New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-08
TIPPING.
WHAT MIR. AsroR HAS TRIED TO STOP.
A CRUEL BURDEN UPON GUESTS AND TRAY
ELLERs-PREsIDENT cARNoT's EFFORTS
TO SUPPRESS THE ExToRrIoS-
THE PRINCE OF WALES
AND THE EMPEROR
FREDERICK

AZ StFfhEcS HE EAiOhAiON-
THE PRINCE OF WALES
AND THE EMPEROR
FREDERICK.
The attempt made by Mr.. w. Waldorf Astor in
England to put stop 10 the practice OF the tipping
OF his servants by guests visiting his house
calls attention 10 one Of the most disagreeable
features Of life In the old world. Few people who
visited Europe have any idea to what extent
this unpleasant custom Is carried there II constitutes
q perpetual and never-ending drain upon the purse.
all the more unpleasant BY reason OF the fact that
the recipients OF the tips are accustomed to regard the
latter not so much as a gift perqu!ste. Thus.
In the English country house there s the butler who,
as a rule. expects a nvepound note II one happens
TO have STAYED there few days. The man.servant
appointed to look after yOu II you do not happen to
have brought n valet. expects at least couple OF
gneas and the chamjermaid intrusted with the care
of your room expects at least half sovereign. Then
there Is the coachman who drives you from and to
the station and one OF the grooms. If you happen TO
do any riding during your stay. IL the visit Happens
to take place during the shooting season. the head
gamekccper expects at least enpOund note, falling
which he takes that you get placed at spot
where you do not have chance to fire single shot,
Besides this. there the deputy snmekeeper who has
charge Of your guns. and attends to the CLEANING
thereof. From this 1t will be seen that visit TO
an English country house Is exceedingly costly, and
one country house TO the other paying visits to ones
friends, the expense Is greater than that which
would be incurred In either stopping at home or
living at some Hrstrate hotel.
On the continent OF Europe matters still worse.
for at Paris, Vienna, Berlin and St. Pctcrsburs-In
deed in all the great capitalsone Is expected TO fee
the servants at every house where either lunches.
Dimes spends the evening. Thus each house the
guest must dsbur,c n sum ranging from one 10 two
dollars. which nrc slipped into the ready palm either
OF the matre d'h0tel, or else Of the footman who
helps you with your coat 50 publicly is this carried
that. during the presidency OF Marshal MacMahon
and Of the late NJ. Grcvy. the presidential servants
had n silver plateau placed n tnble In the cloak
room upon which the personages honorcd with
invitation TO dinner even only to q reception were
expected TO place ranging from to five francs
The length OF time consumed In finding their wraps ana
carriages was prOporlionate TO the amount thus
donated. President CarnOt's attention having been
called to this custom. which had assumed the pro
portions Of almost public scandal he has endeavorcd to
put stop Ia II. The only result which he has been
able TO achieve Is that the extortion Is carried on
less openly than In days OF yorc.
In the other capitals OF Europe. whether II he In
royal and imperial palaces In private houses, the
abuse Is Just as bad. and there l. no theatre the
continent where Is not Obliged TO tip the usher.
In Paris these u<hcis are wOmcn most Of them hdeou y
ugly. the mothers OF the ladies' OF the corps de- ballet
and OF the supernumcrarles These good do not
deign even TO thank one for the grntuity East OF the
Rhine, however. more gratitude prevails AMI at
Vienna for instance. II the Offering Is larger than
usual. the recipient either n.ac female Is apt to
seize your hand and 10 impress an npprcciutlve and
sounding Ms, thcr. On.
At the restaurants and hotels the Timing resumes
proportions that n. absolutely mons,rou. and nothing
/: Nor" appalling after has paid cues I'M nj III.
hotci with 4 heavy heart and n parse considerably
1ghtcned TO see the long row OF domcstcs including
the chambermaid the floor waiter the dining room
walter. the head waiter. the "b,ots,7 the page.boy
the assistant porter and Inst, but not least the head
porter. oil waiting with extended palms to wish you
eoOd-by. Then at the Restaurants n YOU wish
10 BE- well served. you are obliged to tip not only
the "garcon' who serves YOU. but also the soInmc
Her who looks after the wine, and the mnifrc dho,e
who collects the hill. The maitre d'hotel is ms n
rule. "a most imposing booking functionary In lrrr
proachable evening dress, and looks 80 much like a
high government dignitary that II requires courage
10 offer him anything less than ten francs. II Is
only fair to stat, that the majority Of these
servants OF the hotels and restaurants do not ~.
celve any wages from their employers although the
latter are very careful 10 charge you for service on
your bill. In many cases indeed, the servants are
Icrced, IN lieu OF receiving wages. to pay n certain
amount per month 10 their employers for the priv.
ilegc OF holding their appointments. In order 10 be-
able to do this, Of course. 1t Is necessary that they
should look very sharply after tips
In railway and steamboat travelling the tipping
Is Just ms burdcnsome as while staying at hotels or
country houses Thus the train the conductor or
guard expects tip failing which he will select all
the most Objectionable people with whom cram the
narrow railroad compartment In which you are
travelling 1t Is the same on board ship. and woe
betde the passenger who Is Impoltic enough have
forgotten the steward ! must say. however, that
there Is certain amount OF honor among-I will not
call them thieves but let ms pirates. OF the lower
regions. You lose nothing and gain everything by
tipping them In advance rather than afterward. In
fact they prefer smaller tip before rendering you
any service than larger aftcrward. This Is due
10 the fact that they often deceived especially
regret TO say by travellers and guests OF the fair
SEX who Imagine that honcyed words or religious
tracts will help them to pay their tribute to the ser
wants. employers.
Nor Is this practice OF receiving tips confined 70
the lower classes as royal pers0nagcs know TO their
cost. Thus whenever people belonging TO relgning
families pay visits TO neighboring courts they have
10 submit to an enormous drain upon their purses
amounting often TO as much as 10000 for a fort
nights stay. The tips In these not all
presented In the shape OF money, but take the form
OF jcwened snuhboxes, valuable rings, scarplns,
bracelets. Watches ETC.. which presented TO lords
nwaltng, oicersin attendance, chamberlans ladies'
n-waitIDg etc. The servants themselves receive
their gratnes In the shape OF money, and when the
late King OF Holland spent ten days at Buckingham
Palace In London at the time OF the Duke OF Abanys
wedding he was called upon to pay 10000 In cash
10 the palace servants alone. Under the crcum |
stances. 1t is easy TO understand why so many OF
the royal personages who visit England prefer 10 stay
hotels instead OF at or another Of the Queens
palaces Continental soveregns visiting continental
courts Of course, able to do things more cheaply
by presenting decoration and orders In lieu Of either
money jewclry. and at each Of the royal and i'm
peria courts the Continent the cooks and servants
will be found with their breasts covered with decora
lions conferred upon them In lieu OF "backsheesh" by
thrifty sovcreigns. In connection herewith ! es |
peclaly remember an amusing discussion which took
place between the late Emperor Frederick and the |
Prince OF Wales when they were both staying mt |
Vienna during the '7Os as guests Of the Emperor Of
Austria the most hospitable and thoughtful Of men,
Tie Prince. although most freehandcd. was |