Cranky Domestic Goddess

I’ve totally forgotten to post about our dinner at Lemongrass … and I don’t even know where I have placed the pix. OH NO!

That evening, we also went to Engel Cafe. Shoot shoot … where are the pix?!

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Skipping out on a tip is not frugal. It’s cheap. Not sure when it’s appropriate to tip or how much you should tip in certain situations? Here’s your ultimate guide on how to tip. (Note: Tipping guidelines differ from country to country. This guide is intended for those who will be tipping in the United States.)

Traveling

• Housekeeping at the hotel. A good tip for housekeeping is between $2 to $5. Don’t just leave cash on the nightstand. It might not be clear to your maid that the money is for them. Make sure to leave the tip in an envelope marked for housekeeping.
• Tour guide. Tip between $1 to $5 per person in your group.
• Skycap or bell hop. $1 to $2 per bag they lug for you. If you’re running late and the skycap books your luggage to your plane so you can get their on time, bump up the tip.
• Doorman. Only tip the doorman at a hotel if he gives you a hot tip on the best places to eat or visit while in town.

Personal Services

• Massage Therapist. Give 10 to 20 percent of the total cost.
• Nurses. Usually tipping nurses at hospitals are not permitted, but don’t tell that to my wife’s grandma. She’s a retired nurse and believes you should definitely tip nurses and other health assistants. Any time she’s at the hospital you can guarantee she’s getting the best service because she gave her nurse “la boost.”
• Garage parking. $2 for your car. When you valet park, tip the person who brings you the car, not the person who parks it.
• Baristas/Smoothie Makers/ice cream scoopers. It seems like all these types of establishments have tip jars now a days. Spare change is always appreciated. If the barista starts making your order as soon as you walk in so that its ready for you by the time you get up to pay, tip a little extra.
  Hairstylist. Tip 15% of the cost of the haircut.
• Takeout. If you order takeout from a restaurant make sure to tip the cashier a bit. While they weren’t waiting on you hand in foot for, they did have to bust their butt to get your order together and ready. If they help you take your order out to the car, tip a bit extra.
• Car washer. $3 bucks is good for a basic car wash. If they take extra time in your detailing, give 10% of the cost of the wash.
• Manicure. 10 to 15% is a nice tip.
• Tattoos/body piercings. 15% of what the total cost is. If the tattoo artist does an amazing job of capturing what your mother looks like on your arm, tip extra.
• Tow truck. It depends on what services the person provides. If they jump your car or change your tire, tip about $4. If they tow it, $5 is good tip.
• Bagger at the grocery store. Now a days people no longer tip grocery baggers. It’s not necessary, but definitely a nice gesture. $1 is a good tip.

Delivery Services

• Newspaper deliverer. During the holidays, give them a card with $20. My in-laws do this every year and as a result, they have their paper delivered straight to their door instead of just thrown on the driveway.
• Pizza/Meal delivery. 10 to 15% is customary. If the weather is bad, i.e. there’s snow and ice or a tsunami, tip extra.
• Furniture/large appliance delivery. $5 per person. If they stick around and help you assemble or rearrange your furniture, tip extra.

Out On the Town

• Waiters. 15 to 20% is customary. If they do an exceptional job, pay more. If you come in with a large group make sure to ask if gratuity is added into your check so you don’t tip them twice. (Of course, as a former waiter, I always appreciated it when someone give me a little extra in addition to the gratuity.)
• Bartenders. 15 to 20%. Again, if they do an excellent job give more. If you come during happy hour and down 20 $.99 cent draws, don’t just leave 15%. Bartenders have to bust their butt to get those things poured for you and deserve more than just your change.
• Casino. There lots of people you could be tipping at a casino. First, you have cocktail waitresses. 15% is customary. Many people tip dealers when they have a successful run.
• Taxi. Standard tip is 15%. If they get you to your destination quickly, tip extra.

Holidays

During the holidays, it’s customary to give a little more for the everyday services we receive. Here is just a short list of people you should consider giving “la boost” to during the holidays.

