Servers already go through a lot in the restaurant industry–between wrangling entitled customers and dealing with tip-less tables, it’s a wonder they don’t crash out more on the job.
Especially when many have learned that good service and great food will only go so far with guests. This has been proved time and again when great servers receive measly tips–until they change something that has nothing to do with their service.
This is what one server’s boss strongly believed after he suggested she change something about her appearance. But was he out of line, or did he have a point?
TikToker Gabriela (@gabgabthesav) shared her boss’s piece of advice to 2.2 million viewers–and not everyone was on board.
“My boss just said that if I wear makeup, I would make more tips,” Gabriela begins in her clip. She films her video while behind the counter at her workplace. The text overlay reveals Gabriela had over 10 tables, all hosting one to three people.
She then asks her viewers to join her in counting her tips. In total cash tips, Gabriela made $69. As for credit card tips, she earned $61.77. In total, Gabriela says she made $130.77–all without wearing makeup.
‘Your boss needs a new job’
Several of Gabriela’s viewers thought the boss crossed a boundary by telling her to wear makeup. Others believed he was downright wrong for assuming makeup would lead Gabriela to earn more.
“Girl, you don’t need makeup, but your ‘boss’ needs a new job,” a top comment read.
Some viewers claimed they never tip based on their waitstaff’s appearance.
“I don’t give tips based on looks,” one said. “It depends on service.” Another echoed, “Your personality and kindness, more important than a little makeup. BTW, $32.50 an hour, not bad! Plus, TAX FREE, NOW!!!”
Another also agreed that their tipping habits have nothing to do with whether the server was wearing makeup.
However, one user who identified themselves as a veteran in the industry had a contrasting opinion.
“He is right!” they wrote. “Bartender 24 years. Wear the make up.”
They might not be far off on that advice.
@gabgabthesav ? #fyp #serverlife ♬ original sound – hustler_dream
Do servers earn more if they wear makeup?
While Gabriela’s boss’s comment may have deserved its side-eyeing, there may have been some truth to it. Studies have shown that when female servers wear red lipstick, they receive more tips from men. One server learned this after she asked ChatGPT what she could do to increase her tips. The AI-bot appears to have advised her based on the research conducted by the University of Southern Brittany.
In another story the Mary Sue covered, a server took viewers shopping to Ross Dress for Less as she picked up beauty items she swears help her gratuity earnings. The woman picked up lip gloss, fake eyelashes, and highlighter.
But it seems like makeup isn’t the only thing that can affect a female server’s earnings. Last year, the “Pigtail Theory” went viral after servers found out that men tipped them more when they wore their hair in pig tails (talk about creepy.) A trend began where servers tried different hairstyles and rated them based on how much they earned. Braids and pigtails were the most popular.
As for Gabriela, she seems to be doing just fine without wearing makeup. However, one commenter asked her to compare her earnings by wearing makeup next time. Gabriela replied, “On it.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Gabriela via TikTok direct message.
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