OT:Tipping

[Nick Odell]

Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]

The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

Thanks.

Nick
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

[krw]

Post by Nick Odell
I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

yes, because apart from a bit of the state operated (but not
nationalised) LNER fares have not yet been simplified.

Booking early for an advance ticket is the solution.

Abroad we would tip appointed guide and driver. Abroad guides tend to
indicate an amount and they then tip everyone else.

Not sure what rules apply in Scotland but would probably tip guide and
driver.

[Penny]

On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:57:38 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

I believe tipping the driver(s) is customary - usually as a group effort
from all passengers - but I've only done day-trips.

Post by Nick Odell
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

I'm not sure but understand some stations are still staffed by experts at
figuring out the most economical fares and it's worth asking around, not
just at the station itself but locally. This is one thing social media is
very useful for.

[Peter Percival]

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much?

Wiwal some enterprising fellow passenger would collect tips and present
the lot to the driver. I cannot remember how much, and even if I could
the info. would be well out of date. But if that happens, you could ask
the e.f.p. what an appropriate sum is.

Post by Nick Odell
I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer.

If they are you should do your utmost to be insulted by their
insultedness. I give my barber one quid, which has no relevance at all...

Post by Nick Odell
I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

The travel agent or coach company will will tell you where the coach
departs from.

Post by Nick Odell
Thanks.
Nick
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

[krw]

Post by Peter Percival
If they are you should do your utmost to be insulted by their
insultedness.  I give my barber one quid, which has no relevance at all...

I round the barber charge up to £10. Or at least I did until they
decided that they were going to charge £10 (which struck me as
expensive). As the last visit was pre-Xmas I gave then £20 and
suggested that could share a drink on me.

I don't have much hair these days anyway.

[Vicky Ayech]

Post by krw

Post by Peter Percival
If they are you should do your utmost to be insulted by their
insultedness.  I give my barber one quid, which has no relevance at all...

I round the barber charge up to £10. Or at least I did until they
decided that they were going to charge £10 (which struck me as
expensive). As the last visit was pre-Xmas I gave then £20 and
suggested that could share a drink on me.
I don't have much hair these days anyway.

Not does smaller grandson now. Mum took him to the hairdresser for the
second time a couple of weeks ago. This is a child-friendly one where
child sits in a large pink car (haircutting chair) and grandson loves
cars. First time the hairdresser hardly took any off and it costs
fifteen quid. So this time she said cut more off but the hairdresser
over-reacted. She is not going back as too expensive.

[Nick Odell]

On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:57:38 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

Nick

[Nick Odell]

On Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:04:40 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Penny
On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:57:38 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

We appear to have solved the tipping dilemma in a different way:
Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.

So bad luck, umrats: I'll still be posting here next week!

[Serena Blanchflower]

Post by Nick Odell
On Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:04:40 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Penny
On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:57:38 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.
So bad luck, umrats: I'll still be posting here next week!

Ouch! I hope her wrist heals quickly and without too much pain.

[Vicky Ayech]

On Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:15:18 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
On Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:04:40 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.
So bad luck, umrats: I'll still be posting here next week!

I hope she is managing to keep comfortable and htings are not too
awkward. Dressing etc was difficult when I broke my arm. Get well
soon, Liliana.

[Chris McMillan]

Post by Nick Odell
On Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:04:40 +0000, Nick Odell

Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

Post by Nick Odell
Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.
So bad luck, umrats: I'll still be posting here next week!

Oh my goodness, Liliana!! Get well soon!! You’ll be glad to leave this
soaked land!!

Sincerely Chris

[Penny]

On Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:15:18 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.

Ouch!
Hope it heals quickly and isn't causing too many problems while it does.
You never appreciate how many things become awkward when you have only one
fully functional arm/hand until it happens - just washing your hands can be
difficult. There's a one-armed woman in my art class who makes great use of
wet-wipes (I'm amazed she can open the packet) and a mechanic friend of
Ray's screwed a scrubbing brush, bristle side up, to his (wooden) draining
board.

I also hope you got a refund on the trip, and/or can rearrange it for a
later date.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Vicky Ayech
On Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:15:18 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two

[]

Post by Vicky Ayech
Ouch!
Hope it heals quickly and isn't causing too many problems while it does.

+1 on both counts.

Post by Vicky Ayech
You never appreciate how many things become awkward when you have only one
fully functional arm/hand until it happens - just washing your hands can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in it,
apart from a slight tingling; in particular, the temperature sensors in
it. I'd half resigned to ignoring it, but I rested it on a radiator over
the holidays, and it occurred to me that if I'd left it longer I could
have harmed it.) Happened last autumn: I spoke to doc in last week, and
she's going to get me an MRI neck scan in next three months.

It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

Post by Vicky Ayech
difficult. There's a one-armed woman in my art class who makes great use of
wet-wipes (I'm amazed she can open the packet) and a mechanic friend of
Ray's screwed a scrubbing brush

IRTA as "TMI with knobs on", until I read on!

Post by Vicky Ayech
, bristle side up, to his (wooden) draining
board.

[]

[Steve Hague]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Penny
can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in it,
apart from a slight tingling; in particular, the temperature sensors in
it. I'd half resigned to ignoring it, but I rested it on a radiator over
the holidays, and it occurred to me that if I'd left it longer I could
have harmed it.) Happened last autumn: I spoke to doc in last week, and
she's going to get me an MRI neck scan in next three months.
It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left hand.
This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart seemed to
do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at the elbow
(she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she manages to do
things you would think required two hands.
Steve

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Penny
can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in

[]

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left
hand. This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart

Yes, I can see that in particular would be!

Post by Steve Hague
seemed to do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at
the elbow (she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she
manages to do things you would think required two hands.
Steve

Not a meteorologist, is she? There's one on BBC south east (though I
have seen her do national occasionally) - called Lucy, IIRR - who seems
to do fine (and is pleasant - but then I find them all pleasant).

[Steve Hague]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Steve Hague

Post by Penny
can be

 I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in

[]

Post by Steve Hague

 It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left
hand. This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart

Yes, I can see that in particular would be!

Post by Steve Hague
seemed to do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at
the elbow (she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she
manages to do things you would think required two hands.
Steve

Not a meteorologist, is she? There's one on BBC south east (though I
have seen her do national occasionally) - called Lucy, IIRR - who seems
to do fine (and is pleasant - but then I find them all pleasant).

No, but her little arm looks much the same as Lucy's.
Steve

[Mike]

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Penny
can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in it,
apart from a slight tingling; in particular, the temperature sensors in
it. I'd half resigned to ignoring it, but I rested it on a radiator over
the holidays, and it occurred to me that if I'd left it longer I could
have harmed it.) Happened last autumn: I spoke to doc in last week, and
she's going to get me an MRI neck scan in next three months.
It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left hand.
This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart seemed to
do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at the elbow
(she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she manages to do
things you would think required two hands.
Steve

I recall a horologist who had a shop in North Street, Exeter in the 1960’s
and repaired watches and clocks; his hands were at right angles to his
wrists but seem to function in the usual way - he was also fairly short and
used to haul himself onto a box or dais behind the counter to attend to
customers.

[Anne B]

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Penny
can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in
it, apart from a slight tingling; in particular, the temperature
sensors in it. I'd half resigned to ignoring it, but I rested it on a
radiator over the holidays, and it occurred to me that if I'd left it
longer I could have harmed it.) Happened last autumn: I spoke to doc
in last week, and she's going to get me an MRI neck scan in next three
months.
It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left hand.
This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart seemed to
do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at the elbow
(she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she manages to do
things you would think required two hands.
Steve

Is that as well as or instead of a conventional right arm?

