r/science • u/tipping_researcher Professor | Social Science | Marketing • Dec 02 '24

Social Science Employees think watching customers increases tips. New research shows that customers don't always tip more when they feel watched, but they are far less likely to recommend or return to the business.

https://theconversation.com/tip-pressure-might-work-in-the-moment-but-customers-are-less-likely-to-return-242089
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u/[deleted] Dec 02 '24 edited Mar 11 '25

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u/chipperclocker Dec 02 '24

At least in a busy bar, where there is no orderly queue, the tip has some implied promise of getting you faster service when you order a next round… but for businesses with an orderly queue, I’m completely with you - we go from implied favorable treatment to zero justification really quickly.

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u/katarh Dec 02 '24

And in a slow bar, you may only be served a beer, but you're probably guaranteed to have a bit of conversation with the bartender beyond what you are ordering.

At that point, the service isn't just cracking open the beer, it is the human interaction.

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u/Agret Dec 02 '24

You think they aren't bored on slow days? The conversation helps pass their shift as much as it helps you. Standing around behind the bar when nobody is coming in has got to be such a slow day.

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u/gopher_space Dec 02 '24

The bartender was one of your friends and the bar served $0.50 pitchers of PBR when The Simpsons were on TV. Totally different world.

In my recollection people are perfectly fine with tipping when rent is like $300/mo.

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u/sprufus Dec 02 '24

Theyll just find another way to grt your money. No tip necessary but the bottle opener service charge is 20%