Last updated : Friday, February 26, 2010

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How to Tip Your Way to the Top

To any man about town, tipping is one of the secrets of life. Unfortunately, too many men today have never been instructed in the art of tipping.  As a result, when they tip, they’re awkward. They act like clods and the tip ends up sending the wrong message. 

That’s right, the art of tipping goes far beyond the customary fifteen  percent at the end of a restaurant meal.  As we first saw in How To Make A Restaurant Reservation, effective tipping is about respect and building relationships.  A man about town isn’t a one-hit-wonder, he has a community of people who he appreciates and who appreciate him.

Let’s start with the basics:

1- There's no such thing as over-tipping.
No man ever received bad service because he was generous.  Generally as a  rule, a tip should be above average (keep in mind, a twenty is the new five).  Figure out what the average is and give more.  For instance, if it’s two dollars at coat check, give a five.  

2- Make tipping a way of being rather than a tactic.
When you find a great restaurant, bar or club, you will probably want to make this place part of your regular rounds about town.  Tipping is a way of being remembered and bringing out the best in people.  In psychology, there is a phrase "the law of effect".  If you reinforce a behavior, it has a greater likelihood of recurring. You will be amazed at the results.

Here are some specific scenarios and how to treat your tip.

Restaurants

Think of the restaurant staff as individuals all working hard to make your dining experience a remarkable one.  Spread your appreciation around and before you think that this is just throwing money away, consider what the point of eating out is: excellent cuisine and a wonderful experience.  

Clubs

Never give money at the door in some clumsy attempt to gain access.  This is the fastest way to strike out and you’ll look like a buffoon.  Instead, if you’ve gotten into that hot club, had a great time and intend to come back, there’s no harm in thanking the door staff on the way out. 

Bars

You can never over-tip the bartender.  Here’s an interesting fact that you may not know - the more elite the club or bar and the more expensive the drinks, the more your tip will stand out (face it, if each drink is $20, no one’s tipping the bartender).

Barbers

Got a great haircut?  Give him a twenty.  The next time you go into that barber shop you won’t have a long wait and, more importantly, you will have reinforced your preferences and create the kind of familiarity that will make a haircut a lot more pleasant than a visit to the dentist (whom you never tip by the way).

Hotel Cleaning Staff

Find out who the person is who cleans your room when you arrive and give them twenty dollars. You may not see them again, but if you stay there more than a day or two, you most likely will. Being generous here will make your hotel experience even better.

Parking Lot Attendant

You want to be sure the parking lot attendant  doesn't "bury you.” Easy access to your car is key. Generally give the attendant a ten and get to know him a bit. Here, too, is another opportunity to extend a bit of kindness to a person in a job that often goes without thanks.

For more on learning how to become your own brand, click here. And pick up the book, People Buy Brands Not Companies.

John Tantillo, PhD, is a marketing and branding expert who in addition to his work in the corporate world focuses the marketing lens on personal branding and lifestyle issues. He is the author of the recently published People Buy Brands, Not Companies.

 

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