No tip, it's been a tough year

The following reports - about falling tips in New York City and elsewhere in the States - appeared in the London Times on January 2nd last:

Jodi Smith, President of Mannersmith, an etiquette consultancy based in Massachusetts, appeared on Fox News to advice on the niceties of tipping in a recession. Anyone still in a job, she declared, should continue to tip the expected amount. ';But for people who have lost their jobs, whose mortgages have disappeared, who are suddenly caring for ailing parents, whose budget has depressed significantly, then you need other ways to show appreciation'; she said.

Bill Lindauer, a 30 year veteran taxi-driver, now mans the phones at the New York Taxiworkers%26#39; Alliance. Tips used to make up about 12 per cent of his day%26#39;s takings. a far cry from the ';round it up to the nearest pound'; gratuity handed to London%26#39;s black cab drivers. Lindauer reckons that with no bankers rushing between Wall Street and midtown Manhattan, business for the city%26#39;s drivers is down about 30 per cent, while tips have fallen off a cliff. ';Tipping%26#39;s gone down, especially now more people are paying fares with credit cards. You%26#39;re lucky if you get anything';, he said.