Can you give me advices for my trip to New York City?

Next week I'm leaving for NYC and it's like a dream come true.

I would like to know what is the right attitude for such a big city?



I also have some more specific questions:

- Do you have to tip the waiter? And if yes how much and who else should you tip?

- When you're done eating at a restaurant you just ask for 'Check' , where do you pay?

- What is the difference between "Excuse me?" and "Pardon?"

- In Italy we generally talk a lot to taxi drivers, is it the same in NY?

- In a clothing store you ask the clerk for help in finding the right items or that would be considered odd?



If you have any other useful advice/comment ,go ahead.

I really look forward to this trip, I want everything to go well =)Can you give me advices for my trip to New York City?
- Tipping the waiter is required in all cases. Their salaries are very low and they depend on tips for a livable salary. For average service, give 15% of your bill. For better service, you should reward the waiter with more. For poor service, you can give less, but please think about what is considered bad service. For rude service then you should give a few pennies, just to show that you remembered the tip, but thew waiter stunk (this is coming someone who waitered for 8 years. There is never a reason to be rude.)
Lately, many shops which do not offer waiter service, like counter cafes and bagel shops, have tip jars next to their cash register. Tipping there is completely optional. You do not have to tip at all. The only people you have to tip are waiters, taxi drivers and the housekeepers who clean your hotel room.

-Each restaurant is different. At most you pay at your table, but in some places, diners and no fuss eateries, you bring the bill to the cashier.

-There is no practical difference between "excuse me" and "pardon". You can use either one interchangeably for the most part.

- You can talk to the taxi driver if you like. They might not want to talk back or be able to understand you. Taxi drivers usually do not dispense with advice on things like "best restaurant" and stuff like that (tip taxi drivers about 10%)

- You can ask clerks to help you in finding the right items in clothing stores. If you ask for help, it is not considered insulting if you do not buy anything.

Just like when visiting any big city, if you only go and see "sights" then all you are going to get is a postcard version of a trip. If you have the time for it, try to explore the neighborhoods of the city. Visit Brooklyn if you can. Be adventuresome. I have lived in the city for all but 3 years of my life (and one of those years was in Italy) and there are still parts of the city I haven't explored. There is so much of it! Whenever you see a free newspaper, take it and look for neat things to do. There is a magazine called "Timeout: New York" which lists all sorts of wonderful things to do.

Have fun!Can you give me advices for my trip to New York City?
= In Greenwich Village, Bianca's on Bleecker and the Bowery - Very good Italian food - prices are excellent - I don't think they have anything over $15.



Celeste, on the Upper West Side on Amsterdam and 84th - great bargain - excellent Italian food - prices are very reasonable - nothing more than $15, service is pleasant - a really nice place.Can you give me advices for my trip to New York City?
Yes, you have to tip the waiter unless you received ungodly terrible service. In the US, a waiter's salary is based mostly on tips. Most people tip between 15-20%. The easiest way to figure out what to tip is to double the amount of the tax (if the tax is $2.00, leave $4.00, and so on). The tax is always printed on the check below the subtotal.



There are a variety of methods used in receiving and paying your check. Some restaurants will leave you your check on the table towards the end of your meal (usually after the waiter asks if you want anything else) and some you'll have to wave at the waiter and ask (especially if it's a busy place.). NEVER snap your finger to get their attention. It is considered rude to do so. Depending on the restaurant, when you're done with your meal, you can leave cash on the table (usually in a holder) and walk out or if you require change, hand it to the waiter and wait for them to return. Same goes for using a credit card. Other restaurants require you to take the check and pay at a cash register when you're done.



There is no difference between "excuse me" and "pardon me". We usually say "excuse me" in the US, but either is fine.



We don't usually talk to cab drivers. We generally keep to ourselves. Many don't speak English outside of the basics (city streets, landmark locations, money, etc.).



Yes, you can ask the clerk to find items or sizes, but the amount of help you receive is up to the store.



I would suggest visiting this website for more more tips and basic information: http://www.nyctouristcenter.com



Enjoy your stay!