The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1889-1889, 1889-04-04
TIPPING THE WAITER.

haps more prevalent in Washington than In
any ether American city. The reason Of
this ia not difficult to discover. Doubtless
the presence here OF so many foreigners OF
the better class has much to do with It.
The custom is essentially European one,
the steady growth of centuries. In the old
days OF bouts and tournaments II was the
custom Of the knights errantry TO present
their followers with presents, and no doubt
from this has arisen the system OF ''tip-
pipg'' which has grown to such tremendous
proportions in the old countries and which
is fast becoming common in this country.
Time was, and not very long ago either,
when the average American would consider
himself grossly insulted were he offered
money for showing little favor but now,
In Washington at least, they almost demand
it.as q right.
Tipping in Washington is not confined to
hotel dining-rooms, as It Ia In many places.
II Iermeates every class where services that
smack the least Of domestic are given. The
The town Is beginning to nll with Office
seekers, and 1t will be good thing for them
to remember that II they wish an audience
with Cabinet officer or an appointment
clerk, II VIII be good thing to keep on
good terms with the man who sits outside
the door, and good way to do II is always
to have bright silver dollar handy. Don't
be timid about using It, for be II known
that money will open many door in this
town which will not respond to great or
distinguished name.
SO, too, about our dinners. Do not at
tempt to satisfy the cravlngs Of an appe-
tite for the best OF everything, including
attention, without using the same magi,
panacea. Everyone has seen the two con-
trasting pictures at his hotel table OF the
man who does and he who does not give
tips. The former Of course, lives on the
and his every wish forestalled, while the
latter may be placed In the same category
as ship-wrecked sailor on desert island.
He may go to the proprietor and register a
vigorous kick, and likely enough will be
rewarded by helpless shrug of the shoul-
ders and the reply that II can't be helped.
The proprietor is powcrless IN the hands OF
the iend who must be tipped, aud doubt
less he gives them himself. There are
number of instances on record where hotel
managers have started crusades against the
custom, but not one instance is known
where they have been successful. 1t Is,
they claim, II you can find one candid
enough to say so, demoralizing the domes-
tic seryicc, and is an evil that cannot be
fought, except with the weapons Of dis
charge.
1t is an Interesting and curious study, this
| fixture Of Washington hotel life. The
negro in every phase of his life is n most
easily-read character, and is at his best when
on hunt for a tip. The best Of them say
not word. In the hrst-class hotels they
maintain dignifed silence, hut the glance
Of the eye is full of meaning, and woe to
| the man who docs not understand and
profit by it. AS the scale descends the
methods change. The silence is still there,
but the expressive eye has a pathetic look
that is calculated to melt the heart and
| open the purse strings Of the worst op-
ponent Of the practice. When the dining
rooms Of the cheaper class are visited the
method is again different and now we
hear little stories Of sickness at home aud
the wolf at the door, There is look Of mild
reproach on the ebony or mahogany coun-
tenance of the brigand, and you find your
self yielding
| The methods are too numerous to men,
ton, however, for every one Of them has
his own. They make an Interesting study,
and perhaps after all they are not very far
wrong In their demands upon ones generos-
ity. The wages of waiter are very small,
| and arc Oettinp smaller every vear on ac-