"I never give a tip to the waiter... it encourages celibacy," plate 1 from Les Habitués Des Cafés 1851

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "I never give a tip to the waiter... it encourages celibacy," sometime in the 19th century. Daumier was a keen observer of Parisian life, using his art to comment on the social mores and class distinctions of his time. Here, Daumier captures a scene in a cafe, a popular gathering place during this period. A patron, presumably of some means, engages with a waiter, expressing a rather peculiar justification for not tipping. This statement serves as social commentary, reflecting the complex relationship between the service class and their patrons, and perhaps questioning the perceived morality of economic interactions. Daumier often used humor to deliver his critiques, inviting viewers to reflect on the absurdities of social conventions. The notion that tipping might influence celibacy seems to suggest the patron's discomfort with acknowledging the waiter's humanity or personal life, reducing him to a mere functionary. This work encourages us to consider how our daily interactions are shaped by underlying power dynamics, class anxieties, and the ways in which we negotiate our roles within society.