Going to Tampa. What do I do?

[TheSlug]

I'm going to USA for the first time in my life, more precisely Tampa, Florida. What do I have to think of that are different from the rest of the world? All prices are excluding taxes, how much is that? Are there any differences from grocery stores to clothing stores or instrument stores?
I've also been told tipping is mandatory. Who gets tips? Hairdressers, waiters..?
Thanks.

 

[MJ5150]

You'll be driving on the other side of the road, and few to no USA citizens will understand the system of numbers you are used to for measuring.
Study up on inches, feet, miles, and gallons.
Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's expected. Wait staff in restaurants with table service, hairdressers, if you're staying in a hotel the people who clean your room daily and who handle your luggage are a few examples.

Sales tax is not typically included when you see the price of an item on the shelf or a menu. Sales tax can vary from city to city. Around where I live, no where near Florida, it can be as high as nearly 10%.

-Mike

 

[Gmountain]

Sales tax is 6% or 6.5%. There is no tax on most grocery items. Everything else is taxed at the same rate. Gasoline taxes are included in the price- tax is not extra. Tipping is mandatory, but it is expected for people in service industries, like waitresses. No tipping though at fast food places, like McDonalds. Only tip if someone actually waits on your table. If they bring food to you at a counter, no tip is expected.

 

[Gmountain]

Tampa is pretty much the same as other places in the western world. People are friendly. Don't be afraid to use first names once you meet someone, unless it's a business setting. If they are ok with first names, they will tell you. Most people are. The US is more casual than the rest of the world in that respect.

If you have questions about something, by all means ask. People are happy to help.

 

[Gmountain]

You'll be driving on the other side of the road, and few to no USA citizens will understand the system of numbers you are used to for measuring.
Study up on inches, feet, miles, and gallons.
Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's expected. Wait staff in restaurants with table service, hairdressers, if you're staying in a hotel the people who clean your room daily and who handle your luggage are a few examples.

Sales tax is not typically included when you see the price of an item on the shelf or a menu. Sales tax can vary from city to city. Around where I live, no where near Florida, it can be as high as nearly 10%.

-Mike

I think in Norway people drive on the right, same as here.

 

[Gmountain]

I'm in Florida, by the way.

 

[Gorn]

I've always heard that Tampa is world renowned for having the best houses of ill repute. That information probably doesn't help you but that's what I know about Tampa.

 

[Oddly]

I've not been to Norway, but I've spent a fair bit of time in the States (NY and Southern Florida) as a European.

A few things to adjust to...

Americans haven't worked out the metric system yet.
People drive almost everywhere.
Food servings are way bigger.
Shop assistants, bar staff, waiters are all a LOT friendlier.(True, they may be faking it, but they're good at it...I guess because their tips depend on it.)
Sales tax is 7% (I just asked my sister who lives in Ft Lauderdale).
Do check on how to behave with a police stop. Last I checked do not get out of your car until directed to. (I learnt this the hard way). Be excessively polite.

Actually, being polite generally goes down well.

Have fun!
I'm sure you'll get more helpful tips from the natives.
I know there's a Florida Bassists club on here...

 

[TheSlug]

Thanks! I knew I could depend on fellow bass players for this.

You'll be driving on the other side of the road

I think in Norway people drive on the right, same as here.

In Europe, only UK, Ireland and Malta drives on the left side of the road.

Study up on inches, feet, miles, and gallons.

The hardest would probably be oz and Fahrenheit.

Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's expected. Wait staff in restaurants with table service, hairdressers, if you're staying in a hotel the people who clean your room daily and who handle your luggage are a few examples.

I've heard the check at restaurants have boxes to tick for what you want to tip (sounds kind of mandatory). 17% is the expected tip on restaurants right? What do I tip the room cleaners and luggage handlers? I have nothing to base percentage from with them.

 

[TheSlug]

I've always heard that Tampa is world renowned for having the best houses of ill repute

I had to google what that was. Gonna ask my girlfriend if it's that type of vacation we're going for.

 

[Gmountain]

Thanks! I knew I could depend on fellow bass players for this.



In Europe, only UK, Ireland and Malta drives on the left side of the road.


The hardest would probably be oz and Fahrenheit.


I've heard the check at restaurants have boxes to tick for what you want to tip (sounds kind of mandatory). 17% is the expected tip on restaurants right? What do I tip the room cleaners and luggage handlers? I have nothing to base percentage from with them.

