per bag.

• Boat trip - If the trip is over 3 hours, tip $10-$75 depending upon the cost of the excursion and the quality of service.
• Outdoor guides (fly fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, etc.) - 15% of the cost of the service. Some companies have a no-tipping policy. Check when you book the trip.
• Private Yacht Charter - Tip the crew 10-20% of the charter fee based upon the quality of service. Hand the gratuity to the Captain for distribution to the crew.

Cruise ships

Many cruise ships have a no-tipping policy. Find out in advance. If you are supposed to tip, find out if it is done at the end of the trip or at the time of service. Oftentimes, at the end of the cruise you are provided envelopes with suggested tip amounts. If you are supposed to tip, budget about $20 per day.

• Waiter - $3 per day per person.
• Cabin steward - $3 per day per person.
• Bus boy - $1.5 per day per person.
• maitre d’ - Not necessary unless special services provided.
• Bar steward - Usually, 15% is automatically added to bill.

Restaurants or bars

If you get awful service, talk to the manager. The manager cannot correct the situation if he doesn’t know about it. Skipping the tip will not accomplish anything, and the next poor customer who gets that server will get the same service you did.

If you are buying the meal and someone offers to get the tip, tell them they can buy next time, and you pay the whole thing. This prevents any uneasiness about them seeing the amount of the bill or worrying that they will be stingy on the tip.

Restaurants report a percentage (around 12%) of the gross sales for food and beverage to the IRS for their staff. This means that if you have a $200 food bill and $200 wine bill, the restaurant will report 12% of $400 or $48 as income to the server. In other words, the server has to pay tax on it whether you tip it or not. If the restaurants do not report it accurately, the restaurant and the wait staff get audited by the IRS.

Please don’t get hung up on the 12%. It is just a reasonable example. I recommend tipping 10-15% on the alcohol and 15-20% on the food. 10% on the wine is perfectly acceptable. Whether to tip 10 or 15 percent would depend in large part on how helpful the server was in choosing the wine and serving it.

• Food server - 15-20%.
• Self-service restaurant or buffet - Nothing unless there is some service. Tip 10% if the server delivers all or part of your meal or keeps your drinks refilled.
• Takeout - If you get good service, in other words, the waiter gets and packages the food, then at your choice you can tip $1-2 or up to 10%. Nothing is really necessary.
• Drive through - Nothing.
• When breakfast is included in the price of the hotel room - Estimate the value of the meal by looking at a menu. If there is no breakfast menu, consider the quality of the hotel and the price of an evening meal, then make your best estimate. Your tip is 15-20% of your estimate.
• Teppanyaki chef - 15-20% of the total bill. The gratuity will be split among the wait staff and the chef.
• Counter service - 15-20%.
• Cocktail server - 15-20%. For free drinks in Vegas, tip $1-2 per round.
• Bartender - 15-20% or $1 per drink. If at the bar before a meal, settle up with the bartender before you go to your table.
• Wine steward or sommelier - 10% of wine bill.
• If a bar has a cover charge, you do not tip on it.
• Busboys - Nothing, unless he did something extra special like cleaning up a huge mess. Then give him $1-2.
• Maitre d’ - Nothing, unless he gets you a special table or the restaurant is full and you had no reservation. Then give $5-10 or more.
• Coat check - $1
• Restroom attendant - $1
• Separate checks - If you want separate checks, ask the server to go ahead and add 18% gratuity to each check.
• Musician that visits table - $2-3 if you make a special request. Optional if he just stops by and plays.
• Musician in lounge - $1-5

Double time

If you hold a table for two serving periods, make sure that you tip double. In other words, if you spend enough time at a table that a waiter could have typically gotten two parties seated and served, then compensate him for his time by tipping him twice. I like to ease his mind by telling him this about half-way through.

Barbers, salons, spas

• Barber - $2-3
• Hair Stylist or Color Specialist - 10-20%. $3-5 extra for last-minute service.
• Hair extensions - 10-20%, regardless of the cost of the service.
• Shampoo or other assistant - $2-5 for each person. Hand the tip directly to the person providing the service.
• Manicure or Facial- 15%
• Massage therapist - No tip if at doctor’s office. 10-15% otherwise. If they come to your home or hotel room, find out in advance whether a tip is included in the price.
• Electrologist, laser hair removal - Nothing.
• Salon or spa package - Determine in advance whether a service charge is included. If none is included, then 15-20% split among the service providers. You can ask for it to be divided, pay each person at the time of service, or leave it in envelopes available at the front desk.
• If the salon messed up your service, and you return for a re-do, do not tip again.
• Owner who provides any of the above services - Follow the rules above.
• The location of the service provider is irrelevant in determining the tip. It doesn’t matter if they work in a salon, rent their space, or work out of their home.

