Quoting Joe Mackey to Nancy Backus on 06-14-18 06:00 <=-

And not only fancy places... some buffets will add in the tip if the
party is over a certain size

I saw a video recently where a topic was tipping.
Among other things only in the US is tipping seen as automatic. In
Europe its included in the price (thus taxed since its a known amount).

Well, that seems even more automatic... ;) or were you meaning that in
the US, it's expected that one will figure and tender a tip...

In Asian countries its seen as an insult since the customer seems to
think only by tipping they would get good service.
(The question I had on this point was then shouldn't the server be
tipped BEFORE the meal and not after?)

Cultures do differ... Asians in this country don't see it as an insult, though... they'd just as soon get the extra money... ;)

One point brought out was a survey of servers who said they
preferred small groups of one or two people. Over that the customers don't tip more since service to all was the same. So instead of 10
tips, a party of 10 will give one, which is less than what 10
individuals would give.

That depends on the particular group, and which person is responsible
for figuring the tip... if the tip on the total is over 20%, it probably
is equal to or greater than the server would've received from the 10 individuals...

(I knew a real tightwad several years, {no
not me, but he was an inspiration} who was not allowed to go back to
the table when we were paying because he would pocket the tip).

That's not a tightwad, that's just mean.... To balance him out, I'm
reminded of a story of a little boy who limited what he ordered at a
restaurant so that he'd be able to leave a tip for the waitress out of
his very meager pocket of change... brought tears to her eyes when she
realized what he'd done...

Wasn't the income tax declared unconstitutional at one time??

It was argued back when first imposed that it was against the
consitution... but as you can see, that was run over roughshod... ;0

Before 1913 there was no federal income tax. Taxes were collected
on tariffs on imported items.
It took, literally, an act of congress to make the 16th amendment to
the constitution.

I'd call that being a bit roughshod... ;)

Before then there were temporary federal income taxes to fund one
thing or another, such as the Civil War in the north. These usually
only lasted a few years.

Just got their appetites whetted... ;)

Not sure about state laws, since they vary. And some states (FL and
TX come to mind) that have no state income tax. They depend on sales taxes, property taxes, etc.)
Some states, like WV, have a luxury tax on items that are deemed
luxuries. In WV cars are taxed more since they are deemed a luxury.

No wonder you drive a bike... ;) Here, certain cars have an additional
yearly use tax added above the normal sales tax which is imposed when
one buys the vehicle, and the annual licensing fee... We've got state
and local sales tax, local property taxes and state income tax... NYC
and Yonkers also have city income tax.... collected along with the state
income taxes...

ttyl neb

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Nancy wrote --

JM>> Before 1913 there was no federal income tax. Taxes were collected
JM>> on tariffs on imported items.
JM>> It took, literally, an act of congress to make the 16th amendment to
JM>> the constitution.

I'd call that being a bit roughshod... ;)

One the reasons for the tariffs on imported goods was so the American economy
could grow.
Tariffs were imposed on luxury goods (perfume, lace, etc) and some other items like soap.
We were making all that here (along with a slew of other things).
In addition other nations had tariffs on imported goods.
Thus when Woolworth, as an example, opened his five and dimes in England he could use the name Woolworth, but all the items he sold (for the most part) were made somewhere in the Empire. And they were similar to what was sold here, only with a different brand name.

JM>> Before then there were temporary federal income taxes to fund one
JM>> thing or another, such as the Civil War in the north. These usually
JM>> only lasted a few years.

Just got their appetites whetted... ;)

Congress saw this vast pool of Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller and other monies and how could they get some of it.
The 16th amendment (I think I mistakenly wrote 13th the other day, that was banning slavery) of 1913 was a two percent tax on anything over $4,000, which would be $100,000 in today's money. Since the vast majority of people earned less than that they were not affected.
It wasn't until the 1930s more people were affected then everyone in the '40s
what with financing the war, etc. This was also when the withholding of taxes occurred, so the feds had a more steady stream of revenue rather than just once
a year.
Before withholding it was the honour system on how much one declared and up to them to pay it in a lump sum. Thus someone making $50 a week
got that $50 on pay day, usually in cash.
I can't say for sure, but I'm sure the employers had to report how much was paid out.

JM>> Some states, like WV, have a luxury tax on items that are deemed
JM>> luxuries. In WV cars are taxed more since they are deemed a luxury.

No wonder you drive a bike... ;)

I am so thankful I live in a community with good mass transit as well. One can get most anywhere they want to go on the bus and they are usually full and sometimes SRO.
If I care to stray farther afield all I need do is get a rental car for the duration. :)
Joe


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Quoting Joe Mackey to Nancy Backus on 06-18-18 08:44 <=-

Before 1913 there was no federal income tax. Taxes were collected
on tariffs on imported items.
It took, literally, an act of congress to make the 16th amendment to
the constitution.

