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hedd Letters: A city without tipping would be a costly place

OK, people, so you don't want to tip, huh? Well, here's a look at Las Vegas without tipping.

1. Now you pay for parking; no more "free' valet service. Hotels in Los Angeles average $12 per day, and in Chicago it averages $20.

2. You want your luggage taken care of? There is now a baggage handling charge. You need the bell person to bring you a newspaper from the gift shop? That'll cost you, too! That $2 paper is $5. As for laundry, shoe shines, fax service, room deliveries, etc., the hotel can install pay washers and dryers, sell the shine kits, and call you to pick up your own faxes and flowers.

Yep, I wish there was a bellman around. I'd gladly give him a couple dollars for saving me the aggravation, but there are no bellmen who would want to work for slightly more than minimum wage to be your personal assistant. To pay the bell person's salary, the hotel would have to start charging a set fee for everything that bell person would do for you. Again, much cheaper to just tip the guy a couple of bucks!

3. Are you hungry? Take a trip to the coffee shop. Looking for the $3.99 breakfast special? It's not there. It's now $10. You aren't tipping any longer, and the waitresses have to make their living. They certainly can't support their families on less than minimum wage, so again, the hotels and restaurants charge you more to pay for the salary of the employee.

Just remember, inflation always gets passed on to the consumer. You don't want to tip? Then be prepared to pay a whole lot more for everything else, or do everything yourself while putting the entire service industry out of work. It's your choice. I think I'll tip.

J. Thompson

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