• Mailman. It’s against federal law to tip to federal employees, but they can accept gifts of less than $20. During the holidays, give your mailman a non-monetary gift valued at less than $20. Baked goods are always appreciated.
• Garbage/recycling man. These guys have a dirty job, recognize their work around the holidays by giving them a tip. $10 per person is nice. You can also just give gifts.
• Teachers. If you have kids in school, its usually customary to give their teacher a small gift at Christmas time. It doesn’t have to be big. I remember when I was a kid, I usually gave candles.
• Babysitter. A gift in addition to their normal pay is nice. Gift cards are always appreciated.
• Cleaning person. An extra week’s pay or a nice gift.

By Brett McKay

It’s not a custom to tip here in Finland. So, I can’t see myself in the service industry …

I took this pix when I visited Malaysia. I kinda like how it turned out.

Maybe I should add more colors to it.

I’m going to Paris. I wonder if I should bring along my new camera or just bring the EOS with me.

I’m so excited!

The other forum just started like 2 days and we have hundreds of posts already! It’s very very active!!!

Love it to bits! wOOt!

I’m so glad the forum I’ve setup for my friends over in the pacific ocean is finally up and running! My they are really fun! They’re already so active!!! They have finally helped to transfer over the important posts from the soon-to-close forum. I didn’t have to ask for help - they just do it on their own! I really appreciate them for doing that. Oh yeah, I love using that forum format too! It’s so nice cuz I can create my own theme with it! I still have some stuff to work on before I can say it’s ready!

Anyway, will be spending the day raking tomorrow. The darn wind brought down all the leaves finally! My boy asked “Mama where are the trees???” Cute boy!

I’m so proud of my D90! It’s still in the box - unopened *haha*

It’s currently in California waiting for a transit back to Finland.

I’m also getting 2 lenses - 70-300mm and 50mm f1/4

I’ve been super busy this week! Firstly, I’ve been cracking my head to writeup for the new forum. Then I talked to one of my new found friends about continuing the forum which she was about to cease. So yeah, now I’m busy working on the latest forum - meant for my other mates!

I was thinking of inviting them to join my new forum - which was meant ONLY for friends. But that would be quite a big change for them. Their forum is very much “family-like”. Everybody loves everybody. They trash at each other calling each other names. Yet they are still friends *lmao* No dramas, no grudges. It’s really fun to be with them as they share and talk about just anything … love that kinda forum culture! I hope they will continue to keep the forum, which I’m about to launch to them, lively!

I can’t wait for my Paris trip. I wanted to go with the family. But hubby said go alone. Go take a break. Yay! With my D90, this trip is gonna be fun. I cannot guarantee taking excellent quality of picturesque Paris. But I can promise you I’ll take tonnes of photos to share!

Do you like popcorns? As a matter of fact, I love them to bits. I’ve always loved my popcorns both sweet and salty. Yeah love to add lots of butter to my popcorns so that it feels as if they are melting in mouth as I eat them. I’ve never been creative with popcorns. Many love them coated with cinnamon or even curry flavor. Those flavors are too exotic for me. Still love it the traditional way … either sweet or buttered! Anyway, no harm trying it differently sometimes.

With Halloween just around the corner. I’ve been cracking my head thinking of snacks for the kids as I play them “The Addams Family”. Then I remembered that I can actually offer them Popcorn balls. I’m amazed by how popcorns can come in all shapes and sizes. They are exceptionally creative! I’m planning on getting a popcorn ball decorating kit so that I can make all kinds of funny and scary looking popcorns for them. For the adults - hubby and I - I would be delighted to have the “Monster Dots Popcorn Tins” which come with 3-Way combo of premium, flavor-infused favorites - all-natural Butter, robust Cheese and secret-recipe Caramel corn.

This is also an excellent birthday idea for the kids party snacks. It’s cute, colorful and lovable. The kids are gonna love me for surprising them with their favorite snack.