Sob Story

Techniques > Tipping > How to Get a Bigger Tip > Sob Story

Description | Discussion | See also

Description

If the opportunity arises, tell them a sob story, something about your life that makes them sorry for you.

Be careful with this. Do not just launch into a long tale of woe, as this will just annoy them and could get you fired. Whatever you say, keep it brief and don't over-do it. Look like you are letting slip a few details rather than telling a whole story, and immediately become positive again. Only do this when you have established a relationship with them.

Sometimes customers ask you how you are doing, at which you could smile wanly and say something like, 'Oh, bearing up, thank you'. If they enquire further, give them a little more detail, such as 'just missing my little boy' or 'I'm working my way through college and it's just been a bit hard recently'. Beware of directly mentioning financial woes as this can seem rather obviously aimed at increasing the tip.

Discussion

People go to restaurants to have a good time, and servers who moan at them can ruin that good time. If servers help them have a good time then they will get rewarded. If the customer thinks the server is trying to manipulate them, then they will punish the server with a lower tip.

If a customer decides they like a server, then hearing the serve is down on their luck will make the customer want to help a little, and of course a bigger tip is the best way.

It also helps when the server goes from slightly negative to positive as it seems they are making an extra effort for the customer.