Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms New York

Happy Wedding Anniversary to you both.

The TV is very good graphically but the one thing they cannot do is provide the stench of the flooded drains which will be flowing around the streets for a while with all it's contents.

The main push will be retutning power/business I'm sure.

I don't think this is too conducive an atmosphere for your Anniversary if other destinations are open to you.

I'm sure you will enjoy it whatever the decision.

It's not the weather that would keep me away, it's the aggressive tipping policy which - relatives in Connecticut tell me - has now gone up from an expected 17.5% to 20%. Haven't been since 2004 and I don't intend to go back. Last time in a US restaurant I left 10% because it wasn't very good and they barred my exit (much more intimidating than windy weather!). I stuck to my 10% and found several weeks later they had altered my $330 credit card slip to $380. Barclaycard took the hit, but that day I took a solemn vow never to return.

Back on subject, the relatives live at the mouth of the Connecticut river. OK, I know it's not NY but close enough to be badly affected and we have heard they have no power, no water, no phones.

If you do go, good luck; let us know how you get on. HWA from me, too!

I have to say I don't like the place at the best of times. I know that isn't fashionable but there you go.

I would look to my insurance & go somewhere fun like Antigua, Rio or Nashville

What ever you do have a great wedding anniversary!

Off the subject I know but: I hate tips. To me tipping is something you give when you receive some extra or particularly good service. It should not be considered a source of income for the waiters, their pay should be covered by the price of the goods or services, in this case the restaurant bill. It is a disease that is spreading just about everywhere.

To get back to the topic: given the current state of affairs I would try to cancel, claim the insurance, and go somewhere where the sun is shining. Whatever you decide have a great anniversary.

I took a party of 12 out for dinner at an expensive New York restaurant - we had some serious wines and the bill came to just over $5,000. I thought a $500 tip for indifferent service was more than generous. The restaurant manager didn't and we had a stand up row at the end of the meal. I didn't budge and would never go back.

Off topic, but wanted to share the experience.

Tipping is clearly a way of restaurants paying their staff less. Not my problem.

Remind me never to go back to NY unless someone else is paying...
and I would last a month (at home) on one person's dinner, excluding scrumpy!

Jeremy. Sorry - my fault for sending this thread off into the realms of tipping in the USA, but there is clearly a strength of feeling here (and I'm glad to know I am not alone). What US waiters don't seem to understand is that I, as the customer, have no contract with them. Their contract is between themselves and their employer, and that is nothing to do with me. And I will NOT be mugged for a large tip (see my earlier post). If any US members read this post, your views would be welcomed I'm sure...

+1

Just read that the NY marathon is not cancelled and continues as planned Sunday.

Rudolf

Ps you will never see me back in that city after some bad experiences in only 1day stay.