Retro Tipping Etiquette from 1963

I don’t think that good or bad service can he measured in percentage points. The actual word ‘tip’ (which is not found in the dictionary, per se) means ‘to insure promptness.’ If this is the case then it should actually he given prior to ordering. 

To Insure Promptness...

“It has been asked of me on several occasions, ‘What about tipping? How much? To whom? etc...’ This is one area in which I do not allow myself to be influenced by any rule book on etiquette. I think a tip is a very personal thing, and should be entirely up to the individual. I don’t think that good or bad service can be measured in percentage points. The actual word ‘tip’ (which is not found in the dictionary, per se) means ‘to insure promptness.’ If this is the case, then it should actually be given prior to ordering. 

It always gives me a great deal of satisfaction to leave a good tip, but I leave one based entirely upon service rendered. What ever your conviction is on this matter, I think that it depends completely upon your own feelings. But one thing I would like to point out, if the service is good, and you are pleased with your dining experience, then the tip should be a good one. Remember, a waiter depends on this income as part of his wages, and for the most part, they are a great bunch of fellows.” —By Al Morgan, “Morgan on the Move,” 1963

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