How To Get Better Tips, Wear Something In Your Hair, Says Research – Research On Tipping Behaviour And Nonverbal Body Language
Christopher Philip
Tipping behaviour is well researched as it is vital for restaurant and bar staff as well as other service based industries. Previous studies have shown a variety of behaviours which increases the chances of being tipped, much of which is quite simple and easy to implement especially if you are in the type of business where you find yourself in the direct service to others. However, even if you aren’t in service, implementing the tactics will increase the positive impressions you make on others. Best of all, it will happen totally out of their conscious awareness.
For example, many studies have shown that light touching of another’s forearm or shoulder has positive benefits on cooperation and compliance. Just the same, touching increases the likelihood of receiving a tip at a bar or restaurant.
In a new study by French researchers Céline Jacob, Nicolas Guéguen and Christine Delfosse Business Department, Université de Bretagne-Sud, Vannes, France it was found that simple ornamentation lead to greater tipping.
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Their study included 665 restaurant customers from a small city in France. Each patron was seated alone as a condition of being selected for the study. The study tracked 11 female servers aged 19-26. They were not told the purpose of the study. The servers were instructed to maintain relatively consistent behaviour, hair styles, dress and to wear no other jewelry. They were assigned one of four conditions; to wear a bird ornament, sprig of black current ornament, a red rose or no ornament at all. Each ornament was placed in the same location in their hair and selected to be approximately the same size in each of the four conditions. Observations continued for 6 weeks.
In France it is mandated that a 12% surcharge be added for gratuity, so tipping was voluntary. Results showed that when servers wore an ornament, no matter what the type, flower, bird, or sprig of black current, they received a tip more often and for a larger amount of money than when they wore nothing at all. Interestingly, male and female patrons both tipped with the same frequency.
The message is quite clearly summed up by the researchers “Our findings have some practical interest for waitresses who want to increase their incomes by increasing the tips left by customers. Hair ornamentation is an easy and inexpensive method to use.” They continue, “The systematic use of this technique could therefore potentially increase employee income. Managers, then, should encourage their waitresses to use such ornamentation in their hair.”
Interestingly, a few studies have revealed other cues that increase tipping. They include having larger breasts, having blond hair, a smaller body size and being more physically attractive. Okay, so you probably can’t easily increase your breast size, but you could wear clothing that reveals what you already have, or invest in some gel bra inserts – if you are so inclined. Wearing cosmetics is another easy way to increase physical attractiveness.
Other ways researchers have found to increase tips include:
1) Introducing yourself by name to customers
2) Repeat the verbal order back to customers
3) Write “thank you” on the back of the receipt
4) Draw a smiley face or picture of the sun on the check
5) Give customers a big open-mouthed smile
6) Touch the customers
7) Crouch next to the table
8) Wearing cosmetics (but only effective on male patrons)
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many tricks and tips that men can use to boost tipping. Perhaps this is the reason that men don’t find themselves in service roles as often and when they work in restaurants, habitually working in the kitchen or rise to managerial roles.
A simple and practical use of ornamentations is something anyone can afford to do! And let us strip the conclusion from the present study and use it across context. The assumption must be made that simple ornamentation can yield positive results in day-to-day interactions. It is certainly something that shouldn’t be ignored if we wish to make positive impressions on others and influence them in ways we desire.
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Resources
Céline Jacob A, Nicolas Guéguen A and Christine Delfosse A. She Wore Something in Her Hair: The Effect of Ornamentation on Tipping. Journal of Hospitality Marketing And Management, 2019; 21: 414–420.
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