Five things I don't get about America 

As for tipping, servers in America typically make bout 3 dollars an hour (less than half what minimum wage is.) Restaurants get away with this because servers have the opportunity to be tipped, which is why it's frowned upon to not tip here. But I agree it was rude of that woman to tell you that you didn't tip enough. Most people here would agree that is rude and a normal server wouldn't have said anything about it.

New York is not a good example of how Americans are.

Everyone gets called dude. I get called dude I call my friends dude . Don't hate on dude :)

I call literally everyone dude. Girls, guys, cats, infants, everyone.

Dude is a friendly word. A great word in my opinion

very weird i have lived in Texas my whole life but i have never-heard of a waitress coming back and demanding more money for the tip furthermore the tip being 25% is unheard of here. i was raised to tip 10% of the bill IF the waitress was a good waitress if not no tip for them. As for the dude thing i use the word dude everyday for alot of different things not just referring to people but yeah you are a guy and for me guy=dude it's just one of those things i may do till i die so don't think to much about it

Hello welcome to America, here's a list of places not to go to: New York City Detriot Orlando (Other than Universal) Vegas Chicago just dont go to major cities and you will be fine

I'm born and raised in NYC and I must say it could be very overwhelming at first. I've come across many tourist from all over the place and most people have different opinions on the city but one thing is for sure not everyone is rude. You'd be shocked by the amount of people who are nice. but then again you can come across someone who needs a attitude adjustment. Its not just NYC, mean people are everywhere. I currently live in Louisiana now (which is another state in the US) because of the Army and I still come across rude people who are from all over the states. No matter if your in America or the UK, you will always find a handful of people who are assholes. That being said I hope you enjoyed your time there! and hopefully you came across some good people. Much love!

I've been calling people "dude" since 4th grade. I even call my parents "dude". You better get used to it, dude ;)

From what I've been told, when waiters report the income they earn from waiting on tax forms, they are expected to automatically add 10% to their "official" income to model the amount they get from tips. Thus if you tip less than 10% you are in a sense making the waiter/waitress earn less money than their reported salary.

just subscribed! i live in London and i'm at the stage where I'm auditioning for drama schools.. i was wondering, what do you think of ArtsEd if you remember at all? i'm a bit iffy with that one.

Come to the south. If you are in LA or NYC, you are on an alien planet compared to the rest of the country. We would give them away if we could.

Re: tipping in the US-- Sometimes, when large groups (8+ usually) go out to eat, restaurants will add a gratuity into the bill, to make sure the server is compensated for serving the large party (or fewer tables served, because more tables=more tips). If the gratuity is listed above the grand total of the bill and included in it, then yes, you must pay it. If the gratuity is listed after the grand total, it is a suggestion, not a requirement (some restaurants do this to make it easier on the customers). Standard tipping the the US is 15-20% of the bill before tax-- never tip on the sales tax!--depending on how good the service is. If the service is terrible 0-10% is acceptable to tip. 20%+ is for truly amazing above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty service. 15-18% is for average to above average service. Tipping on food service really only applies to sit-down restaurants (waiters/waitresses can legally be paid a fraction of minimum wage because "tips will make up the difference", or so the theory goes) or delivery food (because the food is being brought to you), tip jars at Starbucks or whatever notwithstanding. Tipping for other services, like haircuts, or getting your nails done, is harder to gauge (there's no hard-and-fast rule as with food service), but a very common practice. Personally, I shoot for 15-20%.

I hardly ever post on RU-vid but I don't believe for one second a waitress confronted you demanding a larger tip. She said it's generally double the sales tax? Didn't happen. What no one explained to you was that the salary of a waiter/waitress is generally $2-$3 an hour. This is their guaranteed wage and the remainder of their pay is then determined by the customers based on their performance as a waiter/waitress in the form of a tip; generally 20-25% of the TOTAL bill. The restaurants charge less for food and instead pass these proceeds to the employees, generally for tax purposes but it ensures the best customer service since their livelihood depends on it. What I don't understand is why this isn't a practice in Europe. Waitress and waiters in Europe could learn a thing or two from American customer service as service there is less than desirable and most seem flat out miserable.

New York and California are very different compared to the rest of the country.

I'm a hostess in Illinois in us. I work at a breakfast/ lunch place and tips are at your choice. They cant make you tip even though its encouraged. I went to one Italian place in Chicago and the tip was added to the bill I was pissed. The serving was awful the cheak came out to be $100 and the tip was 25% I said something and they said that if there is more then a part of 4 they have the right to charge 25% tip. I was so mad.

With the bags.. If you buy fresh produce or raw meat or anything of that sort. It is required by law to put them in separate bags so they don't contaminate anything else. It also happens with any chemicals. Hope that helps.

Double bagging is probably b/c you're in NYC and people walk long distances and climb multiple flights of stairs to get home. It's not so common elsewhere from what I've seen.

