Ask a Yank (non political questions) thread.

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If Premier league games are getting expensive then that is one thing they have in common with NFL games - those are CRAZY expensive! Parking alone for SoFi (Rams and Chargers) is $100. NBA games are crazy expensive too. Baseball is not bad, and NHL is a bargain. I attend a couple of Anaheim Ducks games a season and I can get seats for those games for the same price I paid their first year in the league (<$30). Parking too - $20 for the "official" parking, but it's easy to find parking for $10 a short walk away.

It tends to follow how well they are doing too though I can't speak for every team.

When Sporting KC (soccer) first started the prices were very well priced, the stadium built does have a good thing going for it in that there isn't really a bad seat, in any case as they started proving to be good the pricing went up. After the Royals won the 2015 World Series the following year the ticket pricing was high and stayed high until they went back to being a not so good team. When the Chiefs started winning and then won the 2020 Super Bowl the following season's ticket were high and have stayed high since, some games less than others but the overall trend being as the team was winning interest increased and so did pricing.

 

[Lucys dad]

It tends to follow how well they are doing too though I can't speak for every team.

When Sporting KC (soccer) first started the prices were very well priced, the stadium built does have a good thing going for it in that there isn't really a bad seat, in any case as they started proving to be good the pricing went up. After the Royals won the 2015 World Series the following year the ticket pricing was high and stayed high until they went back to being a not so good team. When the Chiefs started winning and then won the 2020 Super Bowl the following season's ticket were high and have stayed high since, some games less than others but the overall trend being as the team was winning interest increased and so did pricing.

Sporting KC got one of our ( Dundee United) well loved Strikers, Johnny Russell. Legend

 

[Lumpy1106]

It tends to follow how well they are doing too though I can't speak for every team.

When Sporting KC (soccer) first started the prices were very well priced, the stadium built does have a good thing going for it in that there isn't really a bad seat, in any case as they started proving to be good the pricing went up. After the Royals won the 2015 World Series the following year the ticket pricing was high and stayed high until they went back to being a not so good team. When the Chiefs started winning and then won the 2020 Super Bowl the following season's ticket were high and have stayed high since, some games less than others but the overall trend being as the team was winning interest increased and so did pricing.

That's true to an extent - going to a Kings game is going to cost you more than going to a Ducks game. Going to see the Red Sox play in Fenway is going to cost more than seeing the Angels play. I just find that NFL and NBA as a whole has crossed a line and those games are by-and-large unaffordable to the common fan.

 

[Kate_45]

I have a red coat. It's not because I wanted everyone to know I supported Manchester United, and indeed no one would look at it and think my coat was a statement on my sporting affiliations. It's just a coat. Most people have different jackets for different types of weather (as opposed to different social occasions) and will want to wear their warm coat to every occasion that demands it. Black is versatile. You can wear it to school, work, job interviews, funerals. That's why we make and buy so many black coats.

The idea of someone choosing to buy a jacket of their favourite football team as opposed to a scarf or shirt makes me giggle a little as it's just not done here. They would look like Joey from Friends when he was wearing all the car merchandise. (Sudden thought, was that less funny in america as some people buy jackets to match their cars??) If someone was making a sketch show it might be how they would signify a tourist attending a match.

But it's not something I've ever thought about before. Well noticed.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Questions for today?

 

[tony67]

So back to the tipping stuff as I was just in Portugal where tipping a euro or two on meal is very much appreciated. (Not the UK I know but lots of folks from the UK in Porto - more Americans than UK this trip though - which was really odd to me)
We at at one place- just a high end pizzeria in Porto and I think we left like 3.5 euro - just rounded it up from 51.50 to 55 and she really appreciated it. The service was excellent and in the states I would not have had an issue leaving 20% and the waitress would not have even said thanks. We went back 9 days later and she remembered us and took great care of us again.

We did a day trip to Guimarães and ate at a Michelin star restaurant - I cant believe how many Michelin star restaurants are in small towns in Portugal - its pretty amazing - we ate at three on our trip and twice at 34 in Guimarães. Anyway we had a meal with wine and multiple tapas. a main and a dessert. The meal was incredible and the bill was only 91 Euros. I heard heard that in a nice restaurant in Portugal you should leave about 10% so I round it up to 100 and the waitress was so appreciative. She said people usually leave a euro or two. Honestly in the states that meal would have cost at least twice as much is not more and if I tipped 20% it would just be expected. We came back a few days later - the meal was so good we did a second day trip to Guimarães. It was a different server - but the host remembered us and took great care of us. (that said you don't want to over tip as the local get annoyed and it messes up things for them - so I always research the tipping culture before I go to a country)

This is how tipping is meant to work - good service and food gets a good tip - not an expected tip.
And the staff truly appreciate the tip.

So many times just leaving a couple of Euro and the waiter\waitress said thanks thanks very generous - now maybe they always say that IDK - but still its nice to see the tip appreciated.

