Are $2 bills appreciated for tips?

[Ret MP]

6 minutes ago, Blur said:

Ok I didn't think I had to explain this but by special order... I meant "order" since the teller couldn't just hand me the bills right there and then like they could with singles, fives, 20s, 50s, 100s unless you were withdrawing a huge amount!  It's like inventory in a store, people will keep inventory of things that get requested often otherwise it's just wasting space.

 

I only tried to get a stack of $2 once and it's not like she said no... She was like we would have to order it and you would need to come back... Lol

If you want a stack of 5s, for example, and they are running short, which is more than possible, you'd have to come back or go elsewhere.  I don't see the difference. And many banks do carry them, it's usually a matter of timing.  And I do agree that it's very unlikely that a bank is going to have a big run on $2.00.

 

BTW, words mean things.  

Edited March 13, 2023 by Ret MP

[Ret MP]

Okay, this subject has jumped the shark, and the dead horse has been beaten ad nauseam.  For the final time, I've said what I've said and I don't reverse anything I've said, I stand by it.  So, I am out for sure.  If someone posts something that I've got verifiably wrong, I'll admit to it and apologize for any misdirection that it may have caused.  

[Blur]

8 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

If you want a stack of 5s, for example, and they are running short, which is more than possible, you'd have to come back or go elsewhere.  I don't see the difference. And many banks do carry them, it's usually a matter of timing.  And I do agree that it's very unlikely that a bank is going to have a big run on $2.00.

 

BTW, words mean things.  

Rgr I think that's all we are saying.  $2 bills are uncommon.  Chances are high if I go to any bank I can get a stack of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 bills.  $2 bills chances are high it's the reverse.

 

You do you.  Be unique and give $2 bills.  I am sure some find it fun to receive but I would bet more than 50% of service staff who are used to getting tips prefer easier to use money.

[Cruise5life]

44 minutes ago, Blur said:

They probably knew you were coming?

 

That guy/girl is here again... Someone go grab the $2s.

 

Are you seriously thinking every bank does this?  I am ok with you using $2.. that's all you but don't try to make it sound like it's normal lol.

Even you said it.    If they seen me coming.  Go grab some 2.00.  Lol.    

So they do have some at the bank. Lol.  
And I dont know what other banks do.   I just know my bank always has them

When I need them.   

And I just did 29 days at see.   And purposely spent 2.00 bills at every port to buy something without any issues.  

[Charles4515]

50 minutes ago, Blur said:

You do you.  Be unique and give $2 bills.  I am sure some find it fun to receive but I would bet more than 50% of service staff who are used to getting tips prefer easier to use money.

Some people make a point of being  unique. I see a number of people on cruises with tattoos everywhere on their body. To me yuck but to each their own. While most of the staff probably prefers not to get $2 bills, I don't think it is polite but it seems to be only somewhat unique among cruisers. A couple on Cruise Critic years ago advised everyone to use $2 bills and it sort of became viral. I am sure there is a litany  of obnoxius things like $2 bill tipping that some crew rolls their eyes about but I am sure crew will find some way to use any  $2 bills they recieve. 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Charles4515

[taglovestocruise]

3 hours ago, Ret MP said:

Sorry, but I find this childish.  My opinion (period)!

Passing out $2 bills to anyone over six years old is childish. 

[Qextor]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:51 AM, lenquixote66 said:

She asked where I was travelling to and I said Alaska.  Her reply “someday I want to go to that country"

I was working at a UK grocery store many years ago.  The local paper ran some  'Things to know about the Canadian provinces' articles.  I showed the one about British Columbia to a coworker, and mentioned BC was my home province.  She replied 'I thought you said you were from *Canada*', as if I had been misleading her all this time.

Edited March 14, 2023 by Qextor

[ramja96]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:59 AM, ShillyShally said:

I’m not particularly fond of giving something that someone can’t really use.

 

It's US currency, no different at all from any other denomination. It can certainly be used anywhere US currency is accepted.

[not-enough-cruising]

14 minutes ago, ramja96 said:

 

It's US currency, no different at all from any other denomination. It can certainly be used anywhere US currency is accepted.

No, not really. It has already been established that many retailers, even those in the US will not accept them. 

[jencruzin]

Geat for bartender tips, we've used them before for that. But that's about the extent of our tipping unless the room steward goes out of the ordinary and does extra things. Gratuities paid in advance....

[time4u2go]

6 hours ago, ramja96 said:

 

It's US currency, no different at all from any other denomination. It can certainly be used anywhere US currency is accepted.

It IS different from any other denomination. Most cash drawers don't have a place for it. Some people don't even know it exists. Some retailers don't want to accept it.

[jean87510]

IMO stop forcing $2 and give 2 separate $1s.  If it's too bulky split in 2 envelopes and pretend you are carrying 2 packs of $2 bills.  There's been multiple stories over the years these aren't liked by staff.  Goes along with giving mary jane candy, t shirts from your home town and caps.  Just give the ones and stop enforcing your crap on the staff.

[Blur]

9 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

IMO stop forcing $2 and give 2 separate $1s.  If it's too bulky split in 2 envelopes and pretend you are carrying 2 packs of $2 bills.  There's been multiple stories over the years these aren't liked by staff.  Goes along with giving mary jane candy, t shirts from your home town and caps.  Just give the ones and stop enforcing your crap on the staff.

