he highest group council was in session. One member was explaining: "It's the custom of tipping slaves. At first, those who could get a slave were so happy that they often gave him a few coins. Now the custom is firmly established—anybody who doesn't tip a slave is considered cheap. I do it and so do you."
"Of course. What's wrong with giving them a few polins now and then? Or a dopolin or two when they have a baby or a wedding?"
"Nothing wrong with it, in itself. But they don't spend anything. We supply their food and clothing; nothing else we have seems to appeal to them. The money goes out of circulation. It's estimated that half the money in the Galaxy is being hoarded by slaves."
"What? That's impossible. Just from those small tips?"
"Small tips, but day after day; year after year. Add up some time what you've given and multiply by the number who've been doing it."
"Then that's behind our economic troubles. A currency shortage. Can we take it away from them?"
"Of course not. Besides being unethical, it would turn them against us. They wouldn't understand."
"Then we'll abolish tipping."