I'd call that being a bit roughshod... ;)

One the reasons for the tariffs on imported goods was so the
American economy could grow.
Tariffs were imposed on luxury goods (perfume, lace, etc) and some
other items like soap.
We were making all that here (along with a slew of other things).

There's always some sort of taxes on things... ;0

In addition other nations had tariffs on imported goods.
Thus when Woolworth, as an example, opened his five and dimes in
England he could use the name Woolworth, but all the items he sold (for the most part) were made somewhere in the Empire. And they were
similar to what was sold here, only with a different brand name.

And are there any Woolworth's left there...? I know they're all gone
here now...

Before then there were temporary federal income taxes to fund one
thing or another, such as the Civil War in the north. These usually
only lasted a few years.

Just got their appetites whetted... ;)

Congress saw this vast pool of Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller and
other monies and how could they get some of it.
The 16th amendment (I think I mistakenly wrote 13th the other day,
that was banning slavery) of 1913 was a two percent tax on anything
over $4,000, which would be $100,000 in today's money. Since the vast majority of people earned less than that they were not affected.

That's how it starts.... ;)

It wasn't until the 1930s more people were affected then everyone in
the '40s what with financing the war, etc. This was also when the withholding of taxes occurred, so the feds had a more steady stream of revenue rather than just once a year.
Before withholding it was the honour system on how much one declared
and up to them to pay it in a lump sum. Thus someone making $50 a week got that $50 on pay day, usually in cash.
I can't say for sure, but I'm sure the employers had to report how
much was paid out.

Probably... :)

Some states, like WV, have a luxury tax on items that are deemed
luxuries. In WV cars are taxed more since they are deemed a luxury.

No wonder you drive a bike... ;)

I am so thankful I live in a community with good mass transit as
well. One can get most anywhere they want to go on the bus and they
are usually full and sometimes SRO.

Our mass transit is fairly good, but there are a number of places one
still can't easily get to.... and service is spotty on the weekends...

If I care to stray farther afield all I need do is get a rental car
for the duration. :)

Speaking of which, how are you plans coming for your extended trip... ;)

ttyl neb

... Young at heart... slightly older in other places.

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Hi Nancy --

JM>> We were making all that here (along with a slew of other things).

There's always some sort of taxes on things... ;0

I am reminded of the old joke.
In Congress was a big debate on something or other. A Congressman stood up and made this long speech, and among other things said, "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may tax your memories..." when one congress critter turned to the other and said "Why haven't we thought of that?"

And are there any Woolworth's left there...? I know they're all gone
here now...

There are still a few in England.
They aren't what they used to be, having been taken over by pound stores (like our dollar stores), which are growing at a steady clip.

JM>> over $4,000, which would be $100,000 in today's money. Since the

vast majority of people earned less than that they were not affected.

That's how it starts.... ;)

As with "temporary" taxes that never seem to go away.

JM>> I am so thankful I live in a community with good mass transit

Our mass transit is fairly good, but there are a number of places one still can't easily get to.... and service is spotty on the weekends...

Our buses run from like 0600 to 2200, Monday through Saturday and cover most of the town. Some places you can catch the bus on your corner, other places its a few blocks walk to the bus stop.
Until 1800 they run on the hour, on the schedule. But are usually late since the routes are longish and if there's any problem along the way the bus is put behind.
The common joke here among riders:
Is the bus on time?
Yeah, within an hour or two. :)

Get to the stop a few minutes early and its late. Get there two seconds after its due and all you see are its tail lights.
After 1800 several routes are combined.
There is also a shuttle bus, of sorts, that loop downtown and campus more or
less. That is free for people with a university ID. That runs I think from around noon to midnight, give or take a bit.
It's jokingly referred as the "drunk bus" late in the evening.

JM>> If I care to stray farther afield all I need do is get a rental car
JM>> for the duration. :)

Speaking of which, how are you plans coming for your extended trip... ;)

Haven't really given it any more thought. What with the price of gas having gone up lately and all.
(Of course gas always goes up between Memorial and Labor Days. Always has, always will).
Joe


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Nancy,

Our mass transit is fairly good, but there are a number of places one NB>still can't easily get to.... and service is spotty on the weekends...

I wish I could say that...several bus routes have been eliminated over
the years.

Daryl

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Joe,

The common joke here among riders:
Is the bus on time?
Yeah, within an hour or two. :)

Truer words were never spoken.

Get to the stop a few minutes early and its late. Get there two seconds
after its due and all you see are its tail lights.

Always. We can't get Murphy out of our lives.

Daryl

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Quoting Joe Mackey to Nancy Backus on 06-25-18 05:52 <=-

There's always some sort of taxes on things... ;0

I am reminded of the old joke.
In Congress was a big debate on something or other. A Congressman
stood up and made this long speech, and among other things said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may tax your memories..." when one congress critter turned to the other and said "Why haven't we thought of that?"

It's a joke, right... a joke... <G>

And are there any Woolworth's left there...? I know they're all gone
here now...

