Does anyone have the link to the study on increasing tips? It was done at a
large university, forgot which one, Princeton, Yale? I searched several times
and ways and can't find the link. I remember a few years ago finding it and
printing out a copy for a server at Ellis Island because she was curious. This
lady doesn't need any tip help. She's like going home to eat at mom's. If
you order soup you get a bowl rather than a cup. If you order breakfast she
offers you a bowl of soup too. You get the feeling she'd bring you anything you
want extra and not charge you. I remember a few of the points talked about:
1 Getting down to eye level.
That means on the haunches but... one cocktail waitress followed me into
the coffee shop once and sat in an empty chair at my table to chat briefly.
She also sat in empty seats next to me when I was playing VP. She's a fun lady
and laughs at all my jokes but... I get the feeling she's trying to get a $2
tip instead of $1 thus setting a precedent.
2 Touching the customer.
This study must be really old because I remember eating at the nice
restaurant at Disneyland in California years ago, like the late 70's. My bro in law
was treating the family, I happened to be out in the isle in a seat facing
the table. The sever kept touching my back every time she was at our table. My
family noticed it as being very odd.
3. Signing their name on your check in big letters.
Recently at the same Ellis Island there was a server doing that and all
the other techniques but.. she was also altering credit card charge forms to
reflect a larger tip. She got nailed and fired by a customer who reviewed his
charge card bill and remembered he tipped low because of the bad service. It
got upped from $1 to $10
4. Telling you their name.
I counter that by ruining their happy mood by saying, "Thank you Cindy,
I'm JT and I will be your customer.
I think I'll order the dead chicken."
5. Repeating back to order to the customer in a mimicking way
None have done that because of my #4 technique
6. Offering a piece of candy along with the bill.
This one is a one two tip punch because they offer one piece then decide
to offer an extra piece because they like you so much. There's always a big
smile involved. I respond by saying, "Cindy, don't go outside if it's raining
because it will wash the sugary smile off your face."
That's all I can think of. Any one have the link to the full study?
JT
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