Are $2 bills appreciated for tips?

[Ret MP]

15 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

 

 

Legal tender means the payment must be accepted in payment of a debt, not that it must be accepted for any transaction.

 

Specifically, the wording on US bills is "legal tender for all debts public and private".  US Code defines legal tender as "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues."

 

Even in the US, when you walk into a store and want to buy something, you don't have a debt, so paying with legal tender doesn't force the merchant to, for example, accept a $2 or payment all in pennies.  Even if they won't accept a $2 bill out of ignorance that $2 bills are in fact real currency, they're within their rights not to accept it.  Similarly, some convenience stores and small merchants post signs that they don't accept bills over $20; they're also within their rights to do so.

Duh!  Really?  Again, I don't think you actually read posts.  

[Cruise5life]

I was just at sea for 29 days.  And I spent 2.00 bills in every port.   Never an issue. Also tipped on board.  
but I always have a bunch of different denominations with me.  

Edited March 13, 2023 by Cruise5life

[time4u2go]

12 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

Tipping with $2 bills is akin to "Hey, look at me" in my opinion.

I suspect you are right. 

[ShillyShally]

1 hour ago, Cruise5life said:

I was just at sea for 29 days.  And I spent 2.00 bills in every port.   Never an issue. Also tipped on board.  
but I always have a bunch of different denominations with me.  

Great news!  That stack looks familiar to what I have, now to make sure I get them OUT of the bag I always keep them in and USE them!

[Hutcha]

13 hours ago, ronrythm said:

For all of you saying $2 bills are legal tender, they are not legal tender on RCI ships, because you are NOT IN THE USA. You are legally in the country of that ship’s registry. As soon as you cross the gangway, you left the USA. Please quit assuming that the laws of the USA are in effect everywhere in the world. That’s one of the things that makes Ugly American Tourists.

 

As to the part of using them for tipping, everyone who works in cash handling positions hates $2 bills. They don’t fit anywhere in a normal cash drawer. Most cash handlers will try to get rid of them as soon as possible, because they confuse things. Quite often they will be counted as the wrong denomination and your cash drawer won’t balance until you figure it out.

 

So you give a crew member a $2 bill. Are they going to turn it down? No, they are going to be as appreciative as possible in hopes of getting more of them. But since they are probably not going to be able to spend them if they get a day off in port (as the port merchants won’t take them. Period. They just don’t) they are going to have to probably put it on their shipboard account. Yes, they have shipboard accounts too. So they take their $2 bill to the Crew Purser and hope the Crew Purser is in a good mood. Because the Crew Purser is in a cash handling position and hates $2 bills as mentioned above. The Crew Purser is very important to crew members so they try not to piss them off. But they need to get rid of that $2 bill. Things to consider when you tip $2 bills.

BS! Royal uses them too. In the last $2 discussion I saw there was someone that reported getting them when they cashed out at the casino. And no, they weren't from crew members turning them in. These were brand new, sequential bills. Fresh out of a new stack

[moposh]

My daughter's great-grandmother sends my daughter a $2 bill with birthday cards.  I joke that she must have a printing press in the basement.  And I guess she doesn't know about inflation.  😁

[ShillyShally]

3 minutes ago, moposh said:

My daughter's great-grandmother sends my daughter a $2 bill with birthday cards.  I joke that she must have a printing press in the basement.  And I guess she doesn't know about inflation.  😁

Ha yep, I thought about saving some as future "tooth fairy" dollars but by then the kid will likely need a whole stack!

[moposh]

1 minute ago, ShillyShally said:

Ha yep, I thought about saving some as future "tooth fairy" dollars but by then the kid will likely need a whole stack!

I think the Tooth Fairy only left me a quarter so $2 is great!

[Ret MP]

15 hours ago, time4u2go said:

If a crew member didn't like them do you honestly think they would tell you?

There are tactful ways of doing it, anything actually.  "I'm sorry sir, there is no place on this ship that will take two dollar bills and my bank at home won't accept them, do you have other denominations, please".  That's never happened to me but I'd be happy to honor a request like that, if it did happen. 

 

For other critics of mine, as I said in an earlier post, there are ways of complaining and walking out of a business WITHOUT BEING AN "UGLY AMERICAN".   "I'm sorry, I don't speak your language and you aren't willing or can't speak mine".  "I'm sorry, this/these two-dollar bill(S) is all I have on my person, if you don't accept it, I guess I can't buy your product/service".  Again, I'm only talking about those countries and/or businesses that realize most of their revenue from Americans.  

