Mel Robbins, a bestselling author and podcast host, shared an unexpected lesson she learned while working as a waitress about earning larger tips. She emphasized the importance of paying attention to women at the table. Robbins recalled advice from her ‘mentor-boss’ at the Red Rooster Tavern in Michigan about identifying who truly influences gratuity decisions.
Robbins was advised to discern who holds the sway over the tip amount. Contrary to common belief, Robbins noted, if a man covers the bill, he might not be the only one deciding the tip. Often, women at the table play a crucial role. Robbins explained, ‘When the check arrives and the service has been excellent, women often turn to their partners and say, “She was great. Give her a good tip.”‘ From this, she learned to prioritize great service for women.
While Robbins’ approach seems to highlight certain social dynamics of tipping, experts in hospitality and etiquette advise against ignoring anyone at the table. Robert Mahon, managing partner of Mahon Hospitality Group in New York, confirmed that a woman often has the final say on tips if a man pays, but he warned against neglecting others at the table. ‘Ignoring the men and focusing solely on the women is just bad hospitality,’ he stated.
Mahon emphasized that skilled servers should consider the entire group’s dynamics. ‘Good servers read the whole table. Everyone appreciates friendly and engaging service. Larger tips result from making everyone feel valued.’
Research supports the claim that there is more to earning generous tips than just providing good service. A study revealed that restaurant servers who complimented diners received significantly higher tips. This finding suggests small interactions can greatly influence customer gratuities.
Lisa Burdette, founder of the Dallas School of Etiquette, pointed out that women can indeed influence a man’s tipping decision, but stressed that servers should attend to all customers without overlooking anyone. ‘Etiquette dictates that the bill payer ultimately decides the gratuity,’ she said.
Peter Burke, a lifestyle editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to this piece, focusing on various lifestyle topics related to food and drink.
Leave a Reply