Maybe I'm ruining it for everyone, but when I've gone to New York's budding "no tip" restaurants, I've thrown a cash tip on the bill.
Guess what happened next? I was asked my name, and the next times I went, I got seated faster, comped chef's recommendations and a generally friendlier interaction with my server. Same thing happens abroad, where the locals don't tip well.
I don't understand how people get shocked by fundamental rules of incentives.
(Side note: this works everywhere. No, I don't put cash on my banker's or retail clerk's counter. But I do make an effort, particularly when doing things they'll earn a commission on, to do my business with them. In exchange for the minor hassle I have a better experience and get an enjoyable relationship out of what would otherwise be drudgery.)
As a New Yorker, I honestly don't know what you're talking about. Tips are flat-out refused at the no-tip restaurants. And the idea that your tip was tracked in a database and that you actually got better service the next time because of it is entirely in your mind, I'm sorry.
There's actually a tremendous amount of research on incentives, and they don't always result in the behavior you'd think.
> Tips are flat-out refused at the no-tip restaurants
From experience, they are not. I don't typically carry cash, and actually draw it to test this hypothesis every time I visit no-tip restaurants. The first time I do it, I am usually reminded I am at a no-tip restaurant. After I insist on the excellence of the service the tip is always accepted.
> the idea that your tip was tracked in a database
Database? It's just a server, bartender, maître d', restaurant owner, et cetera remembering your name and face.
Perhaps. But the waiter still manages, the next time I come, to speed up my wait, have the chef (or owner, if he or she were in) drop by the table, et cetera. From what I can tell, in conversations with them, they each appreciate the gesture.
I will admit my observations are co-mingled with regularity.
What would generally happen if you tried that in a place that stated they didn't accept tips in the UK would probably be that you'd be smiled at, your money would go in a charity tin and the server would make a mental note to serve you last next time. I suspect your ego would then simply reject the obviously bad service you received the next time and you would convince yourself that you had somehow benefited rather than accept that your previous actions were arrogant, culturally imperialistic and unwise.
Guess what happened next? I was asked my name, and the next times I went, I got seated faster, comped chef's recommendations and a generally friendlier interaction with my server. Same thing happens abroad, where the locals don't tip well.
I don't understand how people get shocked by fundamental rules of incentives.
(Side note: this works everywhere. No, I don't put cash on my banker's or retail clerk's counter. But I do make an effort, particularly when doing things they'll earn a commission on, to do my business with them. In exchange for the minor hassle I have a better experience and get an enjoyable relationship out of what would otherwise be drudgery.)