Are you a tipping category hotel worker? Do you want to increase your tipping income by 10 to 30 percent?

Yes? Then read Michael Lynn’s “Mega Tips: Scientifically Tested Techniques to Increase Your Tips.” Lynn explains 14 methods that are proven to increase your tips. Prof. Lynn’s has given us permission to reprint his tips in the Voice of the ILWU. In the Nov-Dec 2008 issue we printed Tip #7 - Repeat Customers’s Order and #11 Smile.

“Mega Tips” can be freely downloaded from--www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/chr/ pdf/showpdf/chr/research/tools/LynnMegaTipsFinal.pdf. Or call your ILWU Division Office or write to ILWU, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814 and we’ll mail you a copy.

14 methods of increasing your tips

Last month we covered tip numbers 7 & 11, and this month we cover numbers 1, 2, and 12. Look for next issue of VOICE of the ILWU, when we will give your more “tips on tips”!

1. Wear something unusual (like a flower) - increases tip by 17% (Jan./Feb. 2009 VOICE) 

2. Introduce yourself by name - increases tip by 53% (Jan./Feb. 2009 VOICE) 

3. Suggesting drinks, appetizers, deserts - increases tip by 23%.

4. Squat next to the table - increases tip by 20-25%. 

5. Touch your customers - increases tip by 22 to 42%. 

6. Telling customers a joke - increases tip by 40%. 

7. Repeat customers’ orders - increases tip by 100% (Nov./Dec. 2008 VOICE) 

8. Call your customers by name - increases tip by 10%. 

9. Draw on the check - increases tip by 18%. 

10. Use check folder with credit card insignia - increases tip by 25%. 

11. Big Smile - increases tip by 140% (Nov./Dec. 2008) 

12. Write “Thank you” on the check - increases tip by 13% (Jan./Feb. 2009 VOICE) 

13. Forecast good weather - increases tip by 18%. 

14. Give customers candy - increases tip by 18-21%.

“Mega Tips” can be freely downloaded from www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/chr/pdf/showpdf/chr/ research/tools/LynnMegaTipsFinal.pdf.