Good thread here. I generally carry $40-50 for day to day use as necessary, with a backup stash of $100. My father-in-law got me started with this “cash stash” practice many years ago and it’s held to this day. That said, probably 90% of my brick and mortar shopping purchases are by credit card.
Like many, I bristle at the tip screen on the credit card reader at takeaway joints for Chinese food, coffee, pizza, etc.. What?! When did this become a thing? Where’s your damn tip jar? If you give me good service with a smile I will consider a cash tip, but no way I will pad the merchant’s daily credit card take.
I tip very generously (min. 20%) in restaurants when the service has been exemplary. Another practice learned from my father-in-law. When we’ve traveled in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean I consciously maintained that habit.
My daughter and son-in-law worked (until very recently) in the restaurant/pub/bar/tavern business in midtown Manhattan. Their very livelihoods most definitely relied upon customers who appreciated their service and tipped accordingly. They silently cringed when both, American and European tourists patronized the establishments. While their level of high quality service with a smile remained unchanged, they knew what to expect when the bill was paid. I’m guessing that was due to the tourist mind-set, “well, I’m never coming here again, so…”
you can do it with a variety of loose items Advocados can magically become a much lesser fruit and so on.
