554711 Thu Sep 04 12:27:16 -0700 2008 3 29 Not About Food 0 4008803 For the last few years in NYC, taxi drivers (who are almost all foreign-born) have stopped giving change. If, for instance, you have a $6.40 fare and give them a $10, they'll give you $3 back. If you ask for change, they act amazed, or claim they have no coins. One guy claimed that customers got angry when he gave them their change. This has infuriatated me to the point where I just leave the cab, snapping that I was about to give them a tip, but they can keep the measly 60c (or whatever, instead). Now, for the first time, I've had that happen in a restaurant. I was in a small, cheap Cuban restaurant, gave the waitress $7 for my $6.40 bill, and she bustled about with other things, but never brought back change. I contemplated having a fight about it, but I wasn't in the mood. I sat there at leisure reading...and finding left. I was about to tip her 20%-30% ($1.20-$1.50), but instead left her with her measly 60c. I've never done anything like that before in a restaurant - and I'm sure some of you will berate me - but I'm curious if you see it, too. Thu Sep 04 12:27:16 -0700 2008 13871 Fida 1 4008837 It's been discussed here before: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/539551 Thu Sep 04 12:38:28 -0700 2008 4008803 10216 Lucia 1 4008865 The only time I've seen this happen is when it's in the customer's favor. For example, if I pay my bill and I'm due $7.75 in change, sometimes I'll just get $8 back. I'm not sure I understand why you paid the way you did, though. If you were going to leave her $1.50 on your $6.40 bill, why didn't you just give her $8 and be done with it? If I were her I would have assumed you were leaving me a 60 cent tip. It's not like your bill was $42 and all you had to pay with were $20 bills, in which case you'd need the change to leave an appropriate tip. Thu Sep 04 12:46:44 -0700 2008 4008803 29811 Buckethead 1 4009692 coffee shops have begun to do this, and will no longer accept pennies. http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/09/01/ns-pennyban0901.html (they round up some items, round some down, so if you only buy coffee and that's a rounded up item, well, you're out of luck) I've had it happen a couple of times in taxis and i'm sure once in a restaurant. it feels to me like they're helping themselves to my money, which should be my choice to give. hey i might need the quarter to make a phone call. but just to play devil's advocate, i guess we can't stew unless we speak up about it and ask for the change back. Thu Sep 04 18:24:13 -0700 2008 4008803 153184 im_nomad