The Mary Sue
‘This is why I stopped tipping’: Server reveals how she upsells customers on al…
A server says she boosted her tips using a subtle strategy to upsell alcohol. However, others say the trick may be unethical.
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Strategic Upselling: How One Sentence Can Boost Tips for Servers
A recent video by TikTok user okay.kelsey, a self-proclaimed expert in money-making tips for servers and bartenders, highlights a simple yet effective strategy to increase tips through upselling. The video, uploaded on July 18, 2025, from the US, demonstrates how altering a single sentence can significantly impact a server's earnings. Kelsey advises against open-ended questions like 'Do you have a preference in vodka?' which can lead to a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. Instead, she suggests a more strategic approach: 'Tito's okay for you?' This phrasing subtly guides the customer towards a premium option, leveraging psychology to encourage a higher-value purchase. 'Upselling is not hard; it's strategic,' Kelsey states, emphasizing the difference between direct questioning and subtle suggestion. The technique aims to increase the average check size, ultimately leading to higher tips for service industry workers.
