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Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants, Los Angeles
See all Los Angeles Local Customs
Dollarnotes. - Los Angeles
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Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Costs
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  • If you want a more substantial hot meal, lunch is usually cheaper than dinner. Chinese and Thai restaurants are among those offering special set lunches for $7 or less. Dinners too can be affordable - even at fancy restaurants - if you stick to one main course and a single non-alcoholic beverage. Restaurants are notorious for huge markups on beer, wine and even bottled water. If you're concerned about money, stick with LA tap water; it's perfectly safe to drink. If you want alcohol, order beer or wine by the glass and avoid expensive cocktails. Remember that your final bill will swell thanks to sales tax (8%) and a tip (15%); valet parking can also add another $2.50 to $5 to your total. Thus, a moderately priced $35 dinner for two (food only) will actually run you about $50.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Tipping
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  • Tipping in restaurants (not fast food) is generally 15-20% of the bill. In most cases you can add the tip to your credit card total. Also, generally, if the bill is placed on your table by itself you must take it to the register to pay. If the bill is on a small tray or in a folder, simply place the cash or credit card into the tray or folder and wait for your server to pick it up. When paying by cash, some servers may ask, "Do you need change?" This question simply asks if the entire change amount is the tip, or if you wish to leave a separate tip. Saying "yes" does not imply you are cheap since you may even wish to leave more tip than the amount of change you are getting back.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Dining Etiquette
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  • Dining out in LA tends toward the casual, although you should still dress appropriately. That definitely means shoes and shirt; a jacket is appropriate for men at some upscale restaurants. When you arrive at a restaurant, it's customary to wait by the entrance until the host seats you; only in very casual places may you choose a table yourself. Classic dinner time is 8pm. Smoking inside restaurants and bars is prohibited by state law, although outdoor areas are usually exempt.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: The Grading of Restaurants
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  • the
    the "A" restaurant
    symbol, Los Angeles
    by marinarena
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    When you are in Los Angeles, either in the city of L.A. or in another part of the county, you'll see several restuarants. On the window of establishments, you will see a letter- either an "A", "B" or "C". These letters go accordingly to the quality of food preparation and overall kitchen standards of any place that regularly handles and serves food. As one would imagine, an "A" is a superior quality, "B' is for the most part acceptable and "C', is , well, below average and simply, unsatisfactory. Most often, you will see "A" or "B" but there are quite a number of "C" on some windows. The letter system of grading restaurants is meant to be a guide for restaurant guests. Take it for what it is. The guide is not 100% fool proof. The testing for the grades can be seen as questionable at times, if not more. Still, in the long run, I think that most food inspectors are doing their jobs and grade correctly to the best of their abilities! In contrast, Orange county does not participate in the letter system. Expect more restaurant tips for L.A. There are great dining spots here, especially downtown, in the Westside, Pasadena, Santa Monica and in the Valley. Oh I just need to go to more and do the work to make reviews!

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Expect your plate to be taken from you
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  • ...when you're done eating in a restaurant. Being to NY and LA in one week, I experienced this in both cities. I consider it to be rude, but as it happenend in "fancy" restaurants as well, I guessed it's just a local / national custom. Tip: when you're having dinner with someone, and you're done, leave something on your plate so that the won't take it away, or at least ask you before they do.


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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Refills
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  • When you go out to a resturant here and order a soda you get refills for free. So you can basically drink as much soda as you wish for the price of one.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Tipping
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  • Throughout America tipping is more or less compulsory. In restaurants waiters expect around 15 to 20 percent as do taxi drivers and hairdressers, while porters and bellboys anticipate around one or two US dollars per piece of luggage.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Of course you have to tip at...
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  • Of course you have to tip at restaurant. The waiter's have to pay for their headshots, don't they?? If it's not enough, they'll let you know. Believe me. Also, don't ask anybody where the stars are. They'll think you're talking about them.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Tax is not including in the price!
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  • Everywhere you go and shop something you have to pay 8.5% more in tax. The tax does not include in the price. So don't be suprised that you have to pay more in the counter.

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    Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants: Smokers and Europeans: - As...
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  • Smokers and Europeans: - As smoking indoor in restaurants is not allowed, find yourself a place on the terras. Being polite as a smoker and paying attention to the rules is highly appreciated by the Californians. - Europeans, beware: when in a bar, restaurant or alike, it is forbidden to take beer or other alcoholic beverages outside. When holding an opened alcoholic drink, you must remain on the premises of the bar in which you are.

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