Country club

At many golf or country clubs, tips are included in your monthly bill. 57% of country clubs have a no tipping policy. It is worthwhile to look it up or check with your club first.

• Shoe shine - $2 per pair.
• Golf cart girls - 15%, minimum of $1-2. Round it.
• Small errands - $5. What’s a small errand? Running to the store, sending a fax, calling a cab.
• Bag guy - $1-2 per bag.
• Large errands - $10-20. For concierge-type services of ordering flowers, obtaining hard-to-get theater tickets, etc.
• Golf caddies - $15-25 per person above any fee for the caddy.
• Golf or tennis pro lessons - Nothing.
• Restaurants - same as at any other restaurant. See above.

Weddings

Many contracted services for weddings include tips in the final bill. Make sure you read your contract carefully so that you are not double tipping. As always, if you receive service above and beyond what you expected, extra tipping is recommended.

• Civil ceremony officials - $50 - $75, more if travel involved
• Wedding planner - Nothing.
• Minister, priest, rabbi - Minimum of $100, more if travel involved. Give the gratuity to the best man who will in turn give it to the officiant following the ceremony.
• Coat check - 50 cents per guest.
• Limo driver - 15% of the total fare. Make sure the tip is not included already in the bill.
• Florists - Only necessary when service is beyond expectations, up to 15%
• Photographers - Only necessary when service is beyond expectations, up to 15%
• Bakers - Only necessary when service is beyond expectations, up to 15%
• Reception Musicians or DJs - Only necessary when service is beyond expectations, up to 15% or $25-50 per person.
• Open bar at receptions - There are two views on this. Some say tip $1 for each visit to the bar. Other’s contend that the tax and tip are included in the cost of the open bar, and that the guest should only tip if it is a cash bar. I lean toward the latter view, but it never hurts to be generous. If you are the host of the event, make sure it is not included. If it is not included, the tip is 15-20%.
• Catering hall wedding coordinator - $50 for the coordinator, and something less for the assistant ($25). Make sure it is not included in the price of the event.
• Banquet captain - $20-100.
• Wedding organist, musician or soloist - First check whether or not the gratuity is included in the rental of the church. If not, $50 per person or $75 per person for close friends.

Funeral Etiquette

The tip or gratuity for the clergyman who performs a funeral service is called the honorarium. The amount of the honorarium is typically $50-200. The amount is personal and varies based upon many factors:

• How much of the service does the clergyman perform, and does it include a graveside service?
• How many ministers are speaking at the service.
• How well do you know the minister?
• How good of a job does he do?
• What is customary for the area?
• How much can you afford?

When my daughter died, I had two ministers from my church perform the services. One spoke for the memorial service, and the other did the graveside. Both refused the honorarium. When this happens, wait a couple of months and do something special for him. Be sure to send a thank you card regardless.

If you are still not sure how much to give, then ask for some help from the funeral director. He will know what is customary.

You do not tip a funeral director.

Tipping Caterers

Tipping Caterers can be a real mystery. The best thing to do is to talk to the caterer in advance. Most caterers have a service charge that is included in the bill and is distributed to the cooks, driver and wait staff. If there is no service charge or it is not for the people doing the work, then tipping 15% of the entire bill is appropriate. This amount should be divided among the servers by the on-site manager. If it is included, you don’t need to tip any more. Of course, if someone really goes out of his way for you, then feel free to tip that individual extra, remembering that it will be extra.

Tipping Movers

There are many things to consider in a move. A professional mover is going to be careful to protect your floors, walls, doorways, and belongings. That said, it is unlikely that your move will go perfectly, whether you are moving yourself or paying someone else to do it. Something will get broken. The question that matters is were they being careless, or was it a genuine accident? Every time I have moved furniture myself, I have caused more damage to my home than movers ever had. I take this into consideration when I look at accidents.

Tipping occurs at the completion of the job. Consider providing lunch if the move extends over lunch, and always provide beverages for the movers.

