Receiving a high tip from a customer after having a great rapport is one of the greatest feelings a restaurant employee can have. In one bartender’s case, a quick joke during service ended up leaving her with an additional chunk of change.
The TikToker, who goes by the name Mama Bat (@geminhighast), shared a bartending story where she ended up with a 30% tip after serving two flamboyant men. The reason why? Because of a sly joke about trees and bushes.
As of this writing, Mama Bat’s video has more than 600 views.
What happened with these customers?
Mama Bat, who works at a bar, said that she was working a shift when two men walked through the door.
“Two gay guys came in, very flamboyant, wearing pride flags and all,” she said. “They ordered some margaritas.”
Mama Bat said she has a process when making margaritas. “I always draw something … on the lime wheel or orange wheel garnish… with chamoy …like a happy face … or a star.”
Mama Bat told her audience that she came back with their margaritas, which had one of her characteristic designs—hearts on the rim.
“I said, ‘I made them with love.’ And the guy said, ‘Oh, honey, you’re barking up the wrong tree.’ And I said, ‘I don’t bark up trees. I bark up bushes. 30% tip.’”
Why do customers sometimes leave bigger or smaller tips?
While Mama Bat was simply sharing an anecdote from bartending, is there any psychology behind why she received a large tip?
Technically, there are a variety of reasons why the men could have left a larger tip. It could’ve been their general policy to leave larger tips when getting drinks. But it’s also possible that Mama Bat managed to gain affinity with the two men, which made them increase how much they tipped her.
Perceived similarity is correlated with increased compliance with requests. A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people often rely on heuristic processing, or low-effort decision-making processes, to make decisions. When the study’s participants thought they shared an uncommon or rare feature, such as a birthday, first name, or fingerprint, they were more likely to comply with a request than those who did not have an incidental similarity.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that sharing a trait such as being LGBTQ+ may not necessarily be rare or uncommon enough to be the only reason informing increased affinity. Many LGBTQ+ folks do feel a sense of solidarity within the community, which may inform increased appreciation through a higher tip. Social dynamics within the LGBTQ+ community, however, are varied. There are affirming in-group dynamics between LGBTQ+ people, but there are also internal tensions.
Outside of a shared commonality, tipping is often seen as a function of in-group signalling and is largely informed by social dynamics. Jokey anecdotes that establish rapport can create a social dynamic, thus leading to increased affinity.
Subplot News reached out to Mama Bat via TikTok direct message for comment.
