The sun., 1919-08-03
He Argues in Favor Of the Plan Of
Adding 10 Per Cent. to the Check.


Adding 10 Per Cent. to the Check.
To THE EDITOR OF The SUN--Sir: The
writer has been q waiter for seventeen
years In many countries--ten years on
Broadway. There Is at present popu-
lar move to change the old form of tip
ping into the much discussed plan Of q
10 per cent charge on the guests check.
I know for fact that q movement will
be launched very shortly at least to give
It a tryout believe 1t deserves 1t and
have not the slightest doubt It will
eventually become successful; II has al
ready been tried out in the Nassau Ho-
tel. Long Beach. with really satisfac-
tory results to waiter and guest.
Among the points in favor of the 10
per cent plan are the following:
It is a mistaken idea of tho public that
walters want this 10 per cent. system
because they can make moro this way:
as a matter Of fact their months earn
ings win be less than what they earn
now.
Walters demand this plan because It
will bring them more respect from the
public. This system will do away with
tho type OF guests who because of their
big tips demand and get all the service.
while other guests seated around are
waited on with a bored air Just because
they don't come across lavishly enough.
1t will mean equal service and respect
full service to each and every guest; this
alone ought to make the plan a success.
A surprisingly large number Of guests
don't know how to tip and often I am
surprised at the foolishly large tips given
to walters for service which deserved
practically half what they have received.
On the other hand. many, many times
have seen a party who had enjoyed a
meal we'll served by an expert, smiling
waiter leave the dining room absolutely
embarrassed and all fiustered at the in
dignant look on the walters face at the
tip given in return for his service. These
are simply two instances which show
that a really large number OF people
don't know how to tip.
Suppose this plan was adopted. would
the service still retain the former high
standard? Yes; more so. in fact, be-
cause a waiter would have to give GOOD
service. A guest will order a large
nuTnDeT OF lteulb IL no kHOWS no 10 BOlHB
to receive good service from the waiter;
a large check means more money to
the waiter, hence good service and at
tention.
This plan would put our much
abused profession on a more respected
and dignified footing. I say profession
because to be a successful waiter able
to work In a high class hotel requires In
telligence, tact. courtesy, refined man.
ners and a knowledge of few Ian
guages in many cases.
Walters are really a very much abused
set OF men.
Does a guest ever wonder or stop TO
consider what a well read, well travelled
fellow his waiter Is? Does he know no
has In numerous cases travelled in al
most every civilized country?
Suppose under this plan a guest should
receive such bad service as to make him
sore clean through, would he have to stil
pay the 10 per cent whether he wanted
to or Rot7 No; short note to this
effect could be placed on the menu card
that should guest feel the service ten
dered him was outrageously bad he has
the right to refuse to pay for the Same.
This alone would convince the public
that the service OF former high standard
would still be retained. X.
NEW York, August 2.