A few days ago I visited the Imperial Buffet. I’m not so sure what’s regal about it, but the kids love it. After all, what’s a meal without a plate of mixed pineapple, glazed donuts, chicken wings, pudding and crab rangoon?
A funny thing happened while we were there. One of my kids noticed a quarter under the table next to us and mentioned the fact while a server was cleaning up. That waitress picked up the quarter and gave it to my kid, asking “would you like this to feed the fish?” You see, the Imperial Buffet does have a really cool indoor carp pond and one of those fish food dispensers that you find at the zoo when you go to feed the animals. The kids love it.
That was a happy, unexpected surprise. And I felt obligated to repay the kindness, so I left an extra dollar tip. Social norming is a powerful experience: when we receive we want to give back. I’ll bet you anything that if the waiters and waitresses started giving each kid a quarter their tips would increase exponentially.
Have you benefited from this kind of ‘generosity’ at other businesses establishments?
AfriGadget
Kiva