I don't think you are convincing any people in the $2 camp to change their ways lol... Prob make them want to do it even more.

 

Different method... Hey guys/gals if you really want to feel special, just give $5 bills... Not only is it more common and easy to use, the staff would prob love you even more!

Edited March 14, 2023 by Blur

[Blur]

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

It IS different from any other denomination. Most cash drawers don't have a place for it. Some people don't even know it exists. Some retailers don't want to accept it.

Funny part is with all the $50 counterfeiting going on many places won't even take $50s which is extra annoying since most atms used to mainly give $50s.  Now atms are back to $100, $20, $10s.

[Hutcha]

I want to tip my genie $700 on my next cruise. I hear $100 bills can sometimes be difficult for them to spend in port. I plan on giving 140 $5 bills instead. Gotta make it easy for him!

[Blur]

1 minute ago, Hutcha said:

I want to tip my genie $700 on my next cruise. I hear $100 bills can sometimes be difficult for them to spend in port. I plan on giving 140 $5 bills instead. Gotta make it easy for him!

Why not singles and make it rain?  😋

 

But if you're serious and want to be nice $20s would be best in that scenario?  😉

[Charles4515]

32 minutes ago, Blur said:

Funny part is with all the $50 counterfeiting going on many places won't even take $50s which is extra annoying since most atms used to mainly give $50s.  Now atms are back to $100, $20, $10s.

I always stick to $20's as some places don't want to take $50 or $100 denominations. Some places won't take cash at all. I only use cash at my barber who does not take credit cards. My bank closed most branches here and I don't want to drive to the bank branch open 9 miles away but has an ATM in the neighborhood at Target. There are a lot of banks in my neighborhood but the when I went to change a $100 someone gave me the Wells Fargo would not change it because I did not have an account. 

[Blur]

14 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I always stick to $20's as some places don't want to take $50 or $100 denominations. Some places won't take cash at all. I only use cash at my barber who does not take credit cards. My bank closed most branches here and I don't want to drive to the bank branch open 9 miles away but has an ATM in the neighborhood at Target. There are a lot of banks in my neighborhood but the when I went to change a $100 someone gave me the Wells Fargo would not change it because I did not have an account. 

Same and I use bank of America.  Usually do $100s and $20s on normal withdrawals.  Most people use plastic these days, but doesn't hurt to have some cash for places that require it. 

 

Unless I am going on a cruise and then will get $1s, $5s, $10s, $20s and $100s (just for casino table games).  I used to use $50s for tips but with people complaining about stores not taking $50s due to counterfeiting issues switched to $20s.

[Longford]

2 hours ago, Blur said:

I don't think you are convincing any people in the $2 camp to change their ways lol...

 

Ignorance is bliss.

[island lady]

OK...bottom line is that those that think giving 2 dollar bills is "cute" just are not realizing it is not what the servers want.  

 

Geez...people either give them usable single dollar bills...or as previously suggested....cough it up and give them a "fiver" for those two drinks.   You want to stand out as special with those 2.00 bills...how about standing out as more special and give your waiter/bartender a "fiver" they can actually use for those two drinks....we do quite often.  

 

Guess which gets way more attention than your 2.00 bills.  😉 

[Mark_K]

17 hours ago, Qextor said:

I was working at a UK grocery store many years ago.  The local paper ran some  'Things to know about the Canadian provinces' articles.  I showed the one about British Columbia to a coworker, and mentioned BC was my home province.  She replied 'I thought you said you were from *Canada*', as if I had been misleading her all this time.

I have friends who live in Ontario that pretty much think BC is a different country. 😉

[poocher]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

I always stick to $20's as some places don't want to take $50 or $100 denominations. Some places won't take cash at all. I only use cash at my barber who does not take credit cards. My bank closed most branches here and I don't want to drive to the bank branch open 9 miles away but has an ATM in the neighborhood at Target. There are a lot of banks in my neighborhood but the when I went to change a $100 someone gave me the Wells Fargo would not change it because I did not have an account. 

Don’t know of any bank that will process a transaction, and yes changing a bill for smaller denominations is a transaction, without an account.

[cruisegus]

4 minutes ago, poocher said:

Don’t know of any bank that will process a transaction, and yes changing a bill for smaller denominations is a transaction, without an account.

That's on Wells Fargo mainly, Heck they don't even want to cash a check that's drawn on their bank if you don't have an account with them.

Edited March 14, 2023 by cruisegus

[birdylady]

On 3/12/2023 at 12:19 PM, taglovestocruise said:

Two Dollar bills given as tips are for the sole benefit of the giver. Makes them feel special. A total PIA for the crew member. 

Interesting take. My BIL always makes a point of using $2 bills as tips.  He thinks everyone loves them. Personally I found it ‘odd’ to say the least when he wrote notes on them to give to a waitress at a fine restaurant when we went out with him. Not judging anyone, just commenting.

Erika

[jean87510]

3 hours ago, Blur said:

I don't think you are convincing any people in the $2 camp to change their ways lol... Prob make them want to do it even more.

 

Different method... Hey guys/gals if you really want to feel special, just give $5 bills... Not only is it more common and easy to use, the staff would prob love you even more!

Probably not.  But it was worth a shot.