Читать книгу Blaikie’s Guide to Modern Manners - Thomas Blaikie - Страница 12

‘Why do we have to have tipping?’ says Zoe, for whom the occasional taxi is quite expensive enough. She’s right, of course. It’s patronising and drives everyone into a frenzy of indignation and anxiety – who to tip? How much? Why?

In theory, a tip is given for personal services beyond the call of duty. It is supposed to be freely given. In practice, punters compensate for meagre salaries and if they don’t they’re punished in ways too terrifying to think about.

Tipping gives unfair advantages. Very rich people ensure good service by wisely distributing £50 notes on arrival in hotels and restaurants.

There is no rationale to tipping. You wouldn’t think of tipping the person at Tesco’s who helps you find the frozen peas.

The whole thing stinks. In Iceland tipping is outlawed.

But we are lumbered with it.

 Black-cab drivers in London are tipped 10 per cent – a practice which should have been discontinued long ago. They earn good money. They don’t need a tip.

 The custom of tipping has never taken root in the minicab world. You agree a price at the start of the journey and that’s it. Don’t for goodness’ sake start tipping minicab drivers.

 Restaurants usually add a 12.5 per cent service charge. This isn’t a tip but an extra charge although you can withhold it. Only do this if you are absolutely sure the poor service was the waiter’s fault. Most people feel sorry for waiters since they are poorly paid.

 If you pay the service charge it is not necessary to leave any further tip.

 Some people tip hairdressers. This is absurd. Nowadays hairdressers are glamorous professionals. You wouldn’t tip your child’s teacher or your lawyer, so why tip the hairdresser?

 Porters in hotels have to be tipped for carrying your suitcases to your room – annoying when you have just arrived and only have a 100-euro note. The usual tip is a couple of pounds or euros.

 If someone has provided really exceptional service over a long period (a waiter, hotel staff, a coach driver or builder perhaps), it would be far more personal and less patronising to give them a present. At one time ‘grateful patients’ used to give their doctors expensive presents. Lawyers too would often get cases of wine or cigars. But now everybody hates doctors and lawyers. If you were really grateful, you could lavish something choice upon them (see – Presents: It’s the thought that counts, page 222).