OrangeDragon wrote: perhaps its one of the many fun UK activities in which they try to downplay america by making exceptional and rare cases appear as though they're the norm.

Links? I can't remember America being downplayed in the UK. I think you are definitely paranoid, as you described me, who is pro USA, as being biased against it, for no reason, other than fair comment on the heavy handedness of LVP.

OrangeDragon wrote: Again, take a shitty vegas taxi one time. 2 hours later when you get to your hotel 15 minutes away because the guy got lost (and the meter was still running) you'll likely change your tune. Never had it that bad... but I have had a guy pull a khmer tuktuk act and claim to know where I wanted to go (and i didn't know how to get there either) and take us about 20 minutes past the place, then have to turn around. never had a bad experience from a valet cab; in part because you tell THEM where you're going and THEY tell the cabbie and if he doesn't know how to get there, they'll explain it or send him on and find one that does. That's not a scam, it's a service.

So the licenced taxis don't need to sit a street knowledge test? Surely tourists are mainly going to widely known tourist attractions? Can't be many going to quiet side streets on the outskirts of town. The drivers should know the main attractions and casino's.
And are you saying that "wavers" , have all taxi drivers memorised and ban some from sitting outside their hotel in the line just far enough to get waved? Surely there's a better way, like making them sit a knowledge test? It sounds like a scam to me, and I'm amazed that one of the biggest tourist attraction cities in the world doesn't test taxi drivers and relies on a "waver", who naïve people would think is on the side of one time visiting strangers, than taxi drivers he sees 365 days a year.
So what's to stop a taxi driver saying he knows where you are going to the "waver" , then going via Mexico? !!! . This debate is farcical. Whether people get decked, tasered, scammed or whatever, you are going to defend it and blame an imaginary anti American bias that you think is a UK activity. Very strange.

UKJ wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote: perhaps its one of the many fun UK activities in which they try to downplay america by making exceptional and rare cases appear as though they're the norm.

Links? I can't remember America being downplayed in the UK. I think you are definitely paranoid, as you described me, who is pro USA, as being biased against it, for no reason, other than fair comment on the heavy handedness of LVP.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... m&safe=off

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ff&spell=1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... tions.html

UKJ wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote: Again, take a shitty vegas taxi one time. 2 hours later when you get to your hotel 15 minutes away because the guy got lost (and the meter was still running) you'll likely change your tune. Never had it that bad... but I have had a guy pull a khmer tuktuk act and claim to know where I wanted to go (and i didn't know how to get there either) and take us about 20 minutes past the place, then have to turn around. never had a bad experience from a valet cab; in part because you tell THEM where you're going and THEY tell the cabbie and if he doesn't know how to get there, they'll explain it or send him on and find one that does. That's not a scam, it's a service.

So the licenced taxis don't need to sit a street knowledge test? Surely tourists are mainly going to widely known tourist attractions? Can't be many going to quiet side streets on the outskirts of town. The drivers should know the main attractions and casino's.
And are you saying that "wavers" , have all taxi drivers memorised and ban some from sitting outside their hotel in the line just far enough to get waved? Surely there's a better way, like making them sit a knowledge test? It sounds like a scam to me, and I'm amazed that one of the biggest tourist attraction cities in the world doesn't test taxi drivers and relies on a "waver", who naïve people would think is on the side of one time visiting strangers, than taxi drivers he sees 365 days a year.
So what's to stop a taxi driver saying he knows where you are going to the "waver" , then going via Mexico? !!! . This debate is farcical. Whether people get decked, tasered, scammed or whatever, you are going to defend it and blame an imaginary anti American bias that you think is a UK activity. Very strange.

