The Elbert County tribune., 1902-11-13
THE LAVISH AMERICAN.
The Pace II. set-.in Spending I'm
benrabIe To Others.

The Herald. published in the city of
Mexico. says 1t Is claimed by residents OF
GuadalaJara that the American tourists
who travel In private cars and send their
cooks TO the local markets have put up
the price of meats and vegetables. 1t u
said. also. continues the Herald. that
the Americans by paying first price asked
nave advanced rents and servants wages.
We have heard the same complaint mere
NJ the Mexican capital from Mexicnns OF
nigh standing. They assert that the Amer
lean Is responsible not only for the higher
wages paid to servants. but also In a great
measure for spoGing them. and nlling
their heads with notions Of being about as
good MS their masters and mistresses.
There are q couple of counts In this IN
dietment to which the average American
learned the habit OF ''jewing' down The
price asked for an article or a service.
and the injury attributed TO him undsf
this head is really not his fault at all.
Rather. II Is the fault OF the country
which cultivates the custom OF asking un-
fair prices in the cxpectatlon OF being
merchants and landlords to onsr a fair
bargain at the outset as We do IN Amer,
to disappear.
The average American will also plead
guilty TO the charge of regarding a sery-
ant as fellow human being. IL we do
not browbeat our servants 1t is because
We really believe in what the Mexican
form OF government breaches but does not
practice-that toll is honorable and that
every honest toiler Is worthy OF respect
and consideration. Here. too. we would
advise Mexico 10 mend her ways. II she
would reform her labor system, which is
practically system of slavery, she could
In time practice the equality which she
keeps under glass case, not for use. but
solely for inspection.
stil II Is not to be deEied thnt the
ready money American travelling abroad Is
proiiigate of his riches and sets bad eN-
ample, Recently the Honolulu Advertiser
printed an interview with Mr. Hofcr.
who was returning to his home In ST
Louis after year spent in the Orient.
Mr.. Hofer says; wherever Americans
huH frna al.4A Ia NrNG Iht.s am tn
have exerted bad influence over the ma
tives in the wny of raising prices. Go to
Japanese cities and you Will hnd that
Americans have turned things topsy-
turvy."
II Is the old story Of the careless rich
man going into an Impoverished communl-
ty make reckless showing Of his wealth.
However. we may suspect that the gem
erous open -heartedness of the American,
which makes him an easy victim TO the
cupldity OF the Oriental. Is more to blame
than the other. Commenting on the inter
View with Mr.. Hofer. the Honolulu paper
says:
ever they go they attempt TO show on:
and their habit OF tipping far in excess of
benefits received has increased even that
bane Of travelling. Europeans generally
do not exceed tip Of one-tenth of their
bill in cafes and other places for service
on the other hand the American tip is en-
tirely out Of proportion TO the cost OF the
thing received. when an American goes
into a cafe and his bin amounts to 30 70
waiter to keep the change of n dollar.
People following In the wake Of these eN-
travagant upsters. usually nnd out to
their sorrow that they must pay equally
well or put up with poor service. The
ricl5sha runners even have made up their
minds that when an American appears
among them he must be mulcted They
mise the prices and they expect tips ns
we'll In Manila the cocheros. instead Of
being the obseuuious 1ehus OF the old
Spanish days, have not become more indie
pendent beings and II they feel that they
will not get more than the regulation
fare, refuse to accept a passenger on the
ground that they are engaged"
The Mexican Herald also speaks of the
prodignlity OF Americans In tipping walt
ers ANY old resident here knows to his
cost" It says. that tips have advanced
greatly of late years. Walters in restau-
rnnts used to be grateful for IA tip Of a
medic. or cents. and We're fairly
salaamlng when they got real. or II
cents. Now they look for pesetas and tos-
tones - and 5O-cent tips. and are not
greatly impressed with dollar. The
tourists OF the free-spending sort are to
blame for this. and the Mexicans com
ulain and with reason. Of the growing
greed Of walters. There are simple res
tnurants in the in. -ior where G-cent tip
sim calls to the -liter's fare smile OF
deep gratitude. But this If where con-
ditlon OF holy simplicity still exists -
Kansas city Journal.