There’s something to be said about being able to pull up to the front door of the grocery store, get out and let someone else park the car. Here in south Florida, we have valet parking for just about everything. Grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, golf courses, clubs, even the airports offer valet parking. One business owner jokingly told me that valet is so prevalent because most of the people who live “down here” can’t walk more than a few feet to the door.
All kidding aside, I tend to believe him.
For the most part, valet parking is free, with the exception of the tip. So what do you tip a valet parking attendant? Generally speaking, $2 with some tippers tipping up to $5. I stick with the customary $2. As a friend of mine once said, “I’m not paying his mortgage.”
My preferred bill of choice for the tip is perhaps the most intricate and beautiful of all United States currency, the two-dollar bill. Knowing I go through quite a bit of these things, my bank keeps a supply on hand for me. Fresh, crisp and sequentially numbered. I stopped by the branch yesterday to pick up a new supply and posted a picture of the stack on my Facebook wall. The picture resulted in some folks sending me emails asking where they could get some, wondering why I’m using them since they’re not made anymore, and telling me I should sell them on eBay.
While most people think the $2 bill has been retired and has become a collectors item, I’m here to assure you (much to the chagrin of retailers nationwide) that the two is alive and kicking. And it’s only worth two bucks. Here are some other interesting facts regarding $2 bills, lovingly referred to as “Jeffersons”:
- The last time a $2 bill was printed was in 2012 when 134,400,000 of them were printed.
- The current series of $2 bills is the 2003A series.
- The bill was discontinued in 1966 but was brought back in 1976 as part of the country’s bicentennial celebration.
- Some vending machines, self-checkouts, etc will accept a $2 although most will not.
- $2 bills are only printed on demand and are printed less frequently and in less quantity than other bills.
- The $2 is often mistaken for counterfeit currency as many are unfamiliar with the “obscure” bill.
- $1.1 billion worth of $2 bills are currently in circulation – many of those are being held by those who think they’re worth something.
- The only $2 that may have value above its face value, is one with red treasury marks on it. No red, you’re out of luck.
- A business is not obligated to take the $2 bill. Then again, they’re not obligated to take any denomination of currency.
- Cash registers are not configured to accept a $2.
- Strip clubs are notorious users of $2 bills. When a patron asks for change, they give them two-dollar bills to encourage them to tip more.
- Most banks keep a supply of $2 bills on hand, but only hand them out on request.
So whether you have a valet to tip or you’re a little short of cash and have been afraid to spend those couple of two’s you’ve been hanging on to thinking they were worth something, use the two! You’ll be surprised at the looks you’ll receive when you use them.