Forget about tipping AFTER a service, start tipping BEFORE!
That's right buster, what do ya think will happen if you tip FIRST? My man Baily over at the Change Race is trying to re-write the rules, and I think he's got it right!
The "Servicer's" mood.
For example, what if the "servicer" is in a fantastic mood already when you tipped first? Wouldn't that person had served you well no matter when you gave him/her the money, and no matter the size? I suppose giving a more substantial amount might alter it a bit, but that's not really the point here. We're talking about the simple fact of tipping up front rather than later.
Their general work ethic, and overall nice-ness.
This could greatly affect a person's service to you regardless of tipping up front (and sometimes even afterward). Say the servicer is an overall good, and honest, person. In this case, wouldn't the personal already have carried out an excellent service because it's already in their nature? I mean, maybe they'd now feel a little less stressed about how much they'd be getting, but i feel like unless you're dropping incredibly low or high amounts for them, you wouldn't really see a difference.
Now let's say the servicer sucks at his job, and doesn't really give a crap. More often than not he'll serve you the same way every time because his overall mood is horrible. While he'd enjoy getting larger tips, he'd never alter his service...but maybe tipping him first would shock him into reality and subconsciously do the trick? Would be interesting to try, that's for sure.
Using the same servicers.
It would also be irrelevant if you routinely used the same servicers, as they would already understand your tipping habits. If you use the same guy to park your car every day at work, for example, they'll already expect a certain size tip based on all previous encounters with him. So unless you're gonna start paying BIGGER tips up front, i doubt you'd notice any change.
The actual service being requested.
It also depends on WHAT the service actually is. If it's a mere taxi/bus ride, like in Baily's example, the service is pretty clean cut- You drive me from point A to B. Now let's say you're ordering a meal. This changes everything, as you wouldn't even know how much to tip because you haven't ordered your meal & drinks yet. (i guess you could always drop it right after you ordered...that would at least cut the extra variable)
But there's another more obvious downfall that could occur here - you could very well eliminate the servicers motivation!
Think about it. If you've already paid for the "service" you haven't even got yet, why should they go out of their way to help you? They've already gotten what they wanted - a decent tip. Unless you're ballsy enough to ask for part of the tip back (making the experiment even more interesting), you could have very well paid to receive crappy service. Of course, this goes back to the original variables of the person's work ethic & morality.
On the other hand, your initial tip may also suggest that more tips are on their way! I doubt anyone will think to themselves, "Hey, this guy is tipping me BEFORE the service". Thus, increasing the level of service assuming they will get even more tips to come ;) In this case, however, you may come out as a potential a-hole.
As you can see, there are a plethora of different responses you might get by doing this, and i've certainly wasted some time trying to come up with them all! haha...But after all is said and done, I'm willing to bet that you WOULD, in fact, get treated better by tipping first. Perhaps i'm a bit naive, but I'd like to think that the world is a little more "good" than bad when it comes down to it.
I'd like to say i had more factual-based evidence here, but unfortunatelyBaily's been a bit slacking on showing his results ;) Ya hear that buster? We all wanna know! Shoot us a comment when you get a chance. And in the meantime, I encourage you to give it a shot too. If my goldfish-brain allows me to remember it, I sure as hell am gonna try it!
Update: Baily posted his findings! Check it out...
"...But one of my things in life, is I think we should tip BEFORE we get the service. After the service is done, it isn't going to get any better. Why not tip BEFORE dinner, the thinking being you are probably going to get a bit better service. Make your tip worthwhile."Interesting concept! I really think he's on to something here. At first i was like, "Oh $hit, that would totally work!" but the more i thought about it, and the more Mrs. Budgetsaresexy started playing devil's advocate, the more diluted our suggested outcomes became. I mean, there are a TON of variables here. I decided to list a handful of them just for fun :)
The "Servicer's" mood.
