Upon entering a taxi at McCarren for the ride to my hotel, I always tell the driver "no tunnels, no highways".? Sometimes they complain that "I don't understand the traffic at this time..." but I still insist on surface streets.
Other times when I make this same request, the cabbie will say "Lady, I never do that to my customers"? I tell them I appreciate that and they get a larger tip.
One time not too long ago, I was on the phone entering the taxi and forgot to say anything beyond my hotel name.? Driver took me through the tunnel and fare was considerably more than I usually pay to go to Venetian?on my many trips to LV.? I asked him why he took the tunnel and he said it was "fastest".?It was?10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning,?not 6pm on a Friday night.?
I told him I disagreed and that prior trips had only cost me in the range of $--$ and that I did not appreciate what appeared to be his?trying to? pad the fare or take advantage of a tourist.? I told him that I was only willing to pay the standard fare for the trip.? He backed down immediately and said -- "ok, pay me whatever you think is fair"
Am I pinching pennies or correct in my handling of this matter in the opinion of those of you who care to comment?
I waitressed to get through college and all my kids waitressed or bartended also for college expenses.? We are a family of good tippers as long as there is at least?average service provided.? I am not cheap and frequently over tip or tip those who don't usually get a tip just because they were doing a nice job.
Comments?
Diane
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-----Original Message-----
From: krallison416@aol.com
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, Jun 30, 2009 1:36 am
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: XVP Re: Tipping
Barry is right on the money here. Having worked as a cabbie in my
checkered past, I've absolutely taken the high road and appreciated those who 'got
it.' The guys who take you through the tunnel to the Strip belong with
the guy who ragged you about a short ride and got short-tipped. And, of
course, anyone who has ever worked for tips understands the proprieties about
tipping.
I learned young to tip and I well remember my dad sending me back out in a
blizzard because he'd forgotten to tip and I needed to bring that money
for the waitress.
And bless the manager who protects his servers by going out after someone
who has stiffed them. I've seen that too and I think it's excellent
management skills he demonstrated.
Karen
"She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you
would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."
- Mark Twain
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