Giving a tip

A tip is a small sum of money given by customers to express gratitude for good service they have received. We cannot definitely trace this custom back to its origins, but in the Americana Encyclopedia it is said that the custom emerged in the Roman era. The word tip itself is taken from the Latin word stipen, which means gift.

Most people believe that the word first emerged in Britain. In the eighteenth century, Samuel Johnson added a coin box inscribed with the message "To Ensure Promptness" to all the tables in his coffee shop in London. Coins were placed in the box as an expression of satisfaction from customers and the practice became widely known as tipping.

Nowadays giving tips is customary, especially in hotels and restaurants. The amount given as a tip varies according to where you are. Between 10 percent and 20 percent of the bill is common in Europe and America, while in Asian countries a tip is usually between 5 percent and 15 percent of the amount spent by customers. But this kind of tip is usually included in the bill, along with tax. The real tip is the extra money left on the table, and the size of this depends on the individual customers.

Each country has its own particular way of giving tips. It is commonplace in Europe and America, but less so in Japan and other Asian countries. However, the custom is becoming more popular in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore. In some cases, tips can exceed the monthly salaries earned by teenagers in part-time jobs.

What about Indonesia? People here are not accustomed to giving tips, and the practice is limited to services provided in certain hotels and restaurants. Those who deserve being tipped are bell boys, room service, parking valets, waiters and waitresses.

A service charge is included in starred-hotel bills, but if customers are impressed with the service, they can leave extra money on the table.

Besides workers in hotels and restaurants, many other people in the service industry deserve to have their good work acknowledged with a small tip.

Giving a tip shows appreciation and respect for other people's work. That is why we should always observe several rules before doing so:

- Fold the money neatly.

- Hand over the tip in a discreet fashion.

- Do not give torn or dirty money as if the receivers were beggars.

EDDY SUTRISNO

Surabaya, East Java