WAITERS "TIPS" IN PARIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 195, 17 August 1900, Page 2

WAITERS "TIPS" IN PARIS.

The well-conditioned stranger, willing and able to do "the right thing" by all and sundry with whom he comes into contact when away from home, Is often puzzled as to the unwritten law relating to the question of pourboire to ministering spirits. In a delightful article in a German contemporary a Frenchman gives the following instructions concerning waiters' tips in Paris restaurants:—"The rule is a> ground tax of two sous per head, and one sou for every franc that is spent, and four sous when the meal is taken in cabinets particulars. If you adhere to this principle the waiter will give you a polite 'Thank you, sir,* and even help you Into your overcoat. Supposing three persons have breakfasted, spending 21 francs 75 cents. Ground tax, 30 cents.; tip, 1 franc 5 cents. If you give your waiter U francs (to make a round sum Of it) he will show you that he considers ft! , ' :

AN HONOUR TO SERVE YOU. . And if you give him 2 francs he will lavish a different valedictory phrase,' npoh ybU. He will say, with a fine bow, 'I hope to .have the honour of serving you agr&ln, sir,' and his eyes will follow you with a patronising look." Which delights, we should say, are cheaply bought at the price of 2 francs.,

Among the .other valuable pieces of; advice In the same article We find the foi-; lowing particularly; entertaining:; "-f you enter a restaurant during the /time of the.'Exhibition you will' nave, .to wait till a -table; is disengaged,, Unless .It is quite unavoidable, never take a .table where an English; family has been lunching or dining. The majority of English people give no tips, and this makes the waiter furious. But If you. happen to come after a Brazilian or an Indian, then you are in luck's way. For as a rule these exotic visitors scatter their coin about,, and. ■~.,.'. ■--

THE WAITER IS PLEASED at haying served a Nabob. Hence you are well served, and It does not muc^ matter what tip you may give;"

The little paragraph concerning ourselves reminds us of Max O'Rell's dictum in his new .novel, "Femme et Artiste," as to the Ignorance prevailing In France concerning this country. "II existe en France bon nombre de gens parfaltement conva'lncus qu'un Anglais, fatigue de- sa femme, peut aller Ta vendre au marche de Smithneld." After this we need not complain at being reckoned among the people who give no tips to waiters.—, English Exchange,