There are still a few in England.
They aren't what they used to be, having been taken over by pound
stores (like our dollar stores), which are growing at a steady clip.

Supposedly the same idea as the five-and-dime... but from what I've
seen, not as nice really....

over $4,000, which would be $100,000 in today's money.-a Since the
vast majority of people earned less than that they were not affected.

That's how it starts.... ;)

As with "temporary" taxes that never seem to go away.

Exactly.

I am so thankful I live in a community with good mass transit

Our mass transit is fairly good, but there are a number of places one
still can't easily get to.... and service is spotty on the weekends...

Our buses run from like 0600 to 2200, Monday through Saturday and
cover most of the town. Some places you can catch the bus on your
corner, other places its a few blocks walk to the bus stop.
Until 1800 they run on the hour, on the schedule. But are usually
late since the routes are longish and if there's any problem along the
way the bus is put behind.

Ours is similar, although I think at peak times they are scheduled more
often, maybe every half hour, or on the busier routes maybe every 15-20 minutes... I haven't actually used the bus for a long time, so I'm going
on what I remember, and from what I hear from those that do take it... I
think it tends to run closer to schedule than yours, but I could be
mistaken... ;)

The common joke here among riders:
Is the bus on time?
Yeah, within an hour or two. :)

I trust it isn't quite that bad really.... ;)

Get to the stop a few minutes early and its late. Get there two
seconds after its due and all you see are its tail lights.

Murphy's law of buses....

After 1800 several routes are combined.

That happens here, too.... also on the weekends....

There is also a shuttle bus, of sorts, that loop downtown and
campus more or less. That is free for people with a university ID.
That runs I think from around noon to midnight, give or take a bit.
It's jokingly referred as the "drunk bus" late in the evening.

Better than having the students driving drunk... :) Here, RIT and UR
have their own shuttle bus service, not connected with the city's mass transit....

If I care to stray farther afield all I need do is get a rental car
for the duration. :)

Speaking of which, how are your plans coming for your extended
trip... ;)

Haven't really given it any more thought. What with the price of
gas having gone up lately and all.
(Of course gas always goes up between Memorial and Labor Days.
Always has, always will).

And sometimes even fluctuates within those dates.... It IS, after all,
while your services are less required.... just have to rent a car that's relatively easy on gas with good mileage.... :)

ttyl neb

... I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts -- Do You Want Fries With That?

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Quoting Daryl Stout to Nancy Backus on 06-25-18 08:59 <=-

Our mass transit is fairly good, but there are a number of places one
still can't easily get to.... and service is spotty on the weekends...

I wish I could say that...several bus routes have been eliminated
over the years.

Rochester has made some commitments to having and maintaining a
reasonably decent mass transit system... It's had its good years and its
bad years, but currently seems to be thriving pretty well... I do know a
few people that rely on bus transportation still, and they aren't
complaining about the system.... :)

ttyl neb

... It's hard to believe that someday I'll be an ancester.

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Nancy wrote --

Rochester has made some commitments to having and maintaining a
reasonably decent mass transit system

I forgot to mention in my other post, several years ago bike racks were installed on the front of all buses. Those are really great since I can take the bus, then continue on by bike. (And many others do this as well). The only problem is they carry a max of two bikes so if out somewhere and two are already on the bus its wait for the next one.
Sometimes I have just gone on and ridden my bike, if not too far, say under 20 miles.
Joe


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Nancy,

Better than having the students driving drunk... :) Here, RIT and UR NB>have their own shuttle bus service, not connected with the city's mass NB>transit....

Students at the University Of Arkansas At Little Rock (UALR), can
ride the Rock Region Metro buses and the downtown River Rail Trolley for
free, with their student ID. While Little Rock isn't as big as
Rochester, there are several bus routes that have been eliminated over
the years.

Daryl

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Joe,

I forgot to mention in my other post, several years ago bike racks were
installed on the front of all buses. Those are really great since I can tak JM>the bus, then continue on by bike. (And many others do this as well). The JM>only problem is they carry a max of two bikes so if out somewhere and two ar JM>already on the bus its wait for the next one.

They have those on the buses here...but the riders are responsible for putting them on to...and removing them from...those bike racks.

Daryl

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Quoting Joe Mackey to Nancy Backus on 06-28-18 05:39 <=-

Rochester has made some commitments to having and maintaining a
reasonably decent mass transit system

I forgot to mention in my other post, several years ago bike racks
were installed on the front of all buses. Those are really great since
I can take the bus, then continue on by bike. (And many others do this
as well). The only problem is they carry a max of two bikes so if out somewhere and two are already on the bus its wait for the next one.

We've got that here, too... :)

Sometimes I have just gone on and ridden my bike, if not too far,
say under 20 miles.

As long as you are up to the ride... :) Back in the day, I would set
off walking if the bus was running late... sometimes I got to the
destination before the bus did... ;)

ttyl neb

... A fusion of peanut butter gooeyness, a cracker crunch, and squid!

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