How to increase your tips
A few years ago when I was writing a story on tipping, I interviewed Michael Lynn, an associate professor at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration who has studied the subject for years. My daughter was working as a waitress in Washington at the time, and when I told her about Lynn she thought she'd give some of his techniques to increase tips a try. Yes, they worked.
Now he's offering a free pamphlet for servers about his research. (If it helps, you can send him a "tip.") It's also interesting reading for the rest of us. Here's the link.
Some of his "tip enhancing actions" seem pretty off the wall, but he says he's got the data to back them up. For instance, waitresses who wore a flower in their hair saw a 17 percent increase in tips. (He adds that many of these wouldn't be appropriate for very formal restaurants.)
I won't list them all, but here are some of the more surprising ones: ...
(Nanine Hartzenbusch/Sun Photographer)
*Squatting down next to the table increased tips by 20 percent.
*Using tip trays with credit card insignia increased tips by 22 percent in cafes and 25 percent in restaurants.
*Telling a joke, 40 percent more.
*Writing thank you on the check, 13 percent more.
*A waitress drawing a smiley face on the check, 18 percent more. But waiters who drew smiley faces saw their tips drop. Weirdly, bartenders who drew suns on checks got 37 percent more.
Most but not all of Lynn's techniques come down to being a nicer, more cheerful person. I guess it's not so surprising being nice to your customers would increase your tips.
Comments
Very interesting! I waited tables for a few years in Ocean City and I would have loved to have these tips back then! I will agree that smiling, joking, writing thank you and adding a smiley face on a check definitely help to boost your tip :-)
Posted by: SMCM02 | October 15, 2007 8:32 AM
I am a frequent Entertainment card user and find that some restaurants and waitstaffers adopt a certain attitude upon learning that you have and plan to use the "card". Others seem to not notice and treat diners well - as we should be treated. Yesterday, my wife and went to Ellicott Mills Brewing Company for a great meal. A gratuity of 18% was automatically added to the bill. I resent this. There is an implied attitude by management that "card" users are cheapskates who won't leave an appropriate tip. In this case, the waitperson deserved more and we gave her additional money. She treated us quite well and the only complaint I have is the 18% tip that had been pre-added to the bill. I don't think I should feel like a cheapskate just because I use the "card". I'd be interested in learning your thoughts about this issue. Thank you.
Posted by: Bill | October 15, 2007 8:47 AM
Most Entertainment card users not only are naturally poor tippers (15 percent tip at most), but they tip based on the discounted total of the check. Free entree? That takes a big chunk out of the server's tip. That's why, on the check, it should say the real total and then the discounted total. $2 off of every tip on every table adds up really quickly.
Posted by: LC | October 15, 2007 10:36 AM
Forget the tricks, give me good service and you get a good tip.
I honestly don't care if the wait staff: squats down, puts a flower in their hair, tells a joke, or puts a smiley on the bill. I do care that they not forget about the table, refill water when it approaches empty, promptly bring me my food when it is ready, etc.
Posted by: Paul | October 15, 2007 10:41 AM
I agree with Paul, friendly, efficient and hopefully knowledgeable service is all you need. "Silent service", meaning the guest should not have to ask for re-fills, napkins, silver etc., the basics. Anticipating guest needs is rarer and rarer these days. Do this and it's 20% or more from me guaranteed.
Posted by: joe | October 15, 2007 11:02 AM
I was a waiter for a decade. The problem is that many waiters are NOT the type to be in for the long haul and/or management doesn't give them enough training on the front end. How differently would your opinion of Southwest Airlines be if the people checking you in and bringing your items had no training and would probably be working somewhere else the next time you were there? Nothing else is needed besides being friendly, knowing what you're doing, and understanding the menu. To increase tips, you either have to "read" people better (some want more interaction, others don't want to be bothered by you) or upsell the ticket. You could have a whole discussion just on upselling...
Posted by: mike | October 15, 2007 3:02 PM
We will never forget the waiter at Viccino's who actually got so interested in the conversation at our table that he pulled up a chair to sit with us. I don't think that increased his tip--quite the contrary!
Posted by: Darlene | October 15, 2007 5:33 PM