THE CURSE OF TIPPING.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15357, 4 October 1923, Page 2

THE CURSE OF TIPPING.

WORST IN THE STA*TES. . Some interesting sidelights on the system of tipping as it, exists in the United States, England, Canada, and New Zealand were placed before a N.Z. Times reporter by two or three gentlemen who have travelled a good deal in all these countries. The system, which applies more especially to America, where one is expected to give tips—and substantial ones —for the very smallest service, is one that has its humorous side, but has also other aspects according to the country in which one happens to be. American Railways. On some of the American railways it is possible to make journeys which last three or four days, and the same applies to the Canadian , Pacific, lino, which is also about a four-days' trip from coast to coast. An old partner in a New Zealand firm was going to England via this route, and possibly he may have been a little close-flsted, or he did not know the custom. This is to give a tip to the waiters equal to 10 per cent, of your bill. He had had dinner, and his bill was placed before him. Giving the waiter two dollars to pay 1.65, the 35 cents was brought back on the tray. This he carefully .counted out and placed in his pocket, and instantly the signal went round, amongst the waiters like freemasonry; From that time through the rest of the journey the traveller hardly had a hot or decent meal. He was the last to be served, and if there were any special titbits going he didn't get them. At the station he had difficulty in getting a baggage man, or a taxi, and it seemed as if there had been a'cbhspiracy to make his journey as unpleasant and uncomfortable as possible. ..-■; _ , , The'Same in Restaurants.

Tipping is in its worst form in America, it was stated whether in restaurants or hotels. ' The custom everywhere was a tip of not less than 10 per cent, on your bill, and unless the custom is adhered to unpleasant things may be looked for. /An instance was quoted of where two gentlemen deliberately decided not to give a tip, but after leaving the dining room to go out found a number of the waiters assembled in the hall, and as they passed through the waiters satirically bowed them-out. ,~ Most of the waiters in America are negroes, and the opinion was expressed that Americans prefer to retain the tipping habit,as it helps in maintaining the colour distinction, for they do not fail to make the negroes feel that they are being paid for their services and are expected to be servile. Wartime Change. During the war, said one of the old travellers a change was made in Canada and America, when those staying in hotels had 10 per cent, added to their hotel bills- instead of having to distribute tips here, there, and everywhere. Even this may have been regarded as an Imposition, but it possibly worked out cheaper in the long run. The hotel proprietors informed their clients that this was the order of things, and requested that the servants should not be given tips, as they were included in the bill. . I . This did not.-apply to v the baggage men, and the general rule was nothing less than a quarter, equal to about a slulling, even If he only moved your luggage a dozen yards. Give them less, and they would probably hand it back with the remark that they were not hard up for a tram fare, or something even more'sarcastic. England and Dominion.

"It is uotVso bad in England or New Zealand," said another member of the party,' "and -while it does exist in England, a railway porter will do anything for you if "you tip him sixpence. In hotels you have to tip, because it is made more pleasant for you if you do, while if you'don't—well, try it. But there is no standard of Up. You give them what you please.'