Murica Questions (tipping, driving, etc)

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Pugilistic

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I have a family trip planned to go to Hawaii and a solo trip to California afterwards. It'll be my first time in Hawaii and my first time back in the US in almost ten years. I'm pretty stoked because I love America. So originally I made this thread to ask about Hawaii, but being my first time back in the US in almost ten years, I've forgotten some things and I'm wondering how much has changed. Also when I lived in the States, it was in the east coast and midwest; I've only visited the West. I've got some general America/California related questions.

1. I never really understood tipping in the first place but I always heard you give 15% of your meal price. Is that still true? Do you guys give tip even in places that automatically add gratuity to your bill? Don't want a debate about the merits or cons of tipping, just want to know how it's normally done.

2. How is driving in both States? Living Seoul, Korea, I tend to think of driving here to be a lot more wackier than in the US, but people have told me traffic conditions are usually pretty bad in California.

3. On a related note, would you say it's easier to get around via driving or by other means of transportation? Some people have told me in some cases, flying from one part of Cali to another might be cheaper and faster than driving.

4. Is there much to do in Hawaii/O'ahu for more than week? I am wondering if I should stay in Hawaii longer by myself since it's my first time there and I've been to California before. Is it worth it to visit the other islands? Some people have told me a week is enough.

5. Also what should I do in Hawaii in general? Restaurant suggestions? I'm looking forward to Snorkeling and surfing of course.

6. Any suggestions for California? I'm planning to visit San Francisco & the Bay Area (have friends there), San Diego, Long Beach & LA, and Yosemite. I'm sure there's more but I don't know what do yet. What's good to eat in Cali? Recommendations for bars, nightlight, etc? The only place I know is In and Out, which I haven't tried yet but looking forward to.

7. Anything else I need to watch out for? Areas to avoid? I've always heard Oakland is pretty bad.
 
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I don't care to do Hawaii for more than a week personally.

More important is what time of year will you be visiting.
 
Los Angeles has an abundance of pigeons. So, that's a good thing.
 
Pugilistic said:
Mid September!
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That's a good time to visit Cali. The tourists will be mostly gone and the locals will be mostly settled back in. What city will you be based out of?

You can take the Pacific Surfliner up and down the coastal towns. Drive out to Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and so on. You can get short inexpensive flights between the Bay and Socal. Flights to Vegas are also equally short and inexpensive.
 
ithinktheymad said:
That's a good time to visit Cali. The tourists will be mostly gone and the locals will be mostly settled back in. What city will you be based out of?

You can take the Pacific Surfliner up and down the coastal towns. Drive out to Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and so on. You can get short inexpensive flights between the Bay and Socal. Flights to Vegas are also equally short and inexpensive.
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Great idea. I was going to rent a car and drive all over the place. I didn't really think about going to Vegas but maybe I'll check it out depending on how expensive the flights are. When I went to vegas I was underage so I couldn't properly experience it.
 
Pugilistic said:
Great idea. I was going to rent a car and drive all over the place. I didn't really think about going to Vegas but maybe I'll check it out depending on how expensive the flights are. When I went to vegas I was underage so I couldn't properly experience it.
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If you're poor, you still can't.
 
Pugilistic said:
Great idea. I was going to rent a car and drive all over the place. I didn't really think about going to Vegas but maybe I'll check it out depending on how expensive the flights are. When I went to vegas I was underage so I couldn't properly experience it.
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I'm based out of LA. It takes a little over 3 hours to get to San Luis Obispo and about 2.5 to San Diego on the Surfliner. You can drive to Vegas in about 3.5 on a good day. You can fly to San Fran in 1.5 hours for under 100 round trip if you book in advance. About an hour to Vegas for the same price.

I recommend the train where you can. Traffic is way worse than you remember!
 
Tip 20% if they did a good job. You will probably need a car or use uber to get anywhere that isn't inside a major city.
 
headkicktoleg said:
Tip 20% if they did a good job. You will probably need a car or use uber to get anywhere that isn't inside a major city.
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That reminds me, parking is probably really expensive right? California is expensive in general, isn't it?
 
Pugilistic said:
That reminds me, parking is probably really expensive right? California is expensive in general, isn't it?
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Parking will probably be a bitch. Cali is expensive as hell. I don't even want to imagine what an average lunch in LA costs
 
1. yes we tip. but you shouldn't. you're just visting, what the fuck are they gonna do?


2. the before work and after work driving hours are terrible. the rest is ok.


3. id say check the prices.


4. you can do all the tourist stuff, but Hawaii is more for relaxing.


5. seems like you asked the same question twice.


6. Big Sur up north.


7. most of the places to avoid you would never think to go in the first place.
 
spin_ said:
1. yes we tip. but you shouldn't. you're just visting, what the fuck are they gonna do?
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I just don't want to be a dick and I always want to respect the culture of the countries I visit.

I also have a weed related question. Since it's legal in california, I can just go to a store, buy a joint, and light it up anywhere? Or is it like drinking where I can't do it public?
 
You gotta see Yosemite Valley. Vernal Fall is a good hike if you had to pick just one.
Santa Barbara is worth seeing.
LA traffic is terrible, and spreads a vast area. Beyond that, I don't think it's anything you haven't seen on the mean streets of Seoul.
Pacific Surfliner / Metrolink are reasonable rail alternatives to LA traffic.

Tipping is 100% up to you.
 
Pugilistic said:
I just don't want to be a dick and I always want to respect the culture of the countries I visit.

I also have a weed related question. Since it's legal in california, I can just go to a store, buy a joint, and light it up anywhere? Or is it like drinking where I can't do it public?
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not my thing, you'd have to ask someone else.
 
spin_ said:
6. Big Sur up north.
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+1 for Big Sur, except the southern end of the 1 is closed, but he should have no problem from the North.

If you see nothing else, go see McWay Falls.
 
astrozician said:
You gotta see Yosemite Valley. Vernal Fall is a good hike if you had to pick just one.
Santa Barbara is worth seeing.
LA traffic is terrible, and spreads a vast area. Beyond that, I don't think it's anything you haven't seen on the mean streets of Seoul.
Pacific Surfliner / Metrolink are reasonable rail alternatives to LA traffic.

Tipping is 100% up to you.
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Thanks for those tips.
Then fuck it, if my server doesn't do a good job I'm gonna be a stingy asian tourist and leave them nothing.
 
Pugilistic said:
I just don't want to be a dick and I always want to respect the culture of the countries I visit.

I also have a weed related question. Since it's legal in california, I can just go to a store, buy a joint, and light it up anywhere? Or is it like drinking where I can't do it public?
Click to expand...
I recently visited San Diego and asked a cop about the pot thing. He said you’re not supposed to do it in public, but it isn’t really enforced unless you’re a dick about it.
Don’t go walking through crowds blazing up, find somewhere like the corner of a park, etc. Basically don’t toke where you wouldn’t want someone smoking a cigarette.
 
Yes, go to the other islands, other then Oahu. Lived there for 3 years. Waikiki is a cool little tourist town, but the other islands are where you will see the beauty of hawaii.

Also in September the waves can be pretty big on the North shore. Pipeline is fun to check out when the waves get over 25 feet.
 
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