For example, what if the "servicer" is in a fantastic mood already when you tipped first? Wouldn't that person had served you well no matter when you gave him/her the money, and no matter the size? I suppose giving a more substantial amount might alter it a bit, but that's not really the point here. We're talking about the simple fact of tipping up front rather than later.
Their general work ethic, and overall nice-ness.
This could greatly affect a person's service to you regardless of tipping up front (and sometimes even afterward). Say the servicer is an overall good, and honest, person. In this case, wouldn't the personal already have carried out an excellent service because it's already in their nature? I mean, maybe they'd now feel a little less stressed about how much they'd be getting, but i feel like unless you're dropping incredibly low or high amounts for them, you wouldn't really see a difference.
Now let's say the servicer sucks at his job, and doesn't really give a crap. More often than not he'll serve you the same way every time because his overall mood is horrible. While he'd enjoy getting larger tips, he'd never alter his service...but maybe tipping him first would shock him into reality and subconsciously do the trick? Would be interesting to try, that's for sure.
Using the same servicers.
It would also be irrelevant if you routinely used the same servicers, as they would already understand your tipping habits. If you use the same guy to park your car every day at work, for example, they'll already expect a certain size tip based on all previous encounters with him. So unless you're gonna start paying BIGGER tips up front, i doubt you'd notice any change.
The actual service being requested.
It also depends on WHAT the service actually is. If it's a mere taxi/bus ride, like in Baily's example, the service is pretty clean cut- You drive me from point A to B. Now let's say you're ordering a meal. This changes everything, as you wouldn't even know how much to tip because you haven't ordered your meal & drinks yet. (i guess you could always drop it right after you ordered...that would at least cut the extra variable)
But there's another more obvious downfall that could occur here - you could very well eliminate the servicers motivation!
Think about it. If you've already paid for the "service" you haven't even got yet, why should they go out of their way to help you? They've already gotten what they wanted - a decent tip. Unless you're ballsy enough to ask for part of the tip back (making the experiment even more interesting), you could have very well paid to receive crappy service. Of course, this goes back to the original variables of the person's work ethic & morality.
On the other hand, your initial tip may also suggest that more tips are on their way! I doubt anyone will think to themselves, "Hey, this guy is tipping me BEFORE the service". Thus, increasing the level of service assuming they will get even more tips to come ;) In this case, however, you may come out as a potential a-hole.
As you can see, there are a plethora of different responses you might get by doing this, and i've certainly wasted some time trying to come up with them all! haha...But after all is said and done, I'm willing to bet that you WOULD, in fact, get treated better by tipping first. Perhaps i'm a bit naive, but I'd like to think that the world is a little more "good" than bad when it comes down to it.
I'd like to say i had more factual-based evidence here, but unfortunately
Update: Baily posted his findings! Check it out...
Labels: randomness 3000, tipping
posted by J. Money at
10:34 AM
11 Comments:
One casual wine bar/restaurant I frequent is of the sort where you order at the counter, go sit down, and then your order number is called. But when you order and pay, you have the option to tip. I always do. Why? Well, every time I've been, a server has been bussing tables (even though the trash cans clearly indicate you should do it yourself) and when they aren't swamped, they bring your food to you.
Every single time I tip, the server brings me my meal and also quickly comes to sweep away any empty dishes. It's clear that the tip is getting me "better" service. It's interesting to think how that might apply across the board. Would the extremely wealthy end up with exceptionally better service because they choose to immediately begin with a $50 tip?
I knew someone once who would go to a restaurant and lay out in one dollar bills on the table the waiters tip. He would tell the waiter that was his tip and for everything he screws up a dollar would be taken away. It was a really jerky thing to do, but a funny story nonetheless.
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Keep up the good work!
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Forgive me, but you could call this the "Strip Club Method". Exotic dancers are also motivated by pre-tipping.