I totally get the tipping thing in NYC! It drives me nuts! The waiters/waitresses are SO rude. When I was younger we visited nyc and I ordered a 3-course meal. The waitress took away everyone's silverware (why?) and then when she gave me my salad, I asked for a salad fork...to eat the salad with, and she gave me a glare and 'informed' me that there no such thing as a salad fork (...what?). After I argued with her and then finally just gave up and asked for a fork of ANY type, she came back and slammed four or five different forks on the table and walked away. For dessert, I wanted creme brulee (pretend the accents were there) but the only type I had ever eaten before (I was young!) was a banana creme brulee and I *hate* banana. So I asked her if the dessert was flavored or not. She again glared at me and told me there was only one type of creme brulee. Yet, despite all this and more, my dad still gave her a tip.

I think this might just be New York. Remember that America is a REALLY big, diverse country :) it's easier to say "east coasters always say this" or "in the south they have" than to say "In America" because even our laws depend on what region you're in at the time. Here in Greensburg Indiana the most I've ever seen a waitress do is complain to her fellow coworkers about their tip. Note that New England residents are notoriously bold, and in the MidWest, we have a sense of brotherhood almost in that it's simply expected to get a 20% tip and when you don't it's a surprise but not necessarily anger inducing. Something A LOT of people don't know, Americans included, is that servers at restaurants or anyone who relies on tips, really does rely on them. They make 2.14 USD an hour even though minimum wage is otherwise 7.25. But here, you really hear more about overly rude customers than you do servers. Also, I work as a cashier at walmart and the only time I have double bagged anyone's items is when they've explicitly told me to do so because they don't want milk ripping out of their bag as they carry up their steps in the apartment. otherwise, many items get left out of bags entirely! Anything that people can put in their purse, they will often choose to. And pop or toliet paper that doesn't fit well, "naaah. the last thing I need is more plastic bags around the house" I have never honked my horn in traffic. Ever. and the one time my parents did was when an elderly man fell asleep at the wheel in front of us. Again this is an age old thing we all tease the East coast about. They are always in a rush to get everywhere! In fact, because it's considered dangerous to drive in New York residents aren't permitted to get their license until they're 18 whereas in Arkansas children learn to drive at 14. New York is a state and not a nation. However, everywhere we say dude, yo, bro, like, uh, whatever, and yeah. X,D and we know it's not proper and we don't like it but we just do it anyway! You're really attractive by American standards if you haven't been told yet and you seem like a charming young gentlemen! ^-^

I was just accepted to AADA. Do you live in the academy apartments or separate ones? You said that you live close to Broadway.

In my vicinity there are two pay scales for servers. One3 is for those who receive tips as part bof their njob and the other for the others. The lower pay scale enables owners to minimize direct costs running their business. In some places the tip jar is under the counter, and the tips are poolede and shared.

I'm not into sports that much, but the commercials are like the best things EVER......dude

Okay, I work at a grocery store, and it is REQUIRED to bag certain things separately. For example, meat, chicken, cleaning products, produce would all be bagged separately. Only if the customer asks us to put everything in one bag is when we do.

Recycle extra bags you get... People always say don't waste a plastic tree I say first off trees are not plastic they are renewable and secondly if you don't just throw them away but find a use for them they are not just waste.

1:30 Not only do I not tip rude servers, I let their boss know. My brother-in-law is a restaurant manager and it is really really tough to make a profit in that field. If you have servers treating your costumers like shit, trust me the manager will want to know about it! If a server came out and told me I didn't tip enough, I'd tell them, "you know what I did screw up your tip. Why don't you give back what I gave you so I can calculate the tip you really should get. Oh, and bring your boss out so I can let him know all about it."

so here is an answer to your questions. 1.) ok so For tipping, the standard is usually 15% of your meal price. However, that varies on how good your service was. Better service means a larger tip, and bad service means a lower tip. with the story you told, had the waiter/waitress said that, i would have laughed in her face and told her she's not getting a tip now and also ask for the manager. What she did was wrong. I've given a tip of a few cents because the service was absolutely horrible. 2.) Double bagging is normally for heavier loads or or if the first bag tore because of a sharp corner, only time i've done more than a double bag and used 4 or 5 bags, is hiding birthday or christmas presents. i've even stuffed plastic bags into a bag to help hide the gift for a customer before. Is the store you go to usually have a demographic of elderly more than younger people. 3.) The honking that your experiencing is usually reserved to the larger cities that I've seen. I've visited chicago before and the honking was bad. same with pittsburgh. Usually honking occurs either to get someones attention or to say hello if you pass by someone that you know. 4.) Dude is just slang, that's all I can say about the word. I've said it myself a few times. its not really needed, but its mostly an attention getter. basically its the equivalent of hey you. other than that, i don't get it either. To me, the word awesome drives me absolutely bonkers if its constantly used. 5) Super Bowl, basically take the hype/craziness of Soccer the rest of the world does and put that into the super bowl for American Football. Add a half time show where anything can happen, which will most likely be a wardrobe malfunction, and you have the super bowl. I'm personally not a fan, other than the commercials. The product commercials are great and even though I don't drink beer, i always look forward to the Budweiser commercials or the Doritos commercials.

