READER WRITE IN - DID I DO THAT?

Today's your lucky day folks, it's Thursday. Despite the fact that a monster snurricane is currently destroying New York City (and my travel plans), we still have a job to do. We're like the Postal Service at this blog, neither snow, nor rain, nor the Winter Olympics on the TV directly to my left can stop us from reader write-in Thursday. For the record, did you know that the whole 'snow nor rain nor gloom of night' thing isn't the Postal Service's official creed? They don't even have one! I feel like I've been lied to since grade school.

Anyway, it's Thursday, and that means we'll use one of your written-in questions for today's post. Believe us, there were LOTS to pick from, but lucky Michael got the draw today. Why did he get chosen over your E-mail? Not sure why really, but he did. And although I have a feeling the voting will sway heavily during this poll, we're going to need you New York (and beyond) to make an official ruling on this one.

Michael write us:

"So this morning I was walking to get into the Subway at Union Square. When I go pick up the AM New York, my preferred free daily newspaper, I accidently knocked my laptop case into the stand for the Metro.

(Cue the soundbite)

I noticed this when I was five feet away from the stand. Do I, turn around and attempt to mobilize a troop to lift up the stand and put up the paper or walk away and let the guy who's job it is to hand out the metro fix it? As I walked away I did here somebody yell "hey, you knocked down the stand. ASSHOLE!"


Oh Michael, Michael, Michael. That wasn't just somebody calling you an asshole as you rushed yourself down the platform, pretty sure that was the collective voice of the universe. You see, it's as age-old as the Carnegie Deli or gravity. When you knock someone's stuff over, you pick it up! I remember learning that lesson in pre-school. Believe me, there wasn't a cute three-year-old blond who went more than five seconds without her legos being toppled over and picked up by gentleman Dan. It's just how I do it. You might have been absent for that lesson for all I know.

Anyway, I apologize. It's not up to me! It's up to the voters to decide what exactly should be done in this type of situation. So New York, we ask you:

Am I supposed to pick up someones stuff I knocked over, even if I've already made my way down the platform/street/sidewalk?

SNEEZE LOUISE

Alright folks. Its raining and gross outside, and that always puts me in a foul mood. You know why? Because NOTHING is grosser than New York in the rain. Cars splash water everywhere, giant foot-deep puddles roam the streets, and I never EVER remember to bring an umbrella. Luckily, there are kind gentlemen on every corner willing to sell me something that resembles an umbrella and covers me from the rain for abooooout 1.8 seconds. That is, until a gust of wind picks up and turns it into sad sidewalk art.

But the worst part about bad New York weather is always the subway. Even with a light rain, the trains runs slower, it's more crowded, everyone is dripping wet, and the whole car smells like a wet dog. And today was no different. People shoved onto the car, the conductor is skipping different stations willy nilly, and some old man is breathing a little too heavy on my neck (as if ANY breathing on my neck from this guy wouldn't have been the most uncomfortable feeling I've ever experienced). Suddenly and without warning, the lady next to sneezed the LOUDEST two sneezes I've ever heard. And I mean loud. I'm jamming out to some Miley (don't you dare judge me), and she totally interrupted my rocking, even though MC was partying real hard in the USA (it gets me jacked up for my day, OK???).

Well, I consider myself a nice southern gentleman, so I turn to the subway sneeze lady and tell her "Gesundheit!" (little known fact, Gesundheit is Yiddush for health. See? We're such an educational blog). Just after I say this, she sneezed a third time, and I told her "Gawblessyou" (English for "Gesundheit", I think?). THEN she throws out a fourth, enormous, lung clearing bruiser of a sneeze.

Now, this sneezer is a total stranger, we're on a crowded subway, and I've already given my 2 canned responses to the sneeze. No way I'm throwing another out to this lady. But it got me thinking. In a situation when I'm with a person I know and care deeply about, how long is this sneeze response madness supposed to go on for?

So readers, I ask you this,

Am I supposed to throw out a "Gesundheit" or "Gawblessyou" everytime a friend of mine sneezes?

AND I, LEARNED SOMETHING THIS WEEKEND

If you've been reading this blog, which we know you have been because you're obviously reading this now, you're without a doubt smarter than before you found our site. Last week alone we learned a many things which have escaped New Yorker's for years - when to tip your street meat vendor, and when to resist your caped crusader impulses.

However, as another week is in the books, it's time to reflect on the knowledge we've (with your help) bestowed upon you.

