(3 of 3)
The whole thing has come to seem so inevitable that it is sometimes hard to remember how, in revolt against Old World customs, the U.S. used to consider tipping demeaning. Many states passed anti-tipping laws (they were repealed after Iowa's Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional in 1919), and there were dozens of anti-tipping leagues. Today some people are fighting hard to revive this spirit. Says U.C.L.A. Sociology Professor Edward C. McDonagh: "Tipping is 'out of season' in our society, but few of us have become aware of it. Why give a gratuity to someone who has Blue Cross coverage?" And in Boston a few years ago, an adman established "Tippers Anonymous," which sells members a $1 book of 30 yellow slips. On each is printed a message explaining that Tippers Anonymous is "dedicated to improving service and restoring its reward." The tipper checks off the grade of service (excellent, good, fair, poor) and leaves the slip for the waiter with an appropriate tip. So far, Tippers Anonymous* boasts 800 rather lonely members.
Aside from Tippers Anonymous, one answer often suggested is a straight percentage tip added to restaurant and hotel bills—as is the custom in most of Europe. But many customers fear that this would only make surly service people surlier and take all personal incentive out of the tip. And besides, Americans are such habitual tippers that they even add at least 5% to the built-in gratuities in Europe anyway.
There is, in short, no final solution to the tipping problem—only added ramifications, such as the spread of tipping recently to children's summer camps, boat marinas, suburban swimming clubs and the like. There are perhaps only two basic rules to follow. As a traveler, when in New York don't do as the New Yorkers do: be yourself and tip everywhere as you would at home. In general, don't be a Willis Wayde; when in doubt, take a chance on undertipping and see what happens. It may really be more fun to be a frog than a mark.
* Address: P.O. Box 451, Back Bay Annex, Boston 17, Mass.