Second Helpings

Money Mystery

There are many things that are very different in the USA compared to England and most of them are for the better. We have become experts at confusing people with our strange accents and bizarre way of doing things.

One of the few things we don't really like or understand is this adding tax and tipping business. At home our tax is already added to goods so your price tag or bill is as you see it. Tipping is usually limited to taxi drivers, hairdressers and occasionally restaurants and there are no recommended amounts.

It's confusing knowing who, when, where and how much to tip here. Some Americans tell us they don't tip if service or food is not good, but that doesn't occur very often in our experience. We have improved at working out percentages and are usually thanked profusely for our tips, so I conclude we must be getting it right to some extent.

But one thing puzzles me. In restaurants we generally pay by cash as we'll have enough on our credit cards to pay back as it is. The waiter or waitress brings our bill and we put a pile of notes under the clip attached to the bill. When the waiter or waitress collects it they always say.

'I'll just get your change.'

When we say no, it's fine they reply ' Thank you. That's much appreciated. '

My question is, how on earth do they know how much there is in that pile of notes and whether there's a decent tip included or even enough to cover the bill?