1.) Cabbies in New York are for the most part, terrible, awful drivers. I can't count as high as the number of times I've feared for my life while trying to ride a simple 30 blocks. The thought of 'why didn't I just swipe that little card and use the trusty subway system' routinely enters my mind as my face gets smashed against the Plexiglas, where the greasy face stains from the last schlep who got tossed around still lie. However, we've learned that we, in no way, should ever tip a cab driver when he gets in an accident - regardless of fault, or how well he sings. A whopping 66% of you chimed in on this, and a new rule was set. NO PAYING.

2.) Thursday was a big day for AmISupposedtoTipThatGuy. We launched a new feature which features well....you! Every Thursday, a reader-submitted poll will be uploaded proving that the American public does still have a voice! Andrew had E-mailed us a question which had been plaguing tourists for centuries, and after our closest vote ever, a solution was found! In a poll decided by only four votes (4!) it was chosen that, even if you're amazingly talented and can handle placing your own bags in the back of a car...you should leave it to the professional. That bellhop has a job, and damn he's good at it. Throw him a buck or two...it'll probably impress that lady (or guy) friend you're with. We're not saying you have to pull a Lloyd when walking out of your neighborhood Motel 6, but show the guy you approve of his bagging skills.

READER WRITE IN - BELLHOP'S REVENGE

Hey readers, remember way back when you were all little lads and lassies and you were allowed to dream big? Like reaaaaal big. You wanted to have a pony, fly to the moon, or be a ninja (still have that one myself).

Well, our loyal fan Andrew still dreams big. And his big dreams have paid off in a major way, as Andrew becomes our first guest for write-in Thursday! Congratulations Andrew, we're sure this will be the greatest day of your life, so enjoy it.

And, without further adieu:

"So my parents visited New York last week, and were staying at a very nice hotel (the Waldorf). I was with them to see them off to the airport. After checking out, we walked out of the hotel with their suitcases in hand. We're about halfway out the door and see two cabs sitting in front of the hotel.

At that point, the hotel bellhop runs up through the doors and says "here, let me get you a cab", grabs the suitcase out of my hand, and puts it in the trunk of a cab.

So, "experts", should I tip the bellhop? Because I sure didn't ask him to do that, and I definitely could have loaded my parents suitcase into the cab.

-Andrew

Oh sweet, sweet Andrew, how you bring us back to our roots. It's been over a week since our last tipping post (WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!?), and this is a good one, one we come across pretty much whenever we travel, since pretty much all bags are on wheels now, and the need for bag-dudes is at an all time low (Do they even make bags without wheels anymore? If so, screw you Samsonite. Bags without wheels are the WORST). But enough rambling and run-on sentences. It's Andrew's day to shine people. So he asks you...

Are we supposed to tip that bellboy for doing a job we are already doing ourselves?



Want to get super-famous just like Andrew? Write in your random "am I supposed to" question! Its like, totally worth the time it takes to write an email.


E-MAIL US!

BARRY AND AMJAD'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

So I was heading home from work a few weeks ago, and it was pouring outside. I hailed a cab (I'm absolutely spectacular at hailing cabs. Rain, snow, crowds - no matter. I see that little light on top and pounce like a cheetah) and headed uptown to my apartment.

From work to home is maybe a 10 minute ride. The heavy rain should slow my cab driver Amjad down, but he was speeding up 6th Ave like he was James Marsden or something. Meanwhile, I'm in the backseat kiiiiiinda freaking out - with good reason - we're near 80mph (please note, I'm a terrible guesstimator) and he wants to go faster!

About 7 seconds later, my man Amjad wanted to switch lanes. Unfortunately, another driver had the same idea, and BAM! Not a terrible accident (I'M FINE THANKS FOR ASKING), but lets just say that nifty plexiglas did its part. By now, Amjad is yelling what I imagine was some seriously foul language before turning around to check on me (YES AMJAD, I'M FINE THANKS FOR ASKING). He then throws this one at me: "So, so sorry about that other cab, crazy driver. That will be $3.80"

In my shaken state, I couldn't even fathom arguing with the man. I gave Amjad $4 and got out before I realized what I'd done. I look up and I'm at 6th Ave and Downing St. Where is that, you ask? NOWHERE CLOSE TO MY APARTMENT, THAT'S WHERE. He took me a whopping 6 blocks! As I'm getting rained on staring at these two gentleman cabbies scream at each other, I started chatting with some tall guy who got out of the other cab from the accident:

Me: Man, what a mess
Tall Stranger: Yeah, luckily I'm only a block away, and hey, free cab ride.
Me: Oh nice, lucky. Wait, what? Free cab ride?
Tall Stranger: Yeah, free. He got in a crash when I was in the cab... You paid?
Me: Yeah... I'm like 30 blocks away still.
Tall, Smug Stranger: Oh.. sucker.

