THE QUESTION OF TIPS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 91, 24 November 1911, Page 2

THE QUESTION OF TIPS.

• ♦ HOTEL EXPENSES IN NEW-YORK.

In a great New-York hostelry the scheme for getting at the contents of the purse has been studied until it has become a fine art.

Prom the time 1 a man or woman enters the place there is something that suggests paying out money. < Hie boy who carries your luggage to your room has a wistful look that only changes when he gets his tip. The porter brings in ycwr box, and then stands expectantly, until he gets what would be equal to an English shilling.

You go down to dinner, and the dining-room usher takes your measure with a keen glance as you .approach i him. Whether the seat is at a window with a bouquet of flowers on the table, or whether it is .in a dark- corner with no bouquet and no waiter, depends upon the thought inspired by the usher’s glance. If you look wealthy, the table is where you can see around, with a waiter to takq and put on the silver and dishes, and another to cut your meat serve your vegetables, and pour out your tea or coffee. He may even beg to stir in the sugar ‘with your permission. At last comes the dip in the finger bowl, and the waiter who offers it stands in an expectant attitude.

A shilling in American money—a quartar-dollar ! He can’t keep the contempt from his face. He doesn’t even pull back your chair. Actually a dollar tip is not considered generous, but nothing less will make him bow.

The pitcher of water sent to the room may cost a half-penny, but you pay the ' carrier at least fourpence. The elevator-boy shows he wants a tip, the lackey in uniform who closes the entrance-door behind you has an itching palm t and if a guest does as most of the others do when they leave the dining-room and the coat or wrap is put on, here’s another chance to become separated from one’s small change. All this, is of course, in addition to the charges for food and rooms. At the big hotel, 1 Royalty can be accomodated in a suite which brings to mind the palace, furnished, decorated, and adorned, as it is, after some home of a monarch of the past. A hundred dollars a day, a thousand a week, is not considered extravagant for such apartments ; but if you would live like a king and pay like a king, they are yours for the price. --

As the elevator goes up and up, the cost of the rooms diminishes, though in the upper chambers the air is purer, the sun shines through the window, the whirl and hum of the city ceases, and you can rest in quiet, the fad is to live as far down as possible ; so that, while an inside room on the top floor costs two dollars . for every twenty-four hours, a room on a lower floor which looks on the street costs over ten times as much, not Including food.—'“Chambers's Journal.”