usvi-on-line
RickG's group travel rules for St. John
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Sun4MySoul
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- Location: NC
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crasherino
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- Location: NYC
That's a bad combo....in general, I am a little suspicious of people that don't drink. Yes, I realize that is a vast over-generalization as there are people that have medical issues, are recovering alcoholics, have religious issues and the like, and they can be perfectly fun, nice and interesting people, but until they confirm that they are in this category, I am a bit suspicious.Schnell wrote:Our upcoming trip is with my wife's father and his wife. I have a suspicion that someone is going to get pissed at someone....mainly FIL and myself. We don't always see eye to eye and he doesn't drink....therefore I am a drunk. Sweet, if I am going to be called one then I might as well live up to the name and enjoy it
Now, I'm not saying that everyone needs to turn into an obnoxious drunk - I'm not, I'm a hilarious and fun drunk - but if you aren't going to raise a glass with me at a socially acceptable time, I'm definitely wary.
Its worth noting that I am prone to making sweeping generalizations and draw outrageous conclusions based on little to no solid info and to stick by them in the face of all evidence to the contrary, so take that for what its worth.
Good rules to live by, Rick. As long as you get #1, none of the others are as important.
We are veterans of the big group trips also---we've had 4 trips to the islands with the same group of 5 couples (3 STJ trips, 1 to T&C). Have also done some family trips. No question that the herd moves slowly. But as you say, with 10 people you have a party. Fortunately, we all enjoy plenty of cocktails and sleeping in. We do rooms a bit differently---we draw straws---and that always seems to be the biggest issue. I have slowly learned that its easier with somewhat equal bedrooms. The other key is to make sure you are all comfortable spending about the same amount. We divide all checks equally and no one ever has an issue. Those big group dinners would be a lot less enjoyable if we spent half an hour figuring out who had what to drink. Its not as big a deal with just 2 couples. You are the master party planner!
We are veterans of the big group trips also---we've had 4 trips to the islands with the same group of 5 couples (3 STJ trips, 1 to T&C). Have also done some family trips. No question that the herd moves slowly. But as you say, with 10 people you have a party. Fortunately, we all enjoy plenty of cocktails and sleeping in. We do rooms a bit differently---we draw straws---and that always seems to be the biggest issue. I have slowly learned that its easier with somewhat equal bedrooms. The other key is to make sure you are all comfortable spending about the same amount. We divide all checks equally and no one ever has an issue. Those big group dinners would be a lot less enjoyable if we spent half an hour figuring out who had what to drink. Its not as big a deal with just 2 couples. You are the master party planner!
---Jim
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Sun4MySoul
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:37 pm
- Location: NC
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Sun4MySoul
- Posts: 524
- Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 1:37 pm
- Location: NC
I'll add one that I posted before -
If children are involved, make sure everyone is on the same page as it relates to kids and adult (drinking, smoking, etc.) behavior.
I have no problem with my son seeing his parents and their friends drink a beer before noon or smoke. It is vacation, not everyday real life behavior.
Some of my closest friends however would have a MAJOR problem with their kids seeing this type of thing.
Goes without saying, we don't vacation with those friends.
If children are involved, make sure everyone is on the same page as it relates to kids and adult (drinking, smoking, etc.) behavior.
I have no problem with my son seeing his parents and their friends drink a beer before noon or smoke. It is vacation, not everyday real life behavior.
Some of my closest friends however would have a MAJOR problem with their kids seeing this type of thing.
Goes without saying, we don't vacation with those friends.
It seems like the consensus is that Rule #1, no whiners, solves most problems.
I think there are a lot of strategies that work. Iowaguy has different approach that is successful.
One thing I've noticed, and I address this indirectly, is that when you mix people with different spending habits and different abilities to pay there is room for conflict. Group dinners provide the biggest opportunity for conflict - I put cash on the table and head to the bar when the calculators come out.
Cheers, RickG
I think there are a lot of strategies that work. Iowaguy has different approach that is successful.
One thing I've noticed, and I address this indirectly, is that when you mix people with different spending habits and different abilities to pay there is room for conflict. Group dinners provide the biggest opportunity for conflict - I put cash on the table and head to the bar when the calculators come out.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
And, have you ever noticed that the ones who run the waitstaff around like serfs are the ones who want to leave the lowest tip? GEESH!RickG wrote:One thing I've noticed, and I address this indirectly, is that when you mix people with different spending habits and different abilities to pay there is room for conflict. Group dinners provide the biggest opportunity for conflict - I put cash on the table and head to the bar when the calculators come out.
Cheers, RickG
During the all-girl portion of our just-back-from trip to STX I got so tired of the arguments about how much tip to leave that I just wanted to eat in at the villa instead of going out. One thing that puzzled me was one's very strong opinion that there should be different percentages of tip for different meals (like no more than 15% for a dinner check and 10% for a lunch check and less than 10% for a bar bill) - can anyone shed any light on that theory? I had never heard of that scale - I just thought you tipped for good service - no matter what time of day
.BEST rule is #1 - NO WHINERS!
- Margy
Fortunately, our group has never argued about tipping (they generally add 18% on automatically for larger groups anyway) but that would drive me a little nuts. I've gotta say---10% sounds really low for a lunch tip to me. I wouldn't want to go back to that restaurant again. I'm thinking that 15-20% is pretty much standard for any meal.
---Jim
Me, too, Iowaguy - 20% for really good service and more for extremely good service. If I tip low, it's for poor service and I note the reason on the check. I'm still stumped about that scale. Similar to Rick, I usually lay down cash and head for the loo when the girls bring out the calculators and start the in-depth argument - I keep thinking all we need are some church hats and support hose and we will be the cartoon of the crazy old broads arguing over the lunch check. 