The first step to generosity

It’s 5pm. 

I’m walking in. 

My favorite restaurant just opened. 

I stop at the bar.

The tip jar is already full. 

A couple of 1’s and a 5. 

Clever. 

By seeding the tip jar, baristas and bartenders send a signal to guests. 

“Other people are tipping, you should too.” 

or

“People who eat here, (people just like you), tip.”  

Social Proof. 

God forbid the jar is empty. 

Guests would believe no one is tipping, so why should they? 

And even worse, you’d be asking them to go first. 

Scary. 

And it’s the exact same with giving.