The Effect of Generalized Compliments, Sex of Server, and Size of Dining Party on Tipping Behavior in Restaurants†

  1. John S. Seiter1,*,
  2. Harry Weger, Jr.2

Article first published online: 14 JAN 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00560.x

Issue

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Volume 40, Issue 1, pages 1–12, January 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Seiter, J. S. and Weger, Jr., H. (2010), The Effect of Generalized Compliments, Sex of Server, and Size of Dining Party on Tipping Behavior in Restaurants. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 40: 1–12. doi: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00560.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication Utah State University

  2. 2

    Nicholson School of Communication University of Central Florida

* John S. Seiter, Department of Languages, Philosophy, and Speech Communication, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0720. E-mail: john.seiter@usu.edu

  1. †

    1The authors thank Darren Edwards, Misty Godfrey, Launey Ivers, and Lindsay Meintel for their assistance with data collection.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 JAN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 14 JAN 2010

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This study examined the effects of food servers' sex, the use of generalized compliments, and the size of the dining party on tipping behavior in restaurants. Four food servers (2 males, 2 females) waited on 360 parties eating dinner, and either complimented or did not compliment the parties on their dinner selections. Results indicated that food servers received significantly higher tips when complimenting their parties than when not complimenting them, although as the size of the party increased, the effectiveness of compliments decreased. These results and their implications are discussed.

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