Make taxi companies pay - yeah about time

[IQS.RLOW]

You're too late, they have already put that system in place here where you pay a $10 premium...but still no guarantee of getting a cab on time.

Maybe they should have a premium service where you pay for a cabbie who speaks English, knows the roads and is aware of what a shower and deodorant is

[IQS.RLOW]

I always use the premium drivers in syd and melb. Set fee, clean cabs and talk directly to them.

Theres now a few phone apps about that will be sending shivers down the spines cabcharge and the like

[Super Nova]

NOIQ: Hello Yellow Cabs. I want a Cab at 8.00 am.

Yellow Cabs: You are are an internet fucker. Aussie told us. Wanna take a punt on Aussie being there, or would you prefer to agree to pay Aussie a premium of $30.00 on top of the usual fare so that he is there when you want him.

NOIQ: Fuck Aussie.

Yellow Cabs: No worries. We have entered your booking. Have a nice day.

Plus.................

Taxi: Turns up one hour late just to make the point that if you ever want a taxi on time in this new greed process everyone will have to book premium.

IQ: You're fucking late you c.nt.

Aussie: So fucking what you wanker, if you paid premium I would compensate you, now you get naf all and you get the lesson. Pay extra for the service you should get for the old basic rate or suffer you tight arse. I have a whole family of little indians to feed.

IQ: Fuck you I'm going to walk then.

Aussie: Wanker

IQ: Tosser lefty %^&8% ^75389$%%^^$ giz guzling *&^^

Aussie: I think I know that guy, don't remember where from.........

IQ: "walks around the corner and hails a cab and get to him destination without paying premium."

[IQS.RLOW]

I'd key his fucking cab first

[Super Nova]

Aussie's taxi after IQ keyed it.

[AiA in Atlanta]

Have a question for Aussie: when I am in AUS it seems to be the cabbies expect a tip from me b/c 1) my accent is American and when they ask me where I flew in from I say "the States" (some of them will even do a bit of song and dance for a tip) but don't seem to expect a tip from someone they perceive to be an Aussie. Do I have this right?

[IQS.RLOW]

Cabbies are scum in every city in the world you go to...possibly more in QLD which is why I always hire a car and drive drunk when I'm there...the risks are far too great

[Neferti]

Have a question for Aussie: when I am in AUS it seems to be the cabbies expect a tip from me b/c 1) my accent is American and when they ask me where I flew in from I say "the States" (some of them will even do a bit of song and dance for a tip) but don't seem to expect a tip from someone they perceive to be an Aussie. Do I have this right?

How long have you lived in the States, AiA? I know people who have lived there almost 20 years and still speak with a basic Aussie accent ... not a broad one, mind you but you wouldn't pick them as American, except for a few words/terms which are becoming more common here anyway via TV.

You must know that most Aussies aren't very fond of Yanks (for whatever reason) including cabbies, I expect. So any sign of a Yank accent would have them thinking that you are used to tipping and are a millionaire.

Perhaps, next time you visit Oz and need a cab you effect a Paul Hogan accent ... "Gidday, mate, how're ya goin?" and they will take you where ever you want without asking for a tip.

[Super Nova]

I found this guide. Christ things has changed since I lived in Sydney and Melbourne. I never gave a tip until I started to travel OS.

Aussie, they suggests 10% for Taxis. What's our experience?

Tipping in Australia and New Zealand

Should You Tip? How Much Should You Tip?
Tipping is still quite a contentious issue in Australia and New Zealand.
Locals, particularly those away from urban areas, say: Don't.

Should you?
No hard and fast rule

The problem is there's no hard and fast rule to go by. Generally Australians and New Zealanders say tipping (see discussion) is not only unnecessary but also a practice to be abhorred since, or so the argument goes, Australian workers in the tourism and other service industries already get paid sufficiently.

In fact, as a practice, tipping is relatively new and has been brought Down Under by those coming from "tipping" societies, particularly Americans.

So should you tip?

I'm going out on a limb here and say Yes. But not always, and not even most of the time.

If you're in a popular tourist destination area, I'd say you'd be expected to tip waiters in relatively upmarket restaurants, taxi drivers, hotel workers who carry your luggage to your room or otherwise provide room service.

This would apply, for instance, in city areas in Sydney or Melbourne and visitor-oriented districts such as The Rocks and Darling Harbour in Sydney and Southbank and Docklands in Melbourne.

The dilemma is in trying to find out where, and when, you should not tip.

If you make a mistake, you can always err in favor of whoever serves you by leaving a small gratuity.

How much to tip

Taxis: A maximum of 10 per cent of the fare should be all right. In fact, if you get change from the money you hand to the driver for your fare, the small change in coins is quite often sufficient. Outside of major metropolitan and tourist areas, a tip may not be required, but a small gratuity is always welcome.

Restaurant waiters: Depending on the area and type of restaurant, again a tip of no more than 10 per cent should suffice if you're pleased with the service. Also note if your restaurant bill includes a service charge, which works as a tip for those who serve you, in which case you don't have to leave an extra tip. (But you can if you want to.)

Hotel room service: For those who bring your baggage to your room, one to two dollars per piece of luggage should suffice. For those bringing in room service orders of food or drink, a small gratuity of two to five dollars, but no more than 10 per cent of the bill, should be all right.

For hairdressers, masseurs and masseuses, gym trainers and other personal service providers, tipping really depends on how much the service is worth to you above the normal charge. It would be good if you could get an inkling beforehand of what other people tip.

[Black Orchid]

When taxi drivers in Sydney learn English, know even remotely where they are going without needing basic directions (I don't mean streets I mean suburbs and where they are), stop talking into their bluetooth in a foreign language the whole trip, learn to use the brake and accelerator without slamming their foot on the pedals and automatically just round your fare up to the nearest dollar without giving you the option of saying "keep the change" - they might expect a tip. You barely get to go 500 metres for $5 now so they can shove the assumption of a tip

Wait staff, room service etc - yes. That has always been accepted/expected.

Hairdressers, masseurs, gym trainers etc - no. Maybe the cheaper ones but most charge exorbitant fees which should already include a tip.

In general though if you are provided with a service you are extremely happy with extend a tip but it shouldn't be expected. Most people just swipe their cards and go nowadays and without actually handling the cash many don't even think about it.