• One mover - limited move - 1-10 items and nothing over 20 pounds - $10-20
• One mover - difficult move - The degree of difficulty changes based upon stairs, narrow passages, small elevators, large or heavy items, appliances, etc. - $20-50.
• Multiple movers - Basically tip each mover the same as above, but lower it by $5-10 for each mover. Feel free to pool the tip and give it to the supervisor for distribution, but don’t lower the amount because you combined it. The problem with combining the tip is that you cannot reward people based upon their individual performances.
• Car Shipping - There is not much information available about tipping the truck drivers. $20-25 is probably appropriate.

Emergency roadside service

Consider the level of danger. Tip an additional amount if it is roadside service versus in a parking lot.

• Towing service - $5 - $20 depending upon circumstances and your desperation.
• Jump start - $3 - $5
• Tire change - $4 - $5
• Locked out of car - $5 - $10

Miscellaneous services

• Accountants - Nothing.
• Appliance repairman - Nothing.
• Auto mechanic - Not necessary. If you insist, tip about $10-20 for bills up to $500, and $50 for bills over $500.
• Bagger at grocery store - Check in advance to see if the store has a no tipping policy. Most have one. If it doesn’t, then $1-3 for the bagger and $1-5 for the person who loads your car.
• Baptism - Nothing.
• Car detailing - 15%
• Car salesman - Nothing.
• Car wash - $2-3 for a car; $3-5 for an SUV or large vehicle. If there is a tip jar, leave your tip there. It will be split among the workers. Otherwise, tip the person(s) who did the cleanup after the wash.
• Carpet cleaners - Nothing.
• Clown at children’s party - $15-25 depending upon the quality of the performance and the heat level of the day. Others say 15-20% of the performers fee.
• Contractors, installers, and home remodelers - Nothing. Offer a cool drink instead.
• Cosmetologist at makeup counter - Nothing. Makeover specialist at department store - Nothing unless you used over 15 minutes of her time and then bought nothing.
• Electricians and plumbers - Nothing. Offer a cool drink instead.
• Exotic club - Nothing. Shame on you. I can’t believe you would even ask.
• Farriers or horse haulers- Nothing.
• Financial planners - Nothing.
• Graphic designer - Nothing.
• Interior designer - Nothing.
• Maids - Nothing, except at Christmastime. See above.
• Mary Kay representative - Nothing.
• Mortgage loan officer - Nothing.
• Nurses - Nothing.
• Painters (house) - Nothing. Offer them a cool drink instead.
• Personal shopper or salesperson at department store - Nothing.
• Pet groomers - Most pet groomers are paid based upon a commission, not a regular salary or hourly wage. Typically your tip is 15% of the bill or $2 per dog, whichever is greater. If your dog is difficult, then tip more. Obviously, don’t tip if the quality is poor.
• Pet sitters - Tipping is not required, but most pet sitters will appreciate a tip. 15% is appropriate if you want to tip.
• Physical therapist - Nothing.
• Piano tuner - Nothing.
• Realtors® or real estate agents - Nothing. The best way to say thanks is to refer people to them.
• Sports arena in-seat food service - This one is tricky. At most arenas you tip the person who takes the order 15%. You tip at the time of payment, not delivery. The best thing to do is to ask before you order. You definitely do not need to tip both the order taker and the deliverer unless you split it.
• Shoeshine - $1-2.
• Swimming lesson instructor - Nothing.
• Tailor or seamstress - Nothing.
• Tattoo or piercing artist - 10-20% or whatever you can afford. It isn’t necessary, but it is appreciated.
• Telephone, security, cable, satellite, internet installers or repairmen - Nothing.
• Title company closing agents - Nothing.
• Travel agents - Nothing.
• Tree removal service - Nothing.
• Weekly lawn or landscaping service - Nothing.
• Window tinting service - Nothing.
• Window washer - Nothing.

Tipping for Deliveries

• Furniture or appliance deliveries - $5-10 per person. If the delivery is huge, then $20 per person.
• Grocery delivery - Usually included in the fee.
• Pharmacy deliveries - Nothing. If you insist, $2-3 per delivery, not per prescription.
• Flower deliveries - $2-5 for normal deliveries and $5-10 for large ones.
• UPS/Fed Ex - None.
• Dry Cleaning or Laundry Delivery - Nothing. Most services instruct drivers not to accept gratuities.
• Liquor delivery - 10-15%.
• Newspaper - Nothing except at Christmastime. See above.
• Pizza deliveries or other food deliveries - 15%, but not less than $2.
• Delivering a big box like a TV to your car - Nothing. Most stores prohibit employees from receiving tips, and the employee may be subject to discipline for doing so.