OK, tall stranger didn't call me a sucker. But I could TOTALLY see the smugness in his eyes.

Anyway voters, we ask you this...

Am I supposed to pay that cab driver when he gets in a crash, be it a mere fender bender?

AND I, LEARNED SOMETHING THIS WEEKEND

So if you haven't been able to tell already, Am I Supposed to Tip That Guy is quickly becoming one of the internet's most reliable sources for situational information. No, we won't be able to solve your math homework or tell you whether or not your boyfriend is really that into you, but you can take to the bank the fact that we'll be there to solve all of your awkward situation questions.

After week one, we've already learned two very important lessons.

1.) While yes, Barry may be extremely cheap, he wasn't wrong to not tip the food cart guy. The majority (53%) of you voted that while you don't have to tip all of the time, it's certainly not wrong to throw the guy a buck or two if he's friendly and conversational. Never tip however, and you'll probably be receiving more than his greasy fingers in your chicken and rice. Keep that in mind the next time you think about saving that extra buck for a scratch off ticket next door.

2.) We also learned when and when not to play hero. I mean, I still wake up every morning wondering what damsel I'm going to have to save from a shifty subway rider or an unsuspecting set of stairs, however, the voting has shown there's a time and a place. 75% have chosen that if someone beats you to the situation, move along. If an old woman drops her change purse, she probably doesn't need six dudes arguing over who picked up the most quarters. Just leave it be.

All in all, it was a great start to the site and thanks for voting. Stay tuned for more questions, as the site will be updated with about two situations a week. Have any comments or questions of your own you'd like to see posted? Send us an E-mail and keep an eye out for a quick response because we'll probably check it while we're supposed to be doing other things at work.

Oh, and if you haven't, follow us on Twitter. We're pretty viral.

HERO NO. 2

As we all know very well by now, this winter hasn't been especially kind to anyone. Blizzard warnings left and right, NYC schools closing down - heck, even the people on The Weather Channel named the month February of Fury. Anyway, I'm walking to work the other day (early as usual) and the sidewalks are a bit icy. Not too bad, but I wasn't exactly jogging.

As I'm crossing the street I notice a women in her mid 50's take a little tumble as she's fumbling with her phone. Scratch that, she fell, hard. At that very moment I think everyone in a one-block radius learned that black ice and Blackberry's don't mix. Obviously, as a good Samaritan and citizen of New York I am certainly going to stop, help her up, pick up her things and make sure she's OK etc. etc. However, as I'm rushing to her aide, some other guy comes barreling in like he's James Marsden or something and gets to her before I can. Obviously, this guy wanted to play hero more than me. I was lost. Do I stop and help as well? Act like it never happened? Laugh?!

Now New York, here's where I need your help. Because I have two options here, and I'm not exactly sure what the protocol is.

Am I supposed to be hero number two?

AND SO IT BEGINS...

So Dan and I ordered street meat yesterday. The street vendor seemed to be in an especially good mood, chatting us up as we waited for our food, laughing at our jokes, just being a friendly guy, you know. Just good ol’ fashioned NY banter. The dude even gave us a little extra chicken, mixed the food up...the works. We each had six bucks ready, but as the guy handed us our food, he exclaimed “alright guys, $5 each.” Here's the dilemma: Give him the $6, or, gently slip that extra single back in the old back pocket and go with no tip?

I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s a dollar. I can handle tipping the guy a dollar. And, we were prepared for lunch to be $6... WE HAD $6 IN HAND! But when the guy at the sandwich place hits me up with an extra slice of provolone like he knows I like it, I don’t just toss the guy some extra bills. And sure, when the pizza guy down the street puts the garlic powder on my slice before he shoves it back into the oven (CHEESE + GARLIC + OVEN = VICTORY), I throw my change into the tip jar. But that’s different. That’s my spare change. I hate spare change. Who the hell likes to carry spare change?

Anyway, I digress. So people, we ask you this, because when it comes to this, we are obviously clueless.

Am I supposed to tip that guy?