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The Itching Palm
Excerpt from The Itching Palm: A Study of the Habit of Tipping in America
"Oliver Cromwell struck a mortal blow at the universal heart of Flunkyism," wrote Carlyle of the execution of Charles I.
Yet, Flunkyism is not dead!
In the United States alone more than 5,000,000 persons derive their incomes, in whole or in part, from "tips," or gratuities. They have the moral malady denominated The Itching Palm.
Tipping is the modern form of Flunkyism. Flunkyism may be defined as a willingness to be servile for a consideration. It is democracy's deadly foe. The two ideas cannot live together except in a false peace. The tendency always is for one to sap the vitality of the other.
"Oliver Cromwell struck a mortal blow at the universal heart of Flunkyism," wrote Carlyle of the execution of Charles I.
Yet, Flunkyism is not dead!
In the United States alone more than 5,000,000 persons derive their incomes, in whole or in part, from "tips," or gratuities. They have the moral malady denominated The Itching Palm.
Tipping is the modern form of Flunkyism. Flunkyism may be defined as a willingness to be servile for a consideration. It is democracy's deadly foe. The two ideas cannot live together except in a false peace. The tendency always is for one to sap the vitality of the other.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1916
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 4, 2026
good book that puts into words a lot of the gripes i’ve had about tipping for a while now. i think at times it gets in its own way by just giving example after example after example, but when it gets into the analysis of it all, it’s very well-written and it’s a breath of fresh air to hear similar opinions on this topic.
December 20, 2023
🖋️ This 1916 book basically gives strong reasons why tipping for services is wrong. That is,
Overall, it is a well-written work with good points and logic. I quite enjoyed reading it, particularly for a view on tipping practices in the early 20th century.
📙Published in 1916.
🟢The e-book version can be found at Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.
●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●
First, establish clearly in your mind that tipping is wrong. The slogan is: ONE COMPENSATION FOR ONE SERVICE.Boy, oh, boy – does this ring true in the 21st century, too!
Overall, it is a well-written work with good points and logic. I quite enjoyed reading it, particularly for a view on tipping practices in the early 20th century.
📙Published in 1916.
🟢The e-book version can be found at Project Gutenberg.
🟣 Kindle.
●▬●🔷●🔷●▬●
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews