Hey dd74 -- weren't you going to get in touch next time you came to NYC? You had a standing offer for drinks after offering to help w/ that Quattro I was interested in out in your neck of the woods. I'm on LI now, but w/ some notice, a quick trip into the City to meet a familiar-face-I've-never-seen would be no problem.

JP

JP - it was all business this time. We had meeting after meeting after meeting. Only once was I able to get downtime, at that was to see some old friends in Katona.

Around spring we're going back, so I'll look you up then. I'm always up for a double-strong martini and a very rare steak. ;)

Starbucks? :rolleyes: I buy my coffee at McDonald's drive-thru. It even comes in a designer cup now. No tip required.

For $1 - not much - but thanks!

This is both funny and sad. Earl Green had a great over the twisties route planned for an R Gruppe drive after we gathered at PIR on Nov. 9th...the drive was great. We ended up at an establishment I won't name, other than to say it serves microbrew beer and great burgers. Before we ever ordered, we were informed that a "17% gratuity" was expected. This because we were a large group and they wouldn't give us seperate tickets. I asked the guy if we had to wash dishes if we could come up with only 16%. Evidently, the comment went over his head. Since the food and service were both merely okay, they got more than 20%...
Still, the way a tip was just added to the bill? Pretty tacky, IMHO...

something I could never understand about tipping. why does one food deserve a much higher tip then another type of food? Just because one food costs more than the other? they both come on one plate. no extra work bringing a steak to the table than bringing a hamburger.

Tipping's a strange thing.

I worked in a small coffee shop in Alexandria for a few years, great coffee, great atmosphere etc.

When I worked solo the tip jar stayed pretty empty, but when one of my female colleagues was working the tip jar filled right up?

Hmmmmm, maybe it has to do with the low cut tops and the tight pants....

True my attitiude was more direct and business-like than many, but the aim is to get good coffee, well made and at a good price..

Oh and this was before the days of the auto expresso maker, so the 'barista's' (what a stupid name) skill was important.

So much that one evening this bright boy decieed to impress the girl he was with by telling me how to 'pull' his expresso.

The regulars gather round in anticipation of a torrent of good olde world anglo -saxon abuse, but no I merely stepped aside and suggested he demonstrate his own skills to us all. He declined and walked away sheepishy.

Next morning the owner took a call, the guy was complaining about my attitude and how he had every right to demand the coffee be made exactly as he wanted. To which the priceless reply was 'Starbucks is just around the corner, please use it'.

so what requirements are there for a tree to be considered relatively Christmas?

:D

Heh heh...I think I can type fast.

...relatively heavy Christmas tree......

I knew what you meant. I just love picking on people :D