what's fifteen per cent

the doorman
needs a dollar or two.
a small tip to see him
through the next ten minutes
before he has
to open the door for
someone else.
the cab driver,
pulling your bags from
the trunk,
the skycap getting
you from the curb to
a counter.
there's a man in the bathroom
handing you a paper
towel to dry your hands.
what's the proper tip
for that.
and the bartender,
the waiter,
the bell hop
the maid.
even your son, your wife,
as you travel,
have a hand out,
waiting to be paid.