POLAND PLACE OF TIPS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3219, 12 May 1924, Page 2

POLAND PLACE OF TIPS.

1 ho tipping system, always strong in Poland, has attained dimensions which make it a nuisance, inasmuch as it necessitates carrying about huge rolls of paper money. One is expected to hand over a wad of money to the postman when lie brings a letter, to the man in' the lift who carries one up or down, the porter who opens the door at night, the attendant who, unsolicited, helps one on or off with one’s hat or hands out a towel or opens a door. In fact, every one who has anything to do in a menial capacity has to nave his tii>. Of all these the house porter is the greatest-annoyance, as he shuts the hall door or outer gate every night at 10 o’clock and has to be bribed to open it. This week, so writes a correspondent, I went to a cinema in Novy Street, the principal street here, and on coming out I found that the porter’s wife had shut the gate and was collecting money from persons who like myself, were leaving the show. Thus is one charged not only for entering a cinema but for quitting it as well.

The Poles, who hate above- all to be accused of niggardliness, show the most remarkable docility in paying these exactions. A few weeks ago 1 started walking across the Vistula on the ice, but a man rushed after me, d -manding money, for he was a boatman. When the river is free of ice he rows people across, near the broken Poniatowski bridge, which was .blown ii]) in 1915 by the retreating Russians. Although he cannot row people 1 across in winter, he exacts his fee just the same —and all who l walk across give him his tip without a- murmur. Of course, the waiters in restaurants look for tips, though in 1918, when Polish freedom was restored, they revolted against this system, insisting that 10 per cent, be added to the- bill instead. Every guest, therefore, pays this tip. whether he likes to do so or not. Hut in addition he is expected to leave on the table, another tip of the same amount, supposed to go to the ’lnis boy, who hands the patron a match at the end of the meal. Sometimes he forgets to produce the match, but never does he fail to- grab the tip.