Anne B

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Anne B

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Penny
can be

I am feeling very guilty/first-world problem/whatever: I have a dead
little finger. (Looks and moves fine; I just can't feel anything in
it, apart from a slight tingling; in particular, the temperature
sensors in it. I'd half resigned to ignoring it, but I rested it on a
radiator over the holidays, and it occurred to me that if I'd left it
longer I could have harmed it.) Happened last autumn: I spoke to doc
in last week, and she's going to get me an MRI neck scan in next three months.

EMG and NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction studies) appointment
for 2020-2-26 received.

Post by Anne B

Post by Steve Hague

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
It's a little odd, and some things _are_ confusing when you can only
feel with three out of four fingers.

YANAOU. I have almost no sensation in the little finger of my left
hand. This is inconvenient for a guitar player, but Django Rheinhart
seemed to do ok. A friend of ours has a right arm which terminates at
the elbow (she calls it her 'little arm') and it's amazing how she
manages to do things you would think required two hands.
Steve

Is that as well as or instead of a conventional right arm?

Chuckle! [See Lucy the weather forecaster for a serious example.]

Post by Anne B
Anne B

[Nick Odell]

On Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:15:18 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
On Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:04:40 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Penny
On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:57:38 +0000, Nick Odell

Post by Nick Odell
Don't laugh but we are going on a short coach tour of a part of
Scotland next month. Apart from the presumption that coach tour
operators probably know more about what to see and how to get there
than someone like me who has only ever been to Edinburgh and
Aberfeldie, the five day/four night break, including excursions, is
costing substantially less than the cheapest return rail fare that I
can find.[1]
The question is, do people give tips on trips like this? If so, who
and how much? I realise some people rely on tips to make a decent
living (especially when the holiday is priced so low, somebody,
somewhere must be underpaid) but that others may be insulted by the
offer. I've never actually been on a coach holiday before and I don't
know where to begin.

Thanks for the suggestions: we'll see how it all goes.

Liliana tipped over on a muddy footpath and broke her wrist in two
places and the only touring we are doing at the moment is the
taxi-ride back and forth from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary who, as the
name implies, are treating her Royally.
So bad luck, umrats: I'll still be posting here next week!

Thanks all. Your thoughts are all appreciated and your good wishes
have been passed on - well: read out, actually.

Nick

[Clive Arthur]

On 31/12/2019 11:57, Nick Odell wrote:
<snip>

Post by Nick Odell
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

I occasionally do Reading to Pewsey return. About £75 return Reading to
Pewsey or about £21 total with returns Reading to Newbury and Newbury to
Pewsey for the same train. (And then a third off with old git's railcard.)

Cheers

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Post by Clive Arthur
<snip>

Post by Nick Odell
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

I occasionally do Reading to Pewsey return. About £75 return Reading
to Pewsey or about £21 total with returns Reading to Newbury and
Newbury to Pewsey for the same train. (And then a third off with old
git's railcard.)
Cheers

Do you have to get off and then back on at Pewsey?

ISTR there's at least one website that helps with split ticketing.

[Clive Arthur]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Clive Arthur
<snip>

Post by Nick Odell
[1]I didn't try split ticketing: does that still work now they have
supposedly "simplified" the pricing?

I occasionally do Reading to Pewsey return.  About £75 return Reading
to Pewsey or about £21 total with returns Reading to Newbury and
Newbury to Pewsey for the same train. (And then a third off with old
git's railcard.)
Cheers

Do you have to get off and then back on at Pewsey?

ITYM Newbury which is the intermediate stop, but no you don't have to
get off, however the train does have to stop there, which in my case
does rule out one convenient train for the return.

(That may have changed with the new timetable, I haven't done it since.)

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
ISTR there's at least one website that helps with split ticketing.

One problem is seat reservations, they'd be different for each leg
unless you're very lucky. It doesn't matter to me as the train is less
than half full for that trip.

Cheers