You can't judge an entire country based on one state (NY City). I'm from Southern California and even we think New Yorkers are rude! I think it's because people there are so tightly packed together, they get annoyed with one another easily. In California we were raised to say "dude" starting in grade school. I guess saying DUDE is similar to the British or Australian saying MATE to a friend.

Hey Ollie. I know I'm a year late but here goes... Tipping; many waitstaff get paid below the mandatory minimum wage and they really work for those tips. As far as being rude, many of them aren't happy, and I grant you that gets a bit awkward (right term?). The waitress coming back and insisting you tip more, that was uncalled for. Double bags; That's an old practice and it doesn't happen at a lot of places anymore. Many places have adopted shoppers bringing their own bags now, but once in a while you'll get the double baggers. Just ask not to double bag. Honking; New York has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation, but the thinking is the more you honk, the guy in front of you will move faster. Not a lot of merit behind this idea. Dude; a friendly term. Many will use the term "bro".You say you're "not a dude". EVERYONE is a "dude". That's the beauty of it. If somebody likes you, they call you dude. "Hey, he's a cool dude!". See? If you don't like it, just politely say "Hey, please don't call me dude, call me Ollie". Super Bowl; American football is the most popular sport in the U.S., and the Super Bowl has really become a national holiday. Every city that hosts it has a ton of events, and it brings in a lot of money. In 2014 it was the first time it was held in New York, so there was a ton of activity. Hope that helped, anymore questions feel free to ask. Cheers!

In 55 years I have NEVER had a waitress or waiter demand a bigger tip. A typical tip may be 15%, I usually do 20% (the math is easier). "Dude" is more like buddy or pal, it is used informally for a guy. It is not the "All The Young Dudes" type of dude, whatever that means. And yes, the Super Bowl is a mystery to me. Our football bores me nearly as much as your soccer.

Consider this: the federal government (No state income tax where I live) assumes they make a given percentage of bills rung up by their customers in tips. The employer is required to list that as income on behalf of the waiter or waitress. If you tip under that amount, they lose money. I will reward REALLY bad service with no tip. Anything from "adequate" on up I start at double the sales tax rate. Your average waitstaff's actual guaranteed wage come to something like $2.50 because it is assumed tips will bring them over minimum wage.

While in a restaurant (my teens picked) with the family a waitress screwed up our order and didn't bring part of the food. When we received the bill we were billed for food we ordered and didn't receive. I complained and the bill was corrected by the manager. I didn't tip the waitress. She followed me out the door and demanded a tip, to which I said; "we didn't receive the food we ordered, the food we did receive was semi cold, and we had to wait far too long for our order". I asked if her if she really deserved a tip? She stared at me like a dim bulb and was speechless. I shook my head and left. (I put myself through undergraduate school and graduate school waiting tables)

Yeah I'm american and bagging groceries is my job. and you are correct: if something has sharp corners, or is too heavy, I double bag it. The bags aren't very strong, and some even have holes in them before you put anything in them. but otherwise it's just one bag. But the four bags for five groceries...yeah that's head scratching. The only thing I can think of is TWO bags, and that's only if one bag has all the food, and the other has like bleach or soap or something toxic so that if the bottle leeks or the lid comes off by accident it doesn't get on the food.

There have been multiple occasions where a waitress/waiter had demanded a larger tip both directly and indirectly. I do consider myself to tip very well, but if I get ordinary service and I give $10 (which is my usual tip) I seriously don't appreciate being asked for more. ESPECIALLY since in most restaurants where I live, the tip is included in the bill! So I definitely understand where you're for coming from about the rude staff, although it also helps to keep in mind that its not the greatest job, nor is it the best paying, so it's common to run into bad customer service here in America.

I totally agree with you on the whole tipping thing! And yes, the honking thing is pretty much just known to be bad in New York City. And yes, we Americans are HUGE football people and Super Bowl Day is like a holiday where everyone gets together and parties.

Yes the waitress was rude but they live off of their tips. Congress established the base wage for tipped workers in 1966. The federal base wage has been frozen at $2.13 an hour since 1996; the $3.63 an hour is the Maryland base wage. Could you live off of a wage like that? The general rule is if the wait staff gives good service you tip 20% minimum of what you paid for your meal or drink.

(1) a lot of the time a waiters actual pay is deducted because the company expects them to make the 20% off the tips and don't actually pay them full minimum wage required. (2) not all of the U.S. does the double bags and wastes plastic, i come from Portland Oregon, which is a very green Eco-friendly area, so it more depends on the region.

I live in America and where I live the only time at the grocery store when people double bags is if we have heavy items . They usually only use 2 bags though .

