15 APRIL 1966, Page 13

Tips with Everything

SIR,—Alan Brien's biased article has increased my sympathy with the Anti-Tipping Campaign. I am quite ready to express sincere gratitude for voluntary kindness, without thinking that cash is the best medium for doing so. Conversely, it is hard to see what kindness there is in a service which has to be bought. The goodwill which tipping is supposed to create seems somewhat artificial. It is easily out- weighed by the worry, embarrassment, uncertainty

and which it is liable to produce—as shown by the evidence in Alan Brien's article. If this absurd custom had never existed, I can't imagine that even Alan Brien would argue for its introduction.

D. H. CLOSE 1 Chester Gate, London NW1