[SummerBeee]

15 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

General rule should just be "Don't get cute".  Would they like a $2 bill more than no tip?  Of course.  But all things being equal, just be normal.  No $2 bills, no Susan B. Anthony coins, no chocolate bars or T-shirts from your hometown.  

Chocolate bars are appreciated, with a cash tip. Rice Krispy treats are a hit too. 
I like being “cute”

[Ret MP]

14 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

Tipping with $2 bills is akin to "Hey, look at me" in my opinion.    Not really necessary, but if it tickles your fancy, go for it.  

That is your opinion and you are welcome to it.  That doesn't mean you are right 100% of the time.  As I explained, I do it because 1. It is very convenient for me and 2. many crew members look happy when they receive them, others just don't seem to care.  And last, it is not necessary to pay or give tips with any specific demonization.   If you chose one-dollar bills, fine.  I won't criticize you for it.  I just happen to like to do so with two-dollar bills.  

 

Why does such a benign action/issue that has absolutely NO effect on anyone criticizing the action/issue have to get so confrontational?  If someone does something different and wants to explain why, fine.  But, the vitriol is palpable. 

 

Having said that, I've said all I can say, and no one has changed my mind or provided proof that two-dollar bills are going to be the end of the earth.  I'll continue doing what I said I have done or try to do in the past. 

[JHUNTGOLF]

I always take $2 bills to use for extra tips.  I find it really helps in having a bartender remember what my wife and I like to drink.  Nothing better in my opinion than having a bartender say, “Hi, Mr. John, Hendricks and tonic with a slice of cucumber and the usual classic Grey Goose martini for Miss Pat.”  I’ve always found that they really like the $2 bill.  Plus, it has a great picture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

John

 

[Cruise5life]

1 hour ago, Hutcha said:

BS! Royal uses them too. In the last $2 discussion I saw there was someone that reported getting them when they cashed out at the casino. And no, they weren't from crew members turning them in. These were brand new, sequential bills. Fresh out of a new stack

That was me.   And that was in a NCL cruise ship. 
but I still call BS on what he said. 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Cruise5life

[Husky1987]

39 minutes ago, SummerBeee said:

Chocolate bars are appreciated, with a cash tip. Rice Krispy treats are a hit too. 
I like being “cute”

Bingo.

[Jam0610]

6 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

Bingo.

Cash is always King.

 

GO COUGS....

[reallyitsmema]

32 minutes ago, JHUNTGOLF said:

I always take $2 bills to use for extra tips.  I find it really helps in having a bartender remember what my wife and I like to drink.  Nothing better in my opinion than having a bartender say, “Hi, Mr. John, Hendricks and tonic with a slice of cucumber and the usual classic Grey Goose martini for Miss Pat.”  I’ve always found that they really like the $2 bill.  Plus, it has a great picture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

John

 

 

Bartender remembers our names and drinks preferences without using two dollar bills.

[island lady]

In an honest discussion with several crew members, they all told us they very much dislike the 2.00 bills, as they have limited use for them.  Naturally they won't refuse them, accepting them with a smile to be polite...but it is not what they want.  

 

What is so hard about simply giving them two one dollar bills?  

[Ret MP]

1 minute ago, island lady said:

In an honest discussion with several crew members, they all told us they very much dislike the 2.00 bills, as they have limited use for them.  Naturally they won't refuse them, accepting them with a smile to be polite...but it is not what they want.  

 

What is so hard about simply giving them two one dollar bills?  

Just to answer the question and not debate it anymore, because it is convenient for ME/US. My wife and I are joined at the hip as far as going places and purchasing drinks, etc etc.  So, on a ship, I feel that $1.00 is a good additional tip for each drink we order (2 of them), so I reach into my pocket and pull out one bill, a two-dollar bill, without looking or fumbling around for the correct bill(s), my right pocket only has two-dollar bills in it.  And, I like the look on the faces of many, if not most, of the crew that receives them.  But, you are right, it is simple to pull out two one-dollar bills.  But, that isn't the most convenient for ME/US.  

 

NOTE:  This is mostly true for me/us while purchasing drinks or the like.  If in the specialty restaurant(s), no, I don't leave 10 or 15 two-dollar bills.  And I don't leave the Genie and/or cabin steward tips in two-dollar bills.  

