Picture perfect Queenstown - home of Lord of the Rings.
So I arrived today into Queenstown – argh – so frustrating – wrote the whole blog and the stupid software burped on me and spit it out. Now I must start again and I have limited wireless access. Grrrrrr… If I don’t finish hold on tight til next time.
So I was embellishing on Queenstown and how gorgeous it is. Some of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed around here. It is spectacular. A mini Whistler perhaps but that only describes the winter months. It is year round here, with paragliding, wind surfing, skiing, hiking (trekking as the Kiwi’s call it), cruising, bungy jumping, chilling and relaxing to name a few.
Downtown Queenstown
Gorgeous mountains around Queenstown.
New Zealand appears a bit more expensive on the surface. But it is $0.75 to our $1.00. Not only that, once again taxes are included in the posted price and their is not tipping. So what is listed is what you are going to pay. Say something in Canada costs $8. Once you add our HST, now averaging about 12%, you are at $9. Then add the tip – assuming this is a food item – which these days is expected to be about 15 – 20% (which I think is ridiculous) you are paying about $11. So that similar item in New Zealand likely costs about $10. So at the end is only $7.50 CAD. So one might argue it is cheaper in NZ. But that is just looking at food items. Since I am travelling, food really is my main cost. Well that and accommodation. But it really does miff me that we can’t just include tax in our listed prices in Canada and that we keep our hospitality industry paid so poorly that exorbinant tipping is expected of us.
I like New Zealand’s approach. Their hospitality is paid better – a living wage – the service is consistent and honestly, I see most people living a pretty good life here. So since this is the second country I have been in where tipping is not expected, something must be for that approach.
Hmmm … guess I have digressed. Onto other topics and another blog.
I agree – it would be wonderful to see the actual price – I think what we do in Canada and America is silly. Actually in Britain the price you see is what you pay although you do tip there.
But I don’t think you are expected to tip 15-20% are you?
Queenstown certainly does look very inviting.
I think one does tip around 10 – 15%. The British are not very good tippers.
Or is that the Scottish !!! :o)