I completely agree with you on your last 3 points, but have a couple questions/comments on your first 2 observations. Regarding tipping, in comparison with European restaurants most US restaurants are less expensive (relatively speaking) because in exchange for less expensive food the guest is expected to subsidize the server's wages with a tip in the 20-25% range. If you know this is the custom of the country you are in and refuse to do so you should probably patronize restaurants where tipping is not expected rather than insult your server by under-tipping (an indication of poor service) or depriving them of the ability to pay their rent. I also share your concern about the glut of plastic bags but do my part by using a reusable bag every time I go to the store; no more double-bagging and the bags are much sturdier.

where I live, tipping is about 15%. Tipping started out as a complement, like in Europe, but employers found away around minium wage laws by including tipping. Waiters/waitresses only get paid 3-5$ an hour, where minimum wage for other jobs is $7.25. Waiters\waitresses are expectes to make up the difference in tips. So it kinda became a part of the tax. You are techincally paying the restraunt and the waiter/waitress seperetly.

I'm from the state of Michigan, US and most people I've known tip $4-10 dollars for a meal with a group of 5 or less. It will depend on how good the meal and service are, as well as how many extra trips to get another item for you that you order other than the initial meal and drinks. These things along with more people can mean add some more to the tip if they are happy and polite. I don't know the average starting rate in New York but I bet it's higher because the cost of living there is ridiculous in my opinion. Most waitresses here are also required to give a certain amount of they're tip to the cook, the person who seats you (if they have one), and the Bar Tender if you order drinks they prepare. As for honking, people rarely honk in Michigan, Indiana, or Ohio. If their honking their's usually a very good reason and has something to do with getting someone to see something important. As for saying Dude. It is rarely used but was a fad caused occasionally by movies such as Dude Where's My Car. It's commonly used to imitate people who are really high, stupid, and surfers. Here if someone says to you "really dude" they are implying that you should rethink what you just said or did because it was so stupid it should be obvious. I can only speak of my experience with where I live though.

These things are not weird lol. I actually love this shit about my country man , especially in NYC everything is perfect. People stand up for themselves, the income of those waitresses is mostly from tips and they work their asses off so the least you could do is pay them probably. Honking well is doesn't bug me or most NewYorkers at all in fact in makes the city sound more alive. Dude , just don't even start about this like seriously you probably have weird nicknames or whatever you call people in your country like "mate" or something and if you don't then it's your loss because these words connect people and they sound pretty cool. As for the double bags , my family appreciates this cuz they come in handy all the time and we stack them up but if you don't , it doesn't take much to say that to the cashier. Lastly Super Bowl which is personally my favorite, not only is it so good for the economy but it also brings people together like do you know how many families come together to watch that stupid game and hilarious commercials while eating hot wings and a bunch of other junk. I hope this kind of clears it up for y'all , it might still seem odd to you guy but I guess that's because you aren't used to it. Don't take it the wrong way , we love you tourists!

you're like my new favourite channel here on youtube. :D really love your videos ! keep'em coming !

Love your list, since it is about 2 years since you posted this I hope you have had success in your schooling , thanks for sharing

First, let me just say your accent is very good. Now, onto the five things you mentioned. 1) What your waitress did is grounds for immediate termination in a restaurant. The standard is actually 15% in a restaurant, although it's acceptable to tip more or less depending on service. In bars, that standard is $1 per pint or $2 per cocktail. 2) Generally speaking baggers only do double bagging for things like milk or, as you said, really heavy things. About the whole environmental thing, most Americans aren't really concerned with that because they end up buried in land fills. It's pretty hard for whales to ingest plastic bags 2,000 miles inland. 3) The horns are just an NYC thing, they're pretty infamous for it. Also, it's not that they're aggressive drivers, it's just that they don't know how to drive. 4) American idiom. Dude used to be used to refer specifically for ranchers, but some time in the 90s it entered the common vernacular. Take it as a compliment. 5) Football is the most popular sport in America by far, in a lot of places it's considered God's sport. However, in your specific case it's because the Super Bowl was in NYC that year. It moves around every year and for a city to land the Super Bowl is a huge deal.

the thing with tipping is that it is where waiters make almost all of their salary. waiters in america can make as little as $2 an hour (well below minimum wage)

Yeah the tip is expected because restaurants are allowed to pay wait staff a mere two and a half bucks an hour. Different laws apply to wait staff and they don't have to receive the Federal minimum wage-- and in a lot of cases your waiter will pay income tax to the government for that "tip" whether you actually fork out or not.

Question, why dont you have a Swedish/ European accent at all? You sound like you were born and raised in Southern New Jersey.

1. *Tipping* is a courtesy and polite thing to do considering the person who is serving you receives very low income. But I do not blame you for not leaving someone a no tip because they gave you bad service the need to learn how to better conduct themselves. 2. *double Bags* they double bag sometimes because the items can be heavy and the things in the bag can pierce the bag or become to heavy and the bag will cave in and your items will be on the floor. =/ 3. *honking* People honk their horns to get your attention if you make a dangerous move, cut them off, move too slow, move too fast, or brake any kind of rule to driving people will get up set and honk you to let you know. Also the way traffic behaves do depends on the area not every state in America have the same attitudes when it comes to traffic. Usually you get harsh traffic when you live in a very populated urban city like area. The more the traffic there is likely the more problems. Oh yeah New York is chaos LOL when it comes to traffic you could have not chosen a better spot for getting trouble XD 4. *Dude* LOL the most played out and over used word in the *English Language* I even use that word. Relax most people will call you dude. Bro is another word that is used in place of dude people will call you dude or bro and rarely you might get called *Guy* or *hommie* do not take insult to being called any of these nicknames they do not mean to offend you. That's just how Americans talk to each other =o 5. *super Bowl* Never ever was an attraction a day in my life LOL that happen to be one of the things I could care less for but many, many, many people Just *LOVE THE SUPER BOWL* XD you telling me man... I am not a sports fan either LOL that stuff is boring to me. If anything Martial Arts and what not I love hand to hand combat sports but all the other's I could care less for XD

The double bagging thing doesn't happen everywhere. Where I live they only double bag if it's heavy or if the object will most likely tear the bag.

