Q. I am an artist living in the UK and was charmed to be invited by a fellow artist, a member of the Chelsea Arts Club, to join her and her uncle for lunch there. After paying by card, my hostess went to leave some bank notes on the table and I was surprised when her uncle, a distinguished gentleman, told her to put the money away. ‘You never tip in a club,’ he said. I am hoping to join this club myself so would like this protocol confirmed, since I cannot see the logic behind it.
— P.E., London SW3
A. In clubland, a member does not tip. Instead he or she contributes to what is called a Christmas ‘box’ which is shared among relevant personnel. The logic is that clubs exist to make their members feel comfortable, and direct tipping makes most people feel uncomfortable… Of course the waiters in clubs want their salaries topped up, but this reward comes at the end of the year and, being at one remove and less excruciatingly personal, it suits both sides better.
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