How to Increase Tips for Waiters, Waitresses, and Servers

• This is advice to increase tips for Waiters, Waitresses, and Servers. Other advice can be found for:

  • General Advice
  • Delivery Drivers
  • Shuttle Bus Drivers
  • Baristas

• Go the Extra Mile

  If your guest asks for an extra napkin, bring more than one. Just don't go overboard.

• Be Personable

  Some servers view this as being on stage, or assuming a different persona while at work. Leave your troubles at the door. Enjoy your job and smile often.

• Give Your Name

  Make sure your guests know your name. This will help them to connect with you on a personal level. Try to use their names as well. People like to hear their own names.

• Compliment

  Compliment their menu choice.

• Memory

  Try to remember the orders for the entire table without writing it down. If the customers are regulars, it helps to remember some things about them. Don't go overboard, but you could ask if they are still enjoying their new car or if they enjoyed that vacation they were talking about taking.

• Use Humor

  Humor can put your customers at ease and loosen their wallets. The Tip Jar Stickers and Buttons on this site are meant to encourage tipping with a gentle humorous reminder. They are not meant to "guilt" the customer into leaving a tip. A guilty tip is not going to be as big as a voluntary tip.

• Hygiene

  Be professional and clean. Do not wear excessive jewelry. Do not wear cologne or perfume, it interferes with the smell of the food. Do not smell of cigarette smoke.

• Follow Up

  Check back often to make sure your customers have everything they need. Never let their drinks run out.

• Sell More

  A bigger check means a bigger tip. Offer them drinks or seconds, offer dessert suggestions, offer an after-dinner espresso or cappuccino.

• Body Language

  If your hands are free, clasp them in front or behind. Hands at your sides or in your pockets exudes disinterest. Smile often and make eye contact.

• Be Knowledgeable

  Know your menu or product and be prepared to answer questions. Make sure you know the soup of the day and any daily specials before you engage a customer.

• Bring the Right Change

  If the change is $5, a couple of bad things can happen. If you give them a $5 and they don't have change, they may not tip you. If you give them ones, some people will see that as blatantly trying to get a tip and not tip you. The solution is to say "That's $5 in change. How would you like that? A five? Ones? Maybe some quarters for the car wash? Nickels for the slot machines? Pennies for the fountain?"

• Put on a Happy Face

  If you are a female server, put a happy face on the bill. This is likely to increase your tips. However, if you are a male server, DO NOT try this, it is likely to decrease your tips. A simple "Thank you!" on the check will also work.

• Should I Kneel or Touch?

  There was a Cornell study that showed these tactics worked to increase tips, but I don't recommend them. Each time a server has touched me, it has made me uncomfortable and it has earned me dirty looks from my date. Kneeling servers can also make the patrons uncomfortable. The server is not a guest at the table and they pose a risk of being tripped over by someone carrying food or dishes. You will see these suggestions in several places on the internet, but my advice is to avoid them.