Re: Travel ettiquette whilst in the US
Andrew,<br /><br />What is the nature of your visit? Personal travel or work related. One of the things I do, I travel 4-5 days a week, is try and find something, almost anything to avoid a chain restaurant. Take in the local fare. Beleive it or not there are some fairly good mexican restaurants in California. As there are so many members, if you post the cities we could actually make recommondations.<br /><br />Tipping is based on the level of service. Remember that breakfast here is cheap, and therefore I never tip less than 2 bucks even if the meal is only 6 bucks. They get up early, work just as hard and take the least lucrative shift. Don't punish them further. I usually tip 20% but then again if the meal is extremely expensive, 15% should suffice. <br /><br />It sounds like you will be comming into southern california (or not???) If in doubt rent an all wheel drive car. They are frequently very versitile vehicles like wagons or SUV's. Snow chains are rather limited to specific areas. Here in Wisconsin where it snows for months, we never use snow chains. They are illegal in this state. I would be surprized if you would need them though.<br /><br />Hotels, low end - Holiday Inn Express/Fairfield Inn. I also am partial to the La Quinta chain. Always clean, have internet, and usually are less than 6 years old. Midrange - Hilton chain hotels. High end, use a travel agency.<br /><br />Sounds like I have a problem, but I try and eat at brew pubs. Just a personal thing, but the food is always good, and heck they have beer all the time. They are a trendy thing here in the states and they are in all major/and many minor cities. Just check the web. <br /><br />Tip your cabbie and pump him for information on the area if you use one frequently. If he speaks english that is. $5 is a good tip for a cabbie, or a doorman or porter. Tip a consierge whatever you think is appropriate.<br /><br />Sears, JC Penny, or any mentioned above are all pretty much the same.<br /><br />Have a great visit.
<br />If I remeber correctly where you are traveling the roads will either be open or closed. This question should be answered by the rental agent.<br />Most accomodations are adequate and depend for the most part on your budget.<br />My Kids work for Wal-mart so.... Sears, JC Penny Gottschalks, May company on and on and on again, budget.<br />Advice from technoidiots, 