 

[SnowBeast]

So back to the tipping stuff as I was just in Portugal where tipping a euro or two on meal is very much appreciated. (Not the UK I know but lots of folks from the UK in Porto - more Americans than UK this trip though - which was really odd to me)
We at at one place- just a high end pizzeria in Porto and I think we left like 3.5 euro - just rounded it up from 51.50 to 55 and she really appreciated it. The service was excellent and in the states I would not have had an issue leaving 20% and the waitress would not have even said thanks. We went back 9 days later and she remembered us and took great care of us again.

We did a day trip to Guimarães and ate at a Michelin star restaurant - I cant believe how many Michelin star restaurants are in small towns in Portugal - its pretty amazing - we ate at three on our trip and twice at 34 in Guimarães. Anyway we had a meal with wine and multiple tapas. a main and a dessert. The meal was incredible and the bill was only 91 Euros. I heard heard that in a nice restaurant in Portugal you should leave about 10% so I round it up to 100 and the waitress was so appreciative. She said people usually leave a euro or two. Honestly in the states that meal would have cost at least twice as much is not more and if I tipped 20% it would just be expected. We came back a few days later - the meal was so good we did a second day trip to Guimarães. It was a different server - but the host remembered us and took great care of us. (that said you don't want to over tip as the local get annoyed and it messes up things for them - so I always research the tipping culture before I go to a country)

This is how tipping is meant to work - good service and food gets a good tip - not an expected tip.
And the staff truly appreciate the tip.

So many times just leaving a couple of Euro and the waiter\waitress said thanks thanks very generous - now maybe they always say that IDK - but still it’s nice to see the tip appreciated.

Just THIS. This is the way tipping SHOULD work. If you read any of my posts you’ll know my absolute number one hate of the US is the insane tipping culture. I hear all this rubbish about ‘oh you need to tip to make up a server’s wages’ etc, but that’s not how tipping should work. A tip should be a small gesture of appreciation to somebody for doing something above expectation. Somebody bringing out my food and clearing the plates is just called doing your job, it’s nothing that deserves 20% on top of the meal price. But if I’m just rounding up a couple of dollars, I don’t mind, as long as they’ve done their job and been polite. Tipping 20% to somebody for doing their job is just nuts.

 

[deno]

My issue with tipping 20% is say, for example, if I eat Le Cellier and the bill is $500 for 5 of us, I'm expected to leave a $100 tip for the waitress who has done a 75 minute job serving our table. I can eat at Denny's for $90 and only pay an expected $18 yet that server has done the exact same job (maybe even a better job) than the Disney server.

Now, to me, a $20 tip is sufficient for a table of 5, a $100 tip is just ridiculous. And I don't agree that if I can afford a $500 meal I can afford to tip more than I make an hour.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Brits, do you enjoy British or American tv shows more?

 

[clappyclaps]

Brits, do you enjoy British or American tv shows more?

Depends on the type of tv show to be honest although I mostly don't have a preference when it comes to dramas. With comedy British tv shows usually win hands down, although I do like a handful of American ones. Think I just prefer the quirkier, British nature of ours. Although mainstream sitcoms whether British or American I cant stand. Also prefer British reality or talent type shows like Masterchef etc. The American versions are so over the top and dramatic and kinda irritating!

 

[SnowBeast]

Brits, do you enjoy British or American tv shows more?

I enjoy American drama series much more than British ones. Breaking bad, better call Saul, 24 etc are probably my favourite tv shows ever. I just think British dramas tend to be a bit depressing and drab, and I love the settings of the US shows. When it comes to comedy though it has to be British, I think our comedy fits with our own humour. For instance The Office (British version) is brilliant, but I just don’t think the Americans can relate to that humour. I used to work in an office where happenings and conversations could have been lifted straight from the show. I tried to watch the US version, but to me it just completely misses the point of the humour and is just the typical American slap you in the face comedy that I don’t find funny. The inbetweeners is another, UK version is amazing and relatable to me as a young lad going through sixth form at school, the US version is like something for kids, the language is tamed down etc and it just makes it unwatchable, nothing like our version.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I'm curious if the 4th of July is ever talked about today in the UK in some way given the UK's role in the conflict? I don't mean it in a egotistical American way but just that if it's ever mentioned on tv or something.

 

[SnowBeast]

I'm curious if the 4th of July is ever talked about today in the UK in some way given the UK's role in the conflict? I don't mean it in an egotistical American way but just that if it's ever mentioned on tv or something.

No, treason day is not really mentioned over here . It might be mentioned that it’s the 4th July if there’s a news story on something about the US or something like that but normally it’s not really acknowledged.

 

[Ruttangel]

I'm curious if the 4th of July is ever talked about today in the UK in some way given the UK's role in the conflict? I don't mean it in an egotistical American way but just that if it's ever mentioned on tv or something.

Nope, it’s just a regular old day
We’ve had plenty of other, how shall I put it, more meaningful days of national importance
Our history is more than 250 years

 

[Kate_45]

If we celebrated every time an old colony got independance then it would be roughly every six days (around 65 countries). Coupled with the fact Americans tend not to use a special name for the holiday - just the date, we don't think twice if someone says 4th of July, because they may as well be saying 5th of July.

Though to be honest this year there was some mention of it on disney plus and I said oh yeah, happy star trek day. Getting completely and utterly confused (may the 4th).

