Message 14465 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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> But -- Don't buy drinks ONLY for the "good tippers". 
> Do it for all the good PAYING customers.
> 
> Think of it in these terms.
> 
> Man A is sitting at the bar and only tips 15¢ on every 
> drink, But has spent upwards of $30+.
> 
> Man B comes in and tips you $1.75 per drink, 
> But only spends $10.
> 
> Which is the better customer from the bar's perspective?
> 
> If you buy man A a drink now and then, he might just begin
> tipping better. You never really know what will happen. 
> But there's a chance. At the very least, he'll come back.
> 
> If you buy man B a drink but not man A, man A might 
> begin to resent you and never return. Now you could have 
> possibly lost a customer that is valuable to the bar. 
> Which makes nobody happy.
> 
> Customer service is critical in this industry. You have 
> to be able to take the good with the bad and let it all 
> roll off your back. Heck, use customer B's tips to buy 
> one for mister A.

I can't get behind this logic.  I understand the bar is happier...duh, they 
get a drink sale and a happy customer...all at your expense.  There's no way 
the bar can lose in that scenario.  Unfortunately there's plenty of 
possibility that the bartender is going to blow a big chunk of tips that 
they'll never see again.

If I get somebody who's tipping me the non-paper change from their drink, I 
believe they are tipping out of obligation (or just don't want the change).  
Depending on the circumstances, I can occasionally also suspect the $1 
tippers, but at least I like that their obligational tipping makes the tip 
worth reaching for.  If I'm getting an obligational tip, I feel that it 
doesn't warrant obligational favors.  Occassionally obligational tippers might 
feel like matching your payment, but plenty of them will just think that they 
haven't got a reason to ever do any more for you.

My good tippers on the other hand, they are tipping me because they appreciate 
the service and appreciate me as a bartender.  I don't mind showing these 
customers that I appreciate them as well.

Btw, it's worth mentioning that some bars allow the bartender to comp drinks, 
which is a great way to take care of the frequent customers that aren't good 
tippers.  A smart bartender will spin it so that it sounds like they are 
poping for the drink.

-- 
Cody