Tips, Tippers And Tipped A TRIPPER’S VIEWPOINT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 47, 28 January 1949, Page 4

Tips, Tippers And Tipped A TRIPPER’S VIEWPOINT

“Generally regarded as a pernicious system, tipping for service seems the accepted' thing in England,’’said Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., chatting with pressman on his return from overseas. ' “One experiences much fun and expense in learning how. . “There are three kinds of tippers —the one who .makes a perfectly simple, job of it by throwing his cash about; the more careful tipper who tries to learn how, with the minimum outlay, and the guy who gets the service, slopes off and doesn’t tip. “Some hotels adopt the practice of adding 15 per cent to your account. This is called a service charge and presumably goes to those who render the service. If you squat and spot in the lounge your waiter*expects, and may even ask, 15 per cent on your good cash already liquidated. The porter who carries your bag, hails your taxi, expects a tip, or next time you may wait. “In the more expensive hotels,

you may have the tender care of a chamber maid, a valet and a porter. All render some service, and failure to tip marks your stock down. Your taxi may clock up a 2/6 fare. If you don’t pay out 3/- or more, you may get a look, pleadingly asking ‘Gor blime, how is a man going to live?’

“Your barber may very politely tell you that a hair cut is 1/6, that he is underpaid/and cannot manage unless you open up a bit more. Rumour has it that some who tactfully render these small services, the professionals who knowingly places some small change on the tray (in order that some may stick) have made small fortunes.

“Such men are not to be despised, or lightly passed over by those who search for leisure and pleasurel Rightly or wrongly, tipping will continue, but should only be for those who render a service willingly and pleasingly in excess of duties for which they are paid. After « all, the principal business of life is to enjoy it, and there is much satisfaction in acknowledging kindly helpful services by a tip now and' * again.”