Now, what happens you find out there is no champagne in the champagne room? ;)
megan - not a bad idea at all! and i'm sure the wealthier get better service all around...but no way in hell i'd throw it away like that once i get up there ;)
Laura - i don't know whether to call your friend a genius or punch him in the face! haha...actually, i remember having a friend that did something similar, but without the taking away part. What he liked to do was lay out like $50 on there in 5's, 10's 1's, whatever (kinda making a big show of it) and so that it would "appear" that he was leaving a big tip, or that the leftover money WAS the tip. when it came down to it though, he only really tipped like a dollar per beer, which is pretty average, but he swears he got treated like royalty every time he tried it. i should actually email him for more info and see if he still does it. thx for the reminder!
Ginger - Why thank you much my dear, how sweet :) I'm off to check out that link as soon as i leave this comment. You rock!
Jonathan - a man of little words, but of much wisdom. haha... i love it. and indeed, so very true. at least that's what people tell me ;)
Back in the old days (I'm talking really olde) one would tip first thing when entering a pub. This was "To Insure Proper Service" - T.I.P.S.
Of course, back in those days, there was no minimum wage, so the person serving your food relied solely on tips for survival.
These days, most diners in the U.S. tip a percentage of their total bill, so the real motivation for a good server is to sell more product - "would you like bacon on your burger?", or "Who's got room for ice cream?" A sharp server will also know when it's time to cut bait so another party can sit at that table. This is called "turn and burn." A server who's truly in the zone constantly does both in order to maximize their earnings.
I am lucky enough to work at a restaurant that does a lot of business and has good systems in place to properly serve a large number of patrons at once. As a result, I always have a smile on my face and leave fat and happy most nights. Most waitrons are not so lucky.
Just for the record, I think Laura's friend who pulls dollars away from the pile is an arse. When service is bad enough to leave a severely reduced or no tip at all, it's time to talk to a manager. A good restaurant operator will thank you for your input, even if it's negative.
Some tips to insure proper service:
1. Be nice
2. Be respectful and respectable
3. Don't make special orders
4. Remember that expecting things leads to disappointment
I am absolutely appalled by the guy who pulls bills away for minor infractions. Manners and decency really are on their way to extinction. I agree with Aaron--if service is truly terrible, one should speak with the manager.
I am in the habit now of asking for change from a large bill from my server and stating that I wish to leave a nice tip for them. This usually inspires them to please me after they have changed a fifty for me.
I eat out every night since 2001. For the last 4 years and for the rest of my life, I tip before hand at restaurants. I'll keep it short.
1. I ask for the bill, immediately after I order.
2. I always tip 40% regardless. This tells the server that I'm willing to take a risk on you, up front. The ball is now in your court, to screw this up, so I never come back here again.
3. I simply wouldn't go back to a restaurant, where the service wasn't great. Especially after pre pay. So homestly, I'm always in control.
4. Among other things, I'm known as the guy who always pays well, right after he orders at many restaurants across North America.
5. Dull steak knives. Over cooked meat. Aren't the errors of the server. Inform the manager. They want to know this !
PS. The Best bone in rib eye m/rare www.mortons.com
@Laura Ha ha! I was about to post a very similar story - actually almost the exact same story - about D and one of his friends. They put a stack of dollar bills on the table at Hooters and told the waitress that was her potential tip. When she messed up, a dollar would be taken away. D says the waitress's look every time they reached for a dollar was hilarious. It's funny enough that I can forgive him for his jerkdom.
At any rate, I agree with J. Money about the variables involved, and I don't think the method would work for me. I'd like to know that the waiter/waitress had enough work ethic to give me good service without knowing they'd get a tip. Though I know waitstaff make, like, no money, it's still their job. I think tips should be based on great service, not on mediocre service, but I still tip every time I eat out... Unless the service is exceptionally awful. And I would really be kicking myself if I tipped before the service, and it ended up being terrible. No pre-tipping for me!
Boy it's been a while since I re-read this post, thx for commenting ;) To this day I still haven't heard any funnier tipping stories than yours and Laura's.
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