Saturday, November 29, 2003
Dear Ethylene,
I know you can help us with this one. Last month my wife Millie and I left our home in Loofah, TX for a trip to the Big Apple (New York City). We landed at the airport and a nice young man -- I thought he was Mexican but he turned out to be something else, I forget what -- steered us to the less expensive, unmarked taxis. He took us into Manhattan for only $50, which we understand is a substantial savings. Anywho, my wife says that I undertipped Sanjiv -- the driver's name. She says that since he was so kind to us, I should have tipped him 20 percent, but I say that 10 percent is standard for taxi rides. Who's right?
American Traveler
Dear Traveler,
I remember my first trip to the big city. I was just 17 and part of a traveling song and dance revue called 'Up With Farmers,' a short-lived Farm Aid spinoff production. My first trip to New York was similarly exciting, and sometimes painfully educational.
One of the things I learned on that trip was not to take taxis. The reason is that many taxi drivers will take advantage of out of towners. You were wise to take one of the unmarked cabs, and this Sanjiv sounds like a lovely fellow. A 15 percent tip would have been appropriate, but live and learn!
I hope you enjoyed "noshing" on "corned beef" at all the New York "Jewish delis." Those people get a bad rap, in my opinion, but they certainly do use every part of the cow! As a Kansas girl, I respect that!
Bon viaje!
Ethylene
I know you can help us with this one. Last month my wife Millie and I left our home in Loofah, TX for a trip to the Big Apple (New York City). We landed at the airport and a nice young man -- I thought he was Mexican but he turned out to be something else, I forget what -- steered us to the less expensive, unmarked taxis. He took us into Manhattan for only $50, which we understand is a substantial savings. Anywho, my wife says that I undertipped Sanjiv -- the driver's name. She says that since he was so kind to us, I should have tipped him 20 percent, but I say that 10 percent is standard for taxi rides. Who's right?
American Traveler
Dear Traveler,
I remember my first trip to the big city. I was just 17 and part of a traveling song and dance revue called 'Up With Farmers,' a short-lived Farm Aid spinoff production. My first trip to New York was similarly exciting, and sometimes painfully educational.
One of the things I learned on that trip was not to take taxis. The reason is that many taxi drivers will take advantage of out of towners. You were wise to take one of the unmarked cabs, and this Sanjiv sounds like a lovely fellow. A 15 percent tip would have been appropriate, but live and learn!
I hope you enjoyed "noshing" on "corned beef" at all the New York "Jewish delis." Those people get a bad rap, in my opinion, but they certainly do use every part of the cow! As a Kansas girl, I respect that!
Bon viaje!
Ethylene
Friday, November 28, 2003
Dear Ethylene,
Please settle an argument. I’m setting up the house for a formal dinner party. My husband says we should have magazines in the bathroom. He says it’s polite, like when the doctor puts them in his office waiting room. I say it’s gross, because our guests will think that we think they’re constipated. Who’s right?
Avid Reader
Dear Avid,
The preferred choice is not to have reading material in the rest room. After all, parties are for socializing, am I true? However, if you are going to keep reading material in the loo, follow a few simple rules.
First, keep the reading material in an attractive magazine cozy, preferably something in either wicker or gingham.
Second, don’t stack the cozy with anything too interesting. You want your guests to prefer the party to the potty. Stay away from ‘People’ or ‘Time,’ and definitely no porn. Instead, I suggest something like ‘Scientific American’ or ‘Sniglets.’ If either captures a guest’s fascination for more than a minute or two, then the absence of that guest will do no harm to your party.
Finally, don’t stock the bathroom with any reading material you will want back. In fact, it is a good idea to dispose of whatever is left once the last party guest has departed. Trust me on this one.
Bon fiesta!
Ethylene
Please settle an argument. I’m setting up the house for a formal dinner party. My husband says we should have magazines in the bathroom. He says it’s polite, like when the doctor puts them in his office waiting room. I say it’s gross, because our guests will think that we think they’re constipated. Who’s right?
Avid Reader
Dear Avid,
The preferred choice is not to have reading material in the rest room. After all, parties are for socializing, am I true? However, if you are going to keep reading material in the loo, follow a few simple rules.
First, keep the reading material in an attractive magazine cozy, preferably something in either wicker or gingham.
Second, don’t stack the cozy with anything too interesting. You want your guests to prefer the party to the potty. Stay away from ‘People’ or ‘Time,’ and definitely no porn. Instead, I suggest something like ‘Scientific American’ or ‘Sniglets.’ If either captures a guest’s fascination for more than a minute or two, then the absence of that guest will do no harm to your party.
Finally, don’t stock the bathroom with any reading material you will want back. In fact, it is a good idea to dispose of whatever is left once the last party guest has departed. Trust me on this one.
Bon fiesta!
Ethylene
