The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-06-20
TIPS ON OCEAN STEAMERS
The Customary Exactions
Aboard Atlantic Liners.
FACTS AND FIGURES


Many of us have met abroad
fellow countryman who makes us
blush and who entirely forgets that
Gin Rome one should do as the Ro-
mans do" He exacts great service,
and then, when, as he IL leaving, and
Is asked for fee, he proudly asserts
that he doesn't believe in that sort
OF robbery. II the servant persists,
explaining that otherwise he will go
unpaid, the traveller has been known
to tell him that he's "a blamed fool
TO live In such a country" when the
Land of the Free is only across the
ocean. without commenting upon
the emptiness of such talk (as II
every man were vagabond that
could pick up and wander hither
and thither as the spirit moved
himD, it may be said that, accord
ing to the foreign system--good or
bad-many servants are paid no
wages at all, and In numerous places
they pay well for their positions be-
cause the holders of them receive
handsome fees.
Servants less luckily placed are
the great sufferers. Their employers
screw down their wages, and the pa
tron who doesn't believe in tips
docs the rest" Indeed, said patron
has been known to fee while the
servant isn't looking. One remem-
bers, too, three pretentious feminine
nobodies as certain ship steamed
1 l.
erty. The extra last meal was al
most unnecessary any way, but tho
passengers might be detained, so it
was furnished. The three in ques-
tlon. after they had eaten com
planned that the last dish was not
properly served. They ordered 1t re-
moved and a pot of coffee brought.
While the steward was getting the
coffee they fairly ran out of the din
ing saloon, to the disgust of all at
that table. No doubt it is this same
type who steals glass and silverware,
for which the steward has to pay
and calls 1t souvenir collecting, says
The Philadelphia Record.
The 10 per cent. rule is usually
should beware of reckless tipping, as
1t marks him or her as easy"
The following, by Myra Emmons.
in Good Housekeeping, seems to be
fair rate per person on shipboard.
OF coursee, II passenger be Ill for
some days, requiring fruit and food
served In berth, or II feminine voy-
ager need much personal service.
rate should be higher.
II you travel in specially equip
ped floating palace you must expect
to pay at least $25 for steamer tips.
On regular first-class steamers, how
ever, the following are customary
and will be ample.
Stateroom steward. $2.50; state
room stewardess. $3.50; dining
room steward, $3.50. These are OBJ
ligatory. On the cheaper first-class
steamers they may be reduced to 81
each and be entirely dignified. 1t all
depends on the boat. BY talking
with other passengers you can read
lily learn the customary scale for
your steamer. II you use the bath
room regularly pay the bathroom
steward 81; II less frequently
this might be cut to 25 cents a bath.
II you read books from the library,
give the steward tip varying from
81 down to 25 cents, according to
grade Of steamer and frequency OF
his service to you.
The decks stewards gratuity Is
variable quantity; he has oppor-
tunity for getting tips from so MANY
people that he fares better than In
side stewards, who are restricted to
certain number: hence do not be
uneasy about him. Give him what
you think he has earned in waiting
on you, according to relative service
with the other stewards. A dollar Is
the maximum expected on ordinary
boats.
Thus your total tips need not ex-
ceed $40 a voyage and may not be