The Itching Palm: A Study of the Habit of Tipping in America

The author examines tipping in the United States as a widespread social and economic practice, arguing that it fosters servility and undermines democratic equality. The text surveys ethical, economic, psychological, and legal dimensions, contrasts employee and employer viewpoints, and critiques etiquette, hotel, railroad, and theatrical customs that reinforce gratuities. It cites estimates of how many workers depend on tips and the aggregate sums exchanged, documents pressures and abuses arising from the custom, and outlines proposed remedies and institutional changes intended to reduce reliance on tipping.