I am from New York and trust if you go farther in the U.S. like the midwest and stuff, you don't see people as rude, and tipping is still a regular thing, but not huge amounts like 20 or 25 percent, its more like 15 to 18

If you're in New York take a day trip to Boston. It's still a city, and I hate cities, but it's so cool. There are taverns and pubs everywhere, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Government Center, there are statues and street performers. You'll see and old building from colonial times, and modern buildings on the same street, there are really cool streets, and people are much nicer their than in New York. Well, at least in my opinion. C:

Super Bowl in the US is like the world cup in Europe. Dude is just a slang word for guy. Honking in traffic jams is a way to let off steam. The others are primarily New York specific. If you have canned items you don't want them squishing the bread.

I live in New York it is just to busy I live here all my life and I now how to go with the flow if you don't well your just going to be push around .

Here in Massachusetts and elsewhere, there is a minimum wage, BUT for people who are compensated by tips, there is a lower wage scale. That is why I make sure to tip according to the expected achedule. In a good establishment, it works well.

Regarding tipping servers: They don’t get paid, or they are paid next to nothing. They live on tips are and are taxed based on YOUR bill, assuming they got 10% minimum. So if you don’t tip your server you are actually charging them for waiting on you.

Jag var i New York en vecka förra året och jag håller med dig om det du säger, verkligen! Dessutom är plastpåsarna så himla små!

New York is the exception for a lot of things in America. The traffic is intense (scarily so) and the people are not very friendly (compared to the rest of the U.S.). The Superbowl is not something I particularly care for (not a fan of the sport) but the closest thing I can compare it to is the World Cup (if your country was in the finals EVERY YEAR). It has evolved into something like a national holiday and is basically an excuse to grill, drink, and spend time with friends. The "dude" thing you are referring to is, unfortunately, very widespread. Any state that was into the California-based TV shows of the 80s and 90s has probably picked up this and other surfer-related slang. You don't find much of it in the Midwest though; people there tend to look at you strange when you use it. Hope this helped!

Yes, tipping is assumed and used to be 10% when I was a kid but is now assumed at 18%-20%. But the service you get is factored in and it's based on decent service. On the few occasions I've received noticeably poor/rude service, I tip less or even nothing. If the server complains ( which has never happened to me) too damned bad. You are not forced to tip. It is purely voluntary. Of course, never blame the server if the food sucks, that's not their fault. I agree with you about double bagging. Having worked in NYC, horn honking is rampant but is much less outside NYC. Other major cities may honk a lot and NYC drivers are known to be aggressive. Don't let it bother you, dude.

Double bagging is to ensure your bag doesn't break. Because a gallon milk can be very heavy and break the bag.

Just a reminder- even though servers often SAY that they make $3 an hour plus tips- they actually make $7.25 an hour OR their wage + tips, whichever is higher. Tips just allow them to make over the minimum wage, and in some cases, will allow them to make significantly more money than non-tipped employees at the same restaurant. Of course, I understand that tips are still "necessary" as the federal minimum wage is fairly low- especially at New York City costs! But, $2-3 an hour or whatever is wrong- they'll still get at least $7.25. New York probably has a higher state minimum wage as well, but again, even that may be a bit low for NYC costs. IMHO, it's a broken system. It puts all of the service on a single server instead of making it a team effort, and the other staff often isn't given their fair share. Additionally, as a % of the service provided, it means that a steak is "worth" more than a salad in terms of tips- when it was no more effort to the server! All the extra effort was on the cook staff! And heck, servers often have to make the salad, so if anything the cheaper salad should be worth more tip to the server! It's just a broken system through and through.

I see so many hateful comments here but I just wanted to say that everyone feels offended when a foreigner talks about things they don't like or think are not good but I think we should try and learn from what "outsiders" who spend considerable amount of time have to say and try and improve things. He has some valid points especially about the rude servers and tips.

I'm American from the West Coast and have been to New York City, and the place felt foreign even to me. It seems chaotic and has so much competition in so many aspects that I can see why people are often rude or at least pressured for something. Not only that, but a good portion of the heavily populated areas of the East Coast even felt foreign to me, though not always in a negative way. It just goes to show that in the United States, culture varies. Where I live, I have rarely experienced the things you've discussed.