Full-Service Gas Stations

If you receive service (clean windshield, check fluid levels, etc.), the tip varies from $1-5 depending upon how much they do. $1-2 for a good job on the windshield, and $3-5 for windshield and fluid check. If you have to ask the person to do these things or they do a poor job, then I wouldn’t tip anything for windshield only or $1-2 for the full whammy.

There is one big exception. If the price of gas at the self-service pumps is $1.70 and the price for full-service is $2.50, then they are already charging you for the service.

Casino Tipping

Before we talk about casino tipping, let’s discuss a budget. Before you go to a casino, you should determine how much you are willing to lose before you call it quits. Gambling is fine for entertainment, but it is not a good means of wealth accumulation. If the odds weren’t in the house’s favor, casinos would not make as much money as they do. Gambling without a budget is poor stewardship of your money. I personally recommend against gambling. I know too many people who didn’t expect to have a problem but are now addicted to gambling. It can ruin families and finances.

Casino workers are a part of the service industry and make 2/3 of their income from tips. Without tips, they are grossly underpaid.

One general rule for tipping at a table is that you tip when you are winning, not losing.

• Craps or blackjack dealer - $5+ chip per session. If you prefer, you can place a side bet for the dealer up to 10%. The size depends upon the table’s minimum bet; however, it need not ever exceed $25. At a $5 table, the tip would be a $1 chip. At a $25 table, use a $5 chip.
• Poker dealers - $5+ chip per session. You may tip 10% of your winnings, but not to exceed $25.
• Roulette dealers - $5+ chip per session.
• Keno writers/runners - $1+ for first ticket. If you play a lot, tip more. 5% if you win.
• Drinks waiter - $1+ chip per drink. Remember that you are getting free drinks because alcohol lowers your inhibitions and you will gamble more.
• Slot machine changers - These guys are pretty much obsolete because most machines today spit out paper receipts of winnings. If you do have a machine that pays in coins, tip $1+ chip per change, plus 5% on a jackpot, not to exceed $25.
• Slot machine attendants - $1-2 chip when they repair your machine.

Tip Jars

They’re showing up everywhere — tip jars. Most people hate them. Where is it appropriate to leave a tip in a tip jar? We’ll cover some of the basics.

• Starbucks - Nothing.
• Any fast-food restaurant - Nothing.
• Buffet-lines or cafeterias - Nothing. If there is a person who comes around and keeps your tea glass full, tip him personally $1-2.
• Donut, bagel or coffee shop - Nothing.
• Sports arena concession stands - Nothing.
• If you get the idea that tip jars are out of place at any food-service establishment that does not actually bring the food to your table and keep your drinks refilled, then you are correct.
• Laundry service - Nothing.
• Car wash - $2-3 for a car; $3-5 for an SUV or large vehicle. If there is a tip jar, leave your tip there. It will be split among the workers. Otherwise, tip the person(s) who did the cleanup after the wash.

If you want to tip at Starbucks, go for it. Just don’t email me about it. I’ve heard every argument there is, and my advice, which is just that - advice, isn’t changing.

James G. Lewis

First off, how do you accidently shoot yourself? Next, why would you have a gun in a bar? Next, how do you accidently shoot yourself in a bar? I am having a hard time wrapping my small brain around this. I’ll admit I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I gotta tell ya, I have never accidently shot myself. If I am going to get shot by my own gun, it won’t be an accident. So did the scenario go something like this.

Plaxico: I am sitting here in the bar having drinks, and oh, I just discovered I have my gun with me. It must have been left in my underwear from last night. Oh well, now that I have it I should take it out and clean it.

Friend: Hey Plax, maybe you should put the gun away. Afterall, it is illegal to have a gun in a public place in NY. Did you know that if charged, you will go to jail for at the very least 3 and a half years?

Plaxico: It’s ok, I am an NFL superstar and Super Bowl hero. It won’t hurt if I just take my gun out for a moment. Afterall, it does need cleaning, and I can’t think of a better place to do it but in a bar.

Friend: But Plax, I still don’t think it’s a very good idea, but if you gotta do it, then by all means, I encourage it. I mean Hell, since you have been injured and not playing, we have been spending lots of time together partying. Go ahead and clean your gun, and if you accidently shoot yourself, we can keep partying for the rest of the football season, or at least when you get out of jail.