Restaurant checks have a line where you fill in the tip, if you want to leave a tip. It's not mandatory, but for normal/decent service, it's usually 20%. Crappy service can be less, and really crappy service doesnt deserve a tip. Most people leave 20%, and if you don't want to put it on a card, you can leave cash.
Baggage handlers -usually a dollar or two per bag. Room cleaners- just leave $5 in the room when you leave. Waiters and waitresses have a reduced minimum wage, so they depend on tips.

As far as ounces, a liter is about quart. A pint about 1/2 liter. Four quarts is a gallon, and gas is sold by the gallon.

 

[TheSlug]

Restaurant checks have a line where you fill in the tip, if you want to leave a tip. It's not mandatory, but for normal/decent service, it's usually 20%. Crappy service can be less, and really crappy service doesnt deserve a tip. Most people leave 20%, and if you don't want to put it on a card, you can leave cash.
Baggage handlers -usually a dollar or two per bag. Room cleaners- just leave $5 in the room when you leave. Waiters and waitresses have a reduced minimum wage, so they depend on tips.

As far as ounces, a liter is about quart. A pint about 1/2 liter. Four quarts is a gallon, and gas is sold by the gallon.

Thanks. I'll be going for 20% tip all the time then.
Just googled the minimum wage of Florida, it's insanely low.
are the bottles and cans of soda and water measured in oz or gallons? 32 oz is a quart, right?

 

[Stewie26]

Thanks. I'll be going for 20% tip all the time then.
Just googled the minimum wage of Florida, it's insanely low.
are the bottles and cans of soda and water measured in oz or gallons? 32 oz is a quart, right?

Most are labeled in oz. Some are also metric too. Generally, tips for food services at a sit down restaurant are 15% to server. You can add more if you feel the service was beyond the norm. Do not tip at fast food places like McDonalds etc. In Florida, there are a lot of elderly drivers on the road. Use extra caution.

 

[MJ5150]

Thanks! I knew I could depend on fellow bass players for this.



In Europe, only UK, Ireland and Malta drives on the left side of the road.


The hardest would probably be oz and Fahrenheit.


I've heard the check at restaurants have boxes to tick for what you want to tip (sounds kind of mandatory). 17% is the expected tip on restaurants right? What do I tip the room cleaners and luggage handlers? I have nothing to base percentage from with them.

Thanks for clearing up the driving. I didn't know.

For restaurant tips, I'm usually good for 20%. Most expect 15%. Some do provide boxes to check on your bill. I think that's more to help people figure it out since math skills are becoming scarce in the USA.
Luggage handlers I don't deal with much as I usually carry on luggage I handle myself. The last time I checked bags, I gave the guy $5 to bring my large rolling suitcase to the 22nd floor of my hotel.
A dollar or two per bag seems reasonable in my opinion.

-Mike

 

[MJ5150]

Thanks. I'll be going for 20% tip all the time then.
Just googled the minimum wage of Florida, it's insanely low.
are the bottles and cans of soda and water measured in oz or gallons? 32 oz is a quart, right?

Soda is ounces and liters. Water usually too, but that also sells by the gallon.

-Mike

 

[Indiana Mike]

I usually leave five to ten dollars a day for room cleaners.
Kind of depends how messy I leave it.

Don't use the ice buckets! People use those as puke buckets!
I don't use the ice buckets or coffee makers. Just my opinion. But who knows who has done who knows what with them.

 

[fdeck]

are the bottles and cans of soda and water measured in oz or gallons? 32 oz is a quart, right?

Virtually all products give both US and metric quantities. You can also tell by just looking at the size.

 

[MJ5150]

I usually leave five to ten dollars a day for room cleaners.
Kind of depends how messy I leave it.

Don't use the ice buckets! People use those as puke buckets!
I don't use the ice buckets or coffee makers. Just my opinion. But who knows who has done who knows what with them.

Do you sleep in your clothes on the bed?
I made the mistake, or maybe did myself a favor, and took one of those black lights with me to a hotel visit once. Never, ever again will I sleep on hotel linen.

-Mike

 

[pickles]

Good local fish especially grouper.

 

[Indiana Mike]

Do you sleep in your clothes on the bed?
I made the mistake, or maybe did myself a favor, and took one of those black lights with me to a hotel visit once. Never, ever again will I sleep on hotel linen.

-Mike

No , but I won't use ice buckets,coffee pots or cups not wrapped and sealed