People honk their horns a lot more in New York City than in other parts of the country. The rest of us even make jokes about it; we think it's too much too.

your experience with the honking is definitely unique to NY. Alot of big city traffic is that way but for example where Im from in Alabama Its not that common.

There's no such thing as a dude guy. You don't have to be a surfer or anything. I say it to all of my friends all of the time and I live know where near the ocean, so...

The bagger part depends on the worker, it's not something that they all do here. When I use to be a cashier, I never used an unnecessary amount of extra bags. Some workers do their job well, some dont.

You should make videos more often!! They're really good and you make me laugh so much :)

the reason for being rude to europeans when working for tips is, and this is not fair but it is what it is, why go above and beyond when you know the customer is not going to tip. i drive taxis sometimes to make some extra money and when i get a customer with a european accent i brush them off. so much of the income is from the tip that is sometimes you are better to loosing the customer then work for nothing.

my bf is from Sweden and he was so confused when we travelled to the States (I'm Canadian) with tips and just general things I see as fairly ordinary lol so I completely relate to what you've said

In California, the entire view of plastic bag use is quickly changing for the better in my opinion. It is the first state in the nation to ban plastic bag use in grocery stores. I lived in Chicago for the past two years before coming back to CA, and it was slated to be one of first major U.S. cities with the same ban in place. Chicagoans were mainly confused, and some frustrated, about the policy. But with the growth of more alternative grocers, such as Trader Joe's, Sprouts, and Whole Foods, patrons are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags and they bring that same attitude to major supermarkets. I look forward to the day I can tell my children of the times where plastic bags - which once littered parks, streets, rivers, and oceans - are no more.

Tip/the rude server in your example: She *should never* have said what she said the way she said it. Period. *However*... an important thing to keep in mind is that servers in the US are tracked and *taxed* *themselves* by their registered sales... not usually at the higher customary rate (depending on area/state, 15-20%), but still at a rate close to that (10-14%, again depending on the area/establishment). If the server is tipped less than the customary rate for where he is, *he* is still responsible, tax-wise, for the income value of that tip. Many people who haven't worked in the service industry don't realize this, but it's true. So while the server in question was certainly rude about it, she was likely correct at least in terms of socio-economics -- if you were in NY, with a state sales tax of about 10%, you *should* be tipping 20% on your bill. In the US, tipping is socially much more "mandatory" than in many other countries, but that is also due to very real economic reasons as well. (In America, the old saying is true: if you can't afford to tip, then you can't afford to eat out....) Double-bagging: yeah... that can get out of hand. Dude: in many parts of the US (particularly here in Baltimore, Maryland, and much of California, for example), "dude" is essentially a unisex term/placeholder -- plenty of girls refer to each other as "dude", and here in Baltimore it can go even a step further: in many parts of the city/state, "hon/hun" (a *very* Baltimore/Maryland term of address), "babe" (but *never* "baby" -- go figure) and "dude" are interchangeable and again used regardless of the genders involved. (Example: a buddy comes over while we're watching the game -- The SuperBowl, ;) -- and happens to come in through the kitchen door... I would go "Hey, babe... Dude -- could you grab us some more beers while you're in there? --Thanks, hon..."... and that would be considered completely normal in many places.) Yes, "dude" is a *real thing*; just like Brits often use the term "mate", we use "dude". Welcome to 'Murica... dude.... Hope that helps clear some things up!

Have you gone anywhere in the U.S.besides New York? Different cities, different states, different regions, all have different personalities. You may find you like other places a little better. This list sounds more like a "Five things I don't get about New York," in other words. You could branch out and get a lot more material. It's a huge country. :)

People bagging your groceries for you is a matter of convenience in the states. I agree that you do not need to double up plastic bags. In some cities now, there is a bag tax for using plastic grocery bags. Honking can be a problem regardless of what city you are in, in the US. Although it can be much worse in larger, more compact cities like New York, DC, or Miami. People are constantly in a rush to get where they need to go. There is just no getting around it.

Unfortunately, through no fault of the actual workers, America has a really shitty system for tipped employees. They actually make a different wage than minimum wage. For example, here in Virginia, USA, minimum wage is $7.25; however, most waiters and waitresses only make $2.13 an hour securely, because the assumption is that they'll make the rest of their money in tips. So when you don't tip a waiter or waitress, you're essentially taking away from their living wage. The two biggest problems I see that may e addressed is: A. No, waiters and waitresses shouldn't pretend to be happier than anyone else to earn their money. People in retail stores (obviously not all) can be extremely rude and inconsiderate, but never would they have their pay deducted for it because they are protected by the law. They may get fired, of course, but not have their paycheck cut. Also be considerate to your fellow human beings. Sure a waiter or waitress may have been rude or inconsiderate, but we all have shit days and don't perform our best 24/7 because we're human beings. If a person is out right disrespecting or insulting you, that's another issue entirely; but an attitude can always be shaken off. B. It's entirely and unfairly ridiculous to expect the public to have to make up a salary for a worker rather than the company that employs them. That's down right fucking shit, and the system literally only benefits the company paying them $2.13 an hour. So I know it's not fair at all, but unfortunately that is how the tipping system in America works. AT LEAST it is where I live. So please please please tip your waiters and waitresses!!!!

