For servers, understanding certain principles of psychology can significantly increase tip earnings. According to multiple studies, while the size of a tip is supposed to correlate with the quality of service, this is not the case. Multiple studies have shown that factors that influence tipping often have nothing to do with service quality.
Group Impact and Tips
As early as 1975, psychologist Bibb Latane discovered an inverse relationship between the size of a customer group and the amount of tips. Specifically, the larger the group size, the smaller the average tip per customer. This phenomenon is partly due to the diffusion of responsibility effect. At parties, individuals may feel that their sense of responsibility is diluted, believing that others will be responsible for leaving higher tips, so they can reduce the amount.
However, different types of restaurants have different effects on tips. For example, at an International Pancake House in Ohio, the average tip for groups was 11%, while the average tip for solo customers was 19%. Relatively speaking, the tips of group and single customers at another high-end restaurant are almost the same, indicating that the impact of environment and atmosphere on tips cannot be ignored.
Practical Tips for Improving Tips
Although waiters can’t control the number of customers, they can improve their tips with a few tricks. For example, a 1978 experiment at a Seattle cocktail bar found that a genuine smile doubled the tip. In another study, waiters who introduced their names at the beginning of a meal found that the average tip percentage increased from 15% to 23%.
In addition, the payment method will also affect the size of the tip. Customers are generally more willing to tip when using a credit card. A 1995 study showed that even if customers pay with cash, the average tip increases by 4% whenever they see a credit card logo. Therefore, as a server, when encouraging customers to use credit cards, you need to ensure that these tips are allocated to you.
Gender and Tipping Behavior
Research by French psychologists Nicolas Gueguen and Celine Jacob found that female customers’ tips did not change significantly when the waitress wore a red T-shirt, but male customers’ tips did not change significantly. Significant increase. It’s worth noting that putting a smiley face on the bill or writing ’thank you’ on the back works for waitresses but not for waiters.
Additionally, lightly touching a customer’s arm increases tips, a phenomenon confirmed in research in the 1980s. Through moderate physical contact, waiters can convey more attention and kindness when interacting with customers. In one study, when a waiter lightly touched a customer’s arm when asking what they wanted to drink, the rate of leaving a tip increased from 10% to nearly 25%.
Summarize
Customers may be more willing to tip if they notice that the waiter is wearing a red top, introducing the waiter by name, smiling, touching the arm lightly, and presenting the bill on a heart-shaped plate. These psychological techniques can significantly increase the income of waiters in practical applications.
While these studies provide practical strategies for waiters, it is important to note that the control of variables in the studies can sometimes affect the results. Therefore, waiters can flexibly use different methods to optimize tip income based on these findings in actual work. By mastering these psychological techniques, you can improve your customer experience and steadily increase your income.
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