First of all, an update. The tribute will be ready on Monday--hallelujah--and it is going to cost about 250.00 less than we thought it was going to cost. Double Hallelujah!!
Okay, so on to the advice.
First of all, I was just at Sonic purchasing two large diet cokes (one was for Scott. I have not reached such a low that I am now buying two larges for myself), and the age old question presented itself--at Sonic, do I tip? And if so, how much? As you know, I am at Sonic a whole lot because, obviously, Sonic has the best diet coke in the whole entire world. So, how much do I need to be tipping these "car hops?" What do you think?
And while I getting your input, can I ask a few more questions. Right now Scott and I are borrowing a camera from a friend, so we eventually need to purchase our own. I would love to use this time to be stocking a bit of cash away to really invest in a good camera. I think it is a worthy investment considering that we will be taking pictures of our child(ren) for many years to come. So, what kind of camera does this amateur need to buy? I want something that doesn't require me to use a flash inside. Is that possible? I also need something that is easy to use. I hate the way pictures look with the flash, but the pictures always turn out so dark if I take them without it. Please, help me.
Okay, final question. Do any of you moms actually use a jogging stroller to jog? I bought a used one on Craigslist for next-to-nothing, and, honestly, I hate it. I can't run with it. Is there a jogging stroller out there that actually works well for jogging? If so, what is it?
Okay, that's all for now. I love that the internet allows me to ask questions to so many people at one time. Please, answer away:)
10 comments:
HEY! There are great dSLR cameras out there in the $400-$500 range that you would really like and can get the "no flash inside" deal with or the "focus in the front blurry in the back" look. I personally like Nikon and in that range you would look for a D40 or D60. Canon has some out there that are great too in that same price range... Canon Rebel. Go to dpreview.com and you can compare side by side!!!!
LB, My sister in law is a carhop at Sonic, and she says that it is expected to get a tip regardless of what/how much you order. So, if you're getting a Coke, maybe just a quarter? She says to still go by the 10%-15% rule, that you should still definately tip because they're still making the same trip to your car no matter what you order.
Hope that helps!
I agree w/ her - I can send you a few links for dSLRs that I priced. And, the great thing is that you could look for a D40 (the older version of what's out there now). The price will be great, and any website will tell you that the "upgrade" is not worth the money. For what you're looking for, the older version is perfect.
Alternatively, there are some fabulous point & shoots (p&s) out there for less than $200. My old one was a great camera and allowed you to do some fun things like zoom super far, blur the background or go w/o a flash. The main problem w/ taking pictures indoors w/o a flash is that there isn't enough light - make sure you take them in the daytime and you should be good to go...
I'll start looking and see what I can find to send you...
and, who knew about tipping at sonic. not me!
I love the questions...I am needing some of those answered myself!! :)
Glad to hear the car is going to be working again soon. It looks like you guys had a great time though.
I would say no to tipping at Sonic for diet cokes. But, yes to tipping if you order a meal and eat it there. ???
I have a jogging stroller that I use for walking Caroline. It's NOT good for jogging. I posted something similar to this a while back and everyone suggested the BOB revolution stroller (around $300). :(
these answers are so helpful. I knew ya'll would come through. The camera answers are especially helfpul. I started googling last night, and some that I was looking at were the in the thousands range, and I was feeling a bit in over my head. The 500 range seems like a more attainable goal.
I've got nothing to offer on the camera or the jogging stroller, but the tipping at Sonic confuses me as well. My thought is that they make at least minimum wage, not a waitress's hourly rate, and therfore, should not expect to rely on tips for their compensation. Plus, I have noticed that since they have made it where you can swipe your card at the car, there is no option to add a tip. That tells me it may not be expected...and since I almost never have cash, it doesn't leave me much of an option.
I don't know about strollers or cameras. My digital camera is a Polaroid my husband bought for me about 4 or 5 years ago. It costed under $100. It takes decent still pics outside, but needs a flash inside. Also, the auto-focus and ability to take shots of, say, Chris playing baseball and football leaves much to desire.
At Sonic, if we order a lot of food, or call a carhop out for more than an initial order (like if we decide after we eat that we want ice cream) then I definately tip. Other than that, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. If I tip, I always give a couple of dollars, at least enough to get a snack or drink there while they work. I know most people who work in fast food places get one free meal during their shift if they work so many hours, or work during a meal time. But I like to at least give them enough to do something with, not just a quarter or two.
Sometimes, if we've been a bother or order a large amount of food, I'll tip enough to buy a small meal for themselves. Mainly because I've worked fast food, in high school, and it is not a really fun job a lot of the time. I hated it. Minimum pay for (sometimes) a lot of work. Imagine Domino's or somewhere like that on a Friday or Saturday night. You know, when you call in your pickup or delivery order, and you get told there's some extreme wait time, like 45 minutes or an hour or more??? Yeah, that's because they're that busy, really and truly. It sucks. (Sorry, best I can put it.) You go home exhausted, after going to school all day, and think about how you're thankful to have a job, but you hate the thought that you just busted your rump all evening for, like, $20 to 30, give or take. It blows.
Some folks like the BOB strollers, but being from Track Town USA and around a lot of avid runners, I am very partial to the "Baby Jogger" (it's made in OR). We have had ours since Torbin was born and have put a lot of mileage on it running (mainly Torey). You would not believe how easy it is to steer and light to push. We have a double and a single and are big fans of the 20" wheels.
Hey LB,
Glad for the good news on the car...hopefully Joey and Taylor can get the other one fixed for y'all too!! As far as cameras, we paid about $250 on ebay for a Sony DSC-H7. I really like it because it's not too high tech for me but I can still turn the flash on and off like I want and it still has action shot options and stuff. You may want something even nice though, since you said y'all are looking in the $500 range.
You can often fix the "flash" look of photos in photoshop by warming the colors up a little bit, or sometimes taking the exposure down. I am no expert, however :)
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