Piero, glad that you have enjoyed your previous trips to the US. Hope the
next one is better than the previous ones. You have gotten good advice from
all the posters here in reference to tips and currency amounts.
I hope I enjoy my trip to Great Britain, Spain and Italy this July. I am
sure that I will, but I hope I don't embarrass myself too much with our
different cultures. I normally tip well in the US for good service and will
be staying at the Waldorf in London, the Barcelona Hilton and then cruising
the West side of Italy. You said that it is "normal" for tips in these
hotels. Any suggestions or should I just leave it to my sense of honor?
"Piero" wrote in message
news:f0jeol$f7h$1@news.intratec.it...
> Rik Brown ha scritto:
>
>> I've rarely had any trouble with getting back change on $20 bills. I
>> think what is important is the amount of change that you will be
>> getting back. So using a $50 bill for a $40 meal is just fine.
>
> What I mean is that here (Europe) is common to have 50 euro bills on the
> pocket, because ATM often give you them.
> No one give you a strange look also if you pay only 7-8 euro with them.
> Some problem if they have not change, but otherwise no problem.
> Happily new euro bills are difficult to replicate, so no big problems.
> (Here counterfeiters replicate more often 2euro coins: automatic vending
> machines are full of them!!!)
> I remember last year on a supermarket, the customer in front of me paid
> with a 500 euro bill (never seen one before...)!!!
>
>> Whereas when I go
>> overseas I'll take $100 bills as those will be exchanged into the local
>> currency at the arrival airports.
>
> I found cheaper when I go abroad to get money from local ATMs with my
> debit card (NOT credit card that costs too much!) than change bills on a
> exchange office or a bank.
>
>> As for coins, I tend to accummilate too many of them whether its in the
>> USA or abroad. I'll try to feed those to a drink vending machine in the
>> hotels or out on the streets, etc.
>
> I have a wife that like very much automatic washing machines, and I
> remember them very hungry of 25c coins :-) :-).
>
>> Hope you have a great trip! -- Rik
>
> Thank you!
> If someone here needs some advice on Italy or Europe: welcome :-).
>
> Ciao, Piero.
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