I tell you what did make me think though was seeing someone with sparklers on instagram and going eh? Fireworks night/bonfire night isn't for months. Then I remembered the rest of the world doesn't celebrate November the 5th. Why would they? I think our attitude to the 4th of July is probably similar to your attitude to the 5th of November. We were involved in 4th of July, but not that invested, Jamestown wasn't quite settled at the time of the gunpowder plot and settlers obviously also not that invested as the custom wasnt carried over.

 

[dcassetta]

No, treason day is not really mentioned over here . It might be mentioned that it’s the 4th July if there’s a news story on something about the US or something like that but normally it’s not really acknowledged.

Nope, it’s just a regular old day
We’ve had plenty of other, how shall I put it, more meaningful days of national importance
Our history is more than 250 years

When I was in grad school, one of the professors was American and invited the expats to a party. We went down to our boathouse, had a picnic, and lit sparklers on the 4th. It was surprisingly meaningful. I lived behind the Magic Kingdom for several years, so could see fireworks most every night. The sparklers were special.

As a side note, my college also celebrates Thanksgiving with a prayer service and special dinner each year.

For instance The Office (British version) is brilliant, but I just don’t think the Americans can relate to that humour. I used to work in an office where happenings and conversations could have been lifted straight from the show. I tried to watch the US version, but to me it just completely misses the point of the humour and is just the typical American slap you in the face comedy that I don’t find funny.

Spot on! I have tried to watch the American Office several times because people recommend it, but it is not funny.

 

[JayMass]

Just THIS. This is the way tipping SHOULD work. If you read any of my posts you’ll know my absolute number one hate of the US is the insane tipping culture. I hear all this rubbish about ‘oh you need to tip to make up a server’s wages’ etc, but that’s not how tipping should work. A tip should be a small gesture of appreciation to somebody for doing something above expectation. Somebody bringing out my food and clearing the plates is just called doing your job, it’s nothing that deserves 20% on top of the meal price. But if I’m just rounding up a couple of dollars, I don’t mind, as long as they’ve done their job and been polite. Tipping 20% to somebody for doing their job is just nuts.

I completely understand this argument, but it's one of those things where what SHOULD happen and how things ACTUALLY work are out of whack. Unfortunately, tipping is part of the cost of dining out in North America. When looking at the price of a meal I always remember to add in the 20% (or more). Waitstaff are paid BELOW minimum wage in the US. Until recent legislation (which I will NOT go into), they even had to pay taxes on their tips as it was considered part of their income. This is why I have developed the habit of paying for my meal with a credit card and tipping the waitstaff in cash.

Remember, the price of meal is set not just by the cost of the ingredients, but by all of the restaurant's expenses--cooks, dishwashers, printing, advertising, rent, utilities, and waitstaff. If all of the sudden they eliminated tipping you would need to raise the waitstaff's wages and that would be added to your meal cost.

Now, I know that there are many other factors at play here, but let me use a super-simplistic example to describe what I mean. Let's say in the current North American tipping culture your meal costs $100. You are expected to tip 20% on top of that and pay $120. Right now in Florida, tipped employees make a minimum wage of $10/hour (actually it's $9.98, but we'll make it $10 for argument's sake) while non-tipped employees make a minimum wage of $13/hour. If we took away the tipping culture, we'd have to move that minimum wage of $10 to $13 which is actually an increase of 30%--which is above the 20% you are expected to tip now. So, with all other things being equal and the restaurant wanting to keep income the same, your $120 meal with tipping is now $130 without tipping. (And if the service was great and you want to tip, now you are spending even more!).

 

[zavandor]

Now, I know that there are many other factors at play here, but let me use a super-simplistic example to describe what I mean. Let's say in the current North American tipping culture your meal costs $100. You are expected to tip 20% on top of that and pay $120. Right now in Florida, tipped employees make a minimum wage of $10/hour (actually it's $9.98, but we'll make it $10 for argument's sake) while non-tipped employees make a minimum wage of $13/hour. If we took away the tipping culture, we'd have to move that minimum wage of $10 to $13 which is actually an increase of 30%--which is above the 20% you are expected to tip now. So, with all other things being equal and the restaurant wanting to keep income the same, your $120 meal with tipping is now $130 without tipping. (And if the service was great and you want to tip, now you are spending even more!).

No, not really.
Let's say the cost of a 10$ burger, is (made up numbers, just to show the reasoning): 3$ for the raw materials, $2 for salary of the cook, $1 for the below minimum wage pay for the waiter, $2 for fixed costs (rental of the property, lights, insurance etc etc), $2 profit for the owner of the restaurants. If you raise the server's salary by 30%, the total cost of the burger would be $10.30.
If you tip 20% instead, the burger costs $12. You'd have to triple the waiter's salary ($30 an hour) to pay the same.

What's even crazier is what happens at fancy restaurants.
A bill for 2 at Victoria and Albert warrants a tip of well over $100. I had the most amazing meal of my life there (pre-covid, when prices were a bit more reasonable) and the waiters were amazing. But were they 50 times better than a friendly waiter at a roadside diner that serves $10 burgers?