Plaxico: That’s a great idea. I will just clean it while it is loaded and…OH SHIT, I SHOT MYSELF! It’s ok everyone Plax is ok. What do you mean I am arrested? You can’t do this to me, I am Plaxico Burress, Super Bowl hero! This is an outrage. Ouch, my gunshot wound is hurting. This is not supposed to happen to me, I am Plaxico Buress, I will be vindicated…

Ok, but seriously folks, who do athletes think they are? They get in more trouble than Rock Stars and Rappers. This goes back a long time guys. Babe Ruth was a party boy, but he never killed anyone like OJ Simpson. And he never killed animals like Mike Vick. When athletes do stupid things, they really mess up. What are your thoughts?

I hate this guy. How is he the self appointed inspector of the National Football League? We don’t need our politicians to interfere with such things. If he has nothing better to do, he can do it with his mouth shut, and his nosy self far away from the NFL. This is just another reason for me to hate the state of Pennsylvania. Nothing good comes out of it, except maybe potato chips. I feel confident that Roger Goodell, as appointed Commissioner of the NFL, can handle any situation that happens on the field of play. Go away Arlen Specter. You are a waste of time. In fact, I just lost 5 minutes of my life I will never get back, just writing this.

I am so angry. I have been a customer of Blockbuster Video for over 15 years probably, but it looks like those days are over. The reason is because they want 40 bucks from me for videos they have in their possession. It seems my wife and I kept a vido longer than we were supposed to. I understood that we could have been charge “re-stocking” fees, as they call them, but not the price for two movies. The weird part is that we return the movies and then like a month later we started getting collection calls. We can’t even argue with the collection agency, because it is a recording that just accepts payments, not complaints. So we call the store and they say, “sorry, the videos are yours, come pay the money and you can get them.” Nope, not gonna happen. Not paying the fees, and I have to question if what they are doing is even legal. How can they charge me for something that I don’t have, that is in fact in their possession, and they probably have rented numerous times since I returned them. I’m not paying, and I am not renting from them again. Anyone have similar stories? What happened with yours?

I thought I would start off my blog with something very near and dear to me; the election of Mr. Barack Obama as the newest president of the U.S. Yes I did vote for him, and I have many friends who have as well, but of course there were several million more who did not. Regardless of your feeling toward our new President Elect, there is no denying that he is now our president. So, to recognize this historic event, I thought I would post, with their permission of course, exerpts from friends of mine’s blogs, and some of the responses, just to show how passionate we all are over this most recent presidential election.

Jennie Koenigs’s thoughts

Here’s how I feel about people being rude and making assumptions about anyone that voted for Obama.

I think it’s really rude that you’re questioning people’s motives for voting for Obama. I didn’t vote for him because he’s black. Clearly i’m white as white can come. I voted because he was the best candidate.
You want to know why I voted for him, let me list a few reasons:

-Because he believes in giving gays not only protection in the work place, but believes that they should get rights similar to a married couple

-Because he believes we need to have better border patrol, but is willing to work w/ the illegals that are already here by having them learn english, get the correct documents, pay a fine, and be granted citizenship.
That’s fair, right? That would make these hardworking aliens legal and paying taxes, and isn’t that what the bottom line is when it comes to this issue?

-HE IS GIVING MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS.
MORE THAN 3 TIMES THE AMOUNT MCCAIN WANTED TO GIVE!!!! SO QUIT YOUR BITCHING ABOUT THIS!

-Families making more than $250,000 will pay either the same or lower tax rates than they paid in the 1990s.
**And all of you that i’ve heard bitching about this don’t even making a chunk of that money, so I don’t know what you’re worried about***

-He is a strong supporter of education. He’s willing to spend the time and money to make sure the children of america are learning.

-He’s going to invest in alternative types of fuel

-He want’s to lower the cost of health care, for some familys, this means saving $2500

-He wants to withdraw troops from over seas, but maintain them in other NEEDED places. No wonder we’re in a financial crisis… we’re spending TRILLIONS of dollars over there.

-He’s working on improving social security, so that my friends and I may have a SS fund when we are ready to retire… Something that is not in our future.

-He believes that women should have the choice and the right to getting an abortion. Just like it should be.

So please stop telling people that they voted for a man just because of his race, or because they are un-educated, or any other reason that is offensive. I think it’s really rude that people only have negative things to say right now. I feel like it’s mainly Mccain supporters bashing Obama supporters. I’m not saying I have all the answers, i’m just saying this is my OPINION! You have one, and I do too. Obama is my president, and he’s yours too.

Ashley Hegle’s Response