No, but they generally have a group they "lead" fares to more than others... and that's going to make the others fuckoff and go elsewhere when they get no fares. And no, there's no "street test"... and yes, vegas is a HUGE city with literally thousands of different "attractions" spread out all over town... which is big... and then some in the suburb areas... which are even bigger. Do you think vegas is just the strip or something? It's about half the size of london, and packed full of businesses and attractions that are changing constantly (one closes, new one opens, etc). Even if you did give them a test, it would be irrelevant in a few weeks to anything but the major stuff... which everyone knows where is. You ask for anything off the beaten path (of which there is a TON, and which is all of the better stuff really) and it could well be a crap shoot (and not the fun ones). Even north vegas, despite it's dangers, has some pretty cool spots to check out if. Usually a tourist will hear about them from a local he buddied up with, but will have no clue where they are. A good cabbie will let you know he doesn't have a clue, and will call for assistance. A shitty one will drive around guessing and running up your meter. Especially if he's an independent.

But I love how you're telling a guy who lived there "how it is" based on some guidebooks, a tv show meant to be entertainment, and a tripadvisor link. Keep forming your opinions of the world off of those.

Think of the valet as a sort of short term contact concierge... if you've ever used a concierge.

* scrolls through UKJ's and OD's posts * * mouth agape *

Okay, just sharing my tips policy about who I give tips to, how much, and why:

- the parking guys at Brown's on St. 294, KHR1500-2000 per person (sometimes KHR10,000 on major holidays), because they go an extra mile to find a spot for me, say hello with a big smile, help my son off the car, wish me a nice and safe day when I leave, and recognize my car when I pass by.
- the uncle on the side of National Road 1 near my house who inflate tires, add KHR1,000-2;000 to the KHR3,000 he asks for 4 tires, because he's polite, tells us exactly what pressure for the tire, and wish us a safe car trip.
- the young lady who gives me a shampoo at Lucky Salon, KHR2,000, because my hair and scalp will remain clean and fresh for at least 3 days.
- the hairdresser who blows dry and curls my hair at Lucky Salon, KHR3,000 because he/she makes me look fab for at least 2 days

To me usually, it's more of a way to redistribute income to people who I think are worthy of the extra help.

Joon wrote:* scrolls through UKJ's and OD's posts * * mouth agape *

A little surprised, too. Sore ovaries?

This tipping lark sounds like an American religion after reading all this.

Quite happy for it to stay there to be honest, but I will continue to tip certain folk here.

OrangeDragon wrote:

UKJ wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote: perhaps its one of the many fun UK activities in which they try to downplay america by making exceptional and rare cases appear as though they're the norm.

Links? I can't remember America being downplayed in the UK. I think you are definitely paranoid, as you described me, who is pro USA, as being biased against it, for no reason, other than fair comment on the heavy handedness of LVP.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... m&safe=off

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ff&spell=1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... tions.html
.

There's a lot on the internet regarding American anti British sentiment. I don't automatically assume every American I meet or talk to online is anti British though, or if you can't understand an aspect of our culture, then you are biased against us. That's paranoid thinking.
You just have to look at the numbers of Brits holidaying and buying property in America, and our take up of so much American culture, to see the majority like America and most of it's culture.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... t&safe=off

OrangeDragon wrote:. Do you think vegas is just the strip or something? It's about half the size of london, .
.

Classic. I rest my case
London taxi drivers sit " the knowledge" that typically takes up to two years to learn. It sounds like Vegas taxis aren't fit for purpose .
Having to pay two tips, just to use a taxi is madness. Obviously cultural brainwashing has blinded you to it.

Although admittedly most Americans believe Britain is near St.Louis though, right? Just next to Australia.

StroppyChops wrote:Although admittedly most Americans believe Britain is near St.Louis though, right? Just next to Australia.

You can't criticize any American whatsoever on this thread, no matter what they do. Just keep stuffing dollars in their hand, and take the abuse and tasering !

Brits anti yanqui? I'm a Brit and I love yanquis, almost in a positive discrimination kind of way. They are like my dear cousin who goes to the special school.

Maybe there was a bit of resentment around after WW2 because they had more money, better teeth and shagged all our women, but I think all that has all gone now.