Kate Stewart: And here's a tip for Paula ...

Good old Paula Bennett, sharing with us her attitudes on tipping. An advocate and true believer of the practice, she went on to admit that she always tips for good service. And why not?

Nine times out of 10, she's probably using taxpayer money to do so.

Just because it's the done thing in places like the United States, doesn't mean it's appropriate here in New Zealand.

Hospitality workers in the US get an hourly rate of less than $3 ... the tipping system is the only way these workers can ensure themselves a reasonable income. Tipping, for this reason alone, is understandable and perfectly acceptable.

No other group of American employees is paid such a dismal hourly rate, with the probable exception of illegal immigrants and underground sweatshop workers, whom the ruthless and greedy will forever continue to exploit, in any country.

Here in New Zealand however, our hospitality workers have the protection of the minimum wage, with many earning more than that.

Why should they be singled out as the only group in the national workforce worthy of extra payment for just doing their job?

Are other groups, like RestHome workers, not just as deserving of such gratuity?

With a wage system like ours, it's simply not fair to deem one industry worthy, above all others, of this added benefit.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against optional tipping.

Way back in the day, when I was single, living in Auckland and financially comfortable, I could be a very generous tipper if I thought the service warranted it. And many did.

My girlfriend and I would frequently enjoy long lunches at some of Ponsonby's best eating establishments. Ironically we both worked for Lion Nathan at the time, in the same industry. Having worked long hours delivering good service to our own customers, these somewhat decadent lunches were like a reward to ourselves on our days off.

We could empathise, recognise and appreciate great service when we got it.

But I'll be buggered if I'm gonna tip some bolshy waiter/waitress, who's clearly woken up on the wrong side of the bed and is literally hurtling the plates down on the table like they were frisbees.

Or the carefully chosen, highly attractive Welcomer at a Brasserie who turns on the charm for business men of all ages but can barely crack a smile for two single women looking for lunch ... the only tip she gets from me is the one where I sarcastically suggest she consider a career change.

And unless the tips are shared, what of the unseen workers, many of whom are the lowest paid? The cleaners, the dishwashers, the prep cooks, tirelessly working away out the back. Why should they miss out just because they are not front of house?

And when does a tip become a bribe?

Slipping the Maitre De a 50 for a better table, preferential treatment or to jump the queue, or some gross old pervert palming a 20 to a pretty server to "keep the drinks coming".

Having been to the States a few times myself and other countries where tipping is the done thing, I think many tourists are pleasantly surprised to discover that it is not expected here in New Zealand.

To make it compulsory would be the worst thing we could do for the industry. If anything standards would likely drop, with the assurance of a tip, regardless of the quality of service.

My tip for Paula, it should be a personal choice, done with your own personal money and never at the taxpayer's expense.

-Kate Stewart is a politically incorrect columnist of no repute. investik8@gmail.com