[Cruise5life]

22 minutes ago, island lady said:

In an honest discussion with several crew members, they all told us they very much dislike the 2.00 bills, as they have limited use for them.  Naturally they won't refuse them, accepting them with a smile to be polite...but it is not what they want.  

 

What is so hard about simply giving them two one dollar bills?  

And I had an honest discussion with a bunch of crew members.  And they said they didn’t mind them.    They say they just cash in there crew bank. Or at the casino.         
I always get 2.00 from the casino 

 

 

[Cruise5life]

15 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Just to answer the question and not debate it anymore, because it is convenient for ME/US. My wife and I are joined at the hip as far as going places and purchasing drinks, etc etc.  So, on a ship, I feel that $1.00 is a good additional tip for each drink we order (2 of them), so I reach into my pocket and pull out one bill, a two-dollar bill, without looking or fumbling around for the correct bill(s), my right pocket only has two-dollar bills in it.  And, I like the look on the faces of many, if not most, of the crew that receives them.  But, you are right, it is simple to pull out two one-dollar bills.  But, that isn't the most convenient for ME/US.  

 

NOTE:  This is mostly true for me/us while purchasing drinks or the like.  If in the specialty restaurant(s), no, I don't leave 10 or 15 two-dollar bills.  And I don't leave the Genie and/or cabin steward tips in two-dollar bills.  

This is me 100%.   I always use 2.00 bills are the bars. Also for room service.   
but I have given my room stewards 2.00.  But that’s on too a regular tip. 
 

[HBE4]

With inflation, it's time to bring back the $2 bill!   Dollar stores are now $1.50 stores & even the 99 cent pizza joint has a hand written sign taped to the register stating price is "temporarily $1.25 a slice".  Temporary? yeah, right!

 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/17/business/2-dollar-bill-history/index.html 

 

I like the last line of the article.

"You will get remembered if you use a $2 bill,” Bennardo said. “It has this ability to connect people in way that other bills don’t. It opens up a dialogue between you and the cashier.”

“It’s a practical bill with inflation. But it’s social currency as well.”

 

More $2 bill fun facts:

https://www.cnbstl.com/about-us/news/the-history-of-the-two-dollar-bill 

 

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I saw a $2 bill. Didn't even know they still printed them.

 

[Longford]

Yes, $2 bills will be accepted ... but not appreciated.  Stick to currently circulated currency.  That's my opinion.

[Ret MP]

Two-dollar bills are still in circulation!  Currently, they aren't being printed.  But, that's a temporary thing as the amount in circulation is still at acceptable levels.  The two-dollar bills are not discontinued.  They will be printed again, if or when they are needed to be printed again.  

[island lady]

48 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Just to answer the question and not debate it anymore, because it is convenient for ME/US. My wife and I are joined at the hip as far as going places and purchasing drinks, etc etc.  So, on a ship, I feel that $1.00 is a good additional tip for each drink we order (2 of them), so I reach into my pocket and pull out one bill, a two-dollar bill, without looking or fumbling around for the correct bill(s), my right pocket only has two-dollar bills in it.  And, I like the look on the faces of many, if not most, of the crew that receives them.  But, you are right, it is simple to pull out two one-dollar bills.  But, that isn't the most convenient for ME/US.  

 

NOTE:  This is mostly true for me/us while purchasing drinks or the like.  If in the specialty restaurant(s), no, I don't leave 10 or 15 two-dollar bills.  And I don't leave the Genie and/or cabin steward tips in two-dollar bills.  

 

Thank goodness we are not all alike....it would be like a world with only one flavor of ice cream.  😲

 

Good for you it works for you.   Myself and Bucky...we stock our pocket with "tip kits".   I fold sets of two single dollar bills twice in half, and the single 5 dollar bills for all meals which are stacked in our back  pockets.  No fumbling for us either.  😉 

[ONECRUISER]

On 3/12/2023 at 8:52 AM, d9704011 said:

Exchange them for $1 and $5 notes.  

Getting a couple $2 every few years would then use them pay for anything just causes confusion as most say it's not real, fake. It's like the $1 coins that never take and Govt is then stuck with Billion's of them. They then try unload them on anyone making purchase from Govt Postage Stamp Vending Machines.