Many of the things you mentioned are not American habits but probably state habits. The tip issue would be considered rude in Colorado as well. I've never heard of tipping 20 percent, it's usually 7-10. No one honks in Colorado unless they are saying hello or goodbye (or they're from out of state lol). So look online for the, "you know you're from [some state] when ..." meme, and you'll find that each state can bring culture shock to other Americans too.

Hmm, most of what I hear from foreigners is that America is a rather polite and friendly place (I live in Georgia, and southern hospitality is BIG). However, you were in NYC, so that explains it. I've never been up there, but it's stereotypically pretty much the rudest place in America. Cars honking, people swearing and generally being assholes. It's funny, whenever we go down to a large amusement park like Universal Studios we can always tell who the New Yorkers are because they tend to be the loudest and most obnoxious. And I don't understand why people honk so much in traffic either, I've only honked when someone's doing something clearly stupid and/or dangerous. As for tipping, it's so high because waiters literally depend on it for their income. Because they get tips, waiters get paid far less than the minimum wage (think $2.50 an hour). It doesn't excuse chasing down and confronting a customer, but it's oftentimes the only way they make their money.

oh my god. That story about the server in NYC was OUTRAGEOUS. Bear in mind, I say that AS a waitress who lives on tips. I'm of the opinion (and many do not share this view) that you should always tip 10% regardless of service purely because they did serve you. The reason I say this is because servers make $2.13 an hour (at least in my home state of GA, it's different in every state, but almost all of them pay servers significantly less than minimum wage, which is already unlivable), and the restaurant passes the cost of paying their servers onto the guests. If you received service, you are obligated to pay for it because it's not a cost that is included in the price of your meal. However, no server is entitled to a 20% tip. There is a certain level of skill to the job, and it is up to you to make your tables happy and take care of them. That extra 10% is a bonus for not being shit at your job. If you are shit at your job, or pull something like the waitress in Olle's story, you do not deserve that bonus, and I have no sympathy for you. Don't sit there and bitch about customers not tipping you because it's not their fault you're rude. /rant

In San Francisco, bags cost extra. So we have to bring our own reusable bags (totes), carry out purchases with no bag at all, or pay more money for bags at the checkout counter. I pay no attention to the Super Bowl and you shouldn't have to if you don't want to. I'd rather watch the Academy Awards. Waitpersons have to pay income tax on their tips and the IRS computes it as a percentage whether or not they receive the tip. So if a waitperson gets stiffed on the tip or doesn't get enough of a tip, they still have to pay income tax as if they did get the full tip amount.

I'm from/living in Cali. Tipping, we do 10~15% usually, sometimes more depending on the type of restaurant or the service. Never had anyone chase me for not leaving a tip but the only type of person I wouldn't tip is a rude person. So.. wouldn't be surprising if a rude person got mad for not getting tipped. (Also, even if you didn't have the exact amount for tipping, it is common to leave what you can) Honking - Rarely hear that here, used to live in so cal (bad traffic near/in LA) but even still, for the most part it's pretty chill. I hear horns so rarely that it actually startles me if I do hear one. Dude - Everyone is a dude. Doesn't matter if you're a man or woman or what ever. Only women are chicks though. All states for sure aren't the same but as Americans we do have some similarities.

I've lived in America my whole life and I found this quite funny. I cannot believe that a waitress would come back and ask for a bigger tip! Usually, waiters expect a larger tip in the US because that is what they make their money off of. The subtotal is the cost for the food and tip is for the service basically.

Most of what you refer to may be common in New York City but rare elsewhere. Unfortunately, it seems to be common for visitors to America to spend most of their time in New York or Washington and decide that they represent America and American behavior. They do not.

1. Tipping started as a way to give something extra, but the greedy business owners figured they'd pay their people less and make the customer pay instead. 2. Double bagging is a bad habit. 3. Honking makes you feel better...driving in New York is stressful! 4. Dude=Mate in Australia 5. Super Bowl Sunday is an American holiday.

Were they rude to you before or after you left the shitty tip? Remember that in Europe the servers earn more and you pay for it in the price of your meal. HERE the servers get paid just enough to cover taxes and they live on what they are tipped which everyone should know is from 15-18%. On a very rare occasion I left 10% if I was extremely pissed off by the lack of service and would have welcomed the opportunity to rip into the server if they had the balls to follow me outside.

I'm a life-long New Yorker and I agree with your 5 points, except I have explain that people in jobs that have tipping will be taxed by the government. The government assumes that they're getting at least 15% in earnings so they get taxed for those assumed earnings. So if you don't tip them or under tip them, the workers are the ones who will lose money. It's a terrible situation, I agree, but that's situations that workers got themselves into. It's no excuse for them to be rude but you gotta understand.

lol nah double bagging is a really big thing in new York lol but I haven't seen it since I moved to the south. but bags are flimsy and you generally CARRY your bags farther in the city then in the suburbs

Dude is simply a slang term that is used, I am sure there are plenty of slang terms in every country/area that sound silly, but it is part of the culture even if it no longer means what it used to mean. For example, a dude used to be a cowboy/rancher, now it is simply a term used like sir, ma'am, hey you, etc to get someone's attention or talk about someone without using names, it applies to men or women, but it often more masculine in nature.

about the plastic bags here in America... you can take them to your local store and put them in the recycle bin if you don't recycle at home.

