In the 30 years I've been punting, I'd never realised there was a list of punting "commandments" which included "Thou shalt not take WGs a gift".
I think the clue is in the word "politeness". Some punters think it polite/nice to take a small gift (mainly if it's a regular). So long as they exercise the much vaunted "common sense" and don't start taking Gucci handbags, diamond necklaces (pearl necklaces are an entirely different matter
) and the like, then what's the problem? If you don't like it, don't do it. If people choose to do it, it's their money to do with as they please.
Besides, it doesn't mean you take a gift everytime. I saw one regular about once every 4/6weeks for 3 years. Think I probably took 5 gifts (ranging from £10-£25) in about 30 plus or so punts - hardly going to break my bank account. Sometimes I get a heavy punting itch, and have on occasion blown £500 in a week - mno gifts involved (thankfully that craziness is more or less past me) - that's far more likely to bankrupt me than a bottle of fizz to be shared as part of the punt.
I personally prefer an hour's session - I note that your reviews Donbe are mainly for 1/2 hour sessions; does that mean I should exercise "common sense" and just have a quick shag and get the fuck out of there because it's cheaper? Of course it doesn't, nor would I expect you to start booking hour long sessions, because you do what suits you. Different strokes for different folks and all that