A lot of that doesn't really happen where I live :/..... Maybe it's just in the city you visited.... Oddest thing in the video was double bagging

The rest of America doesn't get that about New York and tipping either. If a waitperson is rude to me, he/she shouldn't expect a big tip.

Restaurants in America typically pay their wait staff below minimum wage; so we are expected to tip but unfortunately they expect us to tip even when the service is bad (and the bold one's will chase you down). If the service/food were bad I will generally tip crappy; be nicer to me next time and you'll get a bigger tip. Just remember if you don't tip well the first time then either make sure you don't get the same server the next time or don't go back to that establishment for you will get crappy service and or something you may not want in your food (I won't say what but it's not appropriate). Restaurants in America are not the only place you're expected to tip either. Hair dresser, spa's I could go on with more. Plastic bags; I take my own reusable canvas bags so I don't have the dreaded plastic. If they double bag it in the plastic it's probably because those plastic bags are so cheap that no matter how much or little are in the bags; they are going to break on you on your way home. Honking... I think some people just don't have the common sense to get their lazy butt up and ready early enough to get to where ever they are going so it's EVERYONE else's fault they are too lazy to get motivated earlier. Some people just run late for everything. I can understand the meeting ran over and your kids are on the other end of town; or they got held up by a train or a bridge (here in Michigan we have bridges you have to wait for barges to pass so the bridges are up and it can be a pain just like waiting on for a train). Those things I can understand; but for the most part; it's laziness so they honk like it's going to get things rolling. Chill people... chill... I hate DUDE. I am NOT a dude, do not call me dude. I had an ex-boyfriend who called me DUDE. What the hell? Did you forget my friggen' name? Makes people sound unintelligent. Superbowl... what's not to love about that!? You have to be an American football fan to understand it. Tailgating, parties, commercials, half time event, friends, family, food and beer oh my!!! :) It's just crazy fun! Doesn't matter if you like the two teams playing each other or one of them is your favorite; it's pure simple fun! Thanksgiving here is another big football day as well. Not like Superbowl Sunday but it's another fun day. :)

Olle I am coming to this video late, and I hope since you have made this you have done some traveling America is huge and diverse. I live in Alaska and honking is considered incredibly rude unless it is an emergency, many places don't allow plastic bags at all, and I have never seen the Super Bowl. I hope you enjoy your time in our great land .

Come down south. Youll love it. The view is beautiful. People are nicer and the weather is nice and warm

Tip from an American: You don't have to tip if they're rude. If they are aggressive about you not tipping "enough," just explain to them that they were rude and that that is why you chose not to tip them, and maybe add that you would be happy to talk to their manager about their service if it is really an issue.

I have to agree with some comments about how NYC and other USA states are different, you really need to travel around the USA to see what this country is really about, When people think of the USA they just think about NYC, and unfortunately you don't know the diversity in this country.

i'm an american but from a small town and it's ok in smaller towns people aren't so rude with tipping they're happy to get a tip especially if your a student my friend and I tip anyone in service but typically 2 to 5 depending on the service more if we have it. XD typically people feel guilty and tip more though so they're used to getting more.... for the honking, no in low traffic places no one honks like that unless you don't pay attention to a traffic signal and don't go XD also with the bags they're really only supposed to double if you buy sharp or heavy things so they don't fall out also if it makes you feel any better I don't get the superbowl either cause i'm not a sports fan

I live in Wichita Kansas and it is a differnt world compared to New York. Wichta has a little over 350,000 people here. There are some rude people here but for the most part people are kind. In some smaller towns in Kansas they are so nice it's almost creepy, people give a frindly wave to anyone they see.

As far as tips go, in America it is considered an insult to not tip people enough. However if a waitress came back and said that to me I wouldn't have given her any tip. In some places a waitress only earns what people tip her. So when that's your whole wage, it's understandable to be angry, but they're not supposed to bring it up. That's worse than not tipping at all. Now some places even include the tip as part of your meal, so if you tip them too, you might be tipping twice. Thus you have to read your receipt carefully.

Compared to many other countries, We as Americans do tend to honk a bit more than others, but New York City is NOTORIOUS for aggressive driving, because the population is so dense. In most other cities, there isn't nearly as much honking.

I would probably say that having a rude waiter or waitress is more common in New York. Probably more so than the rest of the states. Especially them bringing up their tip amount to you. That's definitely a New York thing. You almost never hear about that happening else where unless you just happen to get a rude server. Also the honking the horn, and being an aggressive driver kind of goes with the New York territory more than other states. There are certainly some aggressive drivers else where, but it's more prominent in big cities, such as New York, or St. Louis.