December 9th marks the first-ever Bartender Appreciation Day, and to recognize those hard-working individuals, Sailor Jerry Rum has commissioned a survey to gauge the tipping habits of Americans, revealing some very interesting facts.
The survey was performed by Harris Interactive on behalf of Sailor Jerry Rum, and found that the majority of Americans value a good bartender more than a stylish bar, reflecting the important role bartenders play in today’s society.
The survey findings include:
• The majority of Americans think a bartender is more important than décor: 76% of respondents who visit bars agree that a good bartender is more important than how trendy the décor of the bar is, showing how important the role of the bartender is to a customer’s experience.
• Americans are good tippers: 74% of respondents that visit bars tip a bartender more than 15%, reflecting America’s reputation as a nation of tippers. Unsurprisingly, 74% of respondents also believe that the better they tip, the better service they’ll receive.
• The South has the best tippers: Respondents in the South are the most generous tippers, with 57% of those who visit a bar tipping a bartender more than 20%.
• Tipping is Sexy: 63% of female respondents who visit a bar find people who leave good tips for bartenders more appealing, while 60% of men find the same.
• Being a bad tipper can be a dating deal breaker: 44% of respondents who visit bars agree that they would never go out on another date with a person if they did not tip the bartender. Of this, women lead the pack, with 51% saying they would not go on another date, with only 37% of men feeling the same way.
• Men, however, are better tippers: Perhaps because of the above, men who visit bars are more likely than women to leave large tips of more than 20%, with 57% of these men professing their generosity, compared to 50% of women.
• 21-34 year olds are the best tippers: of all respondents who visit bars, people between the ages of 21-24 tip the highest with 61% tipping 16% or more, compared to only 47% of respondents over 45 years of age.
“Bartenders serve a hugely important role in society, and we want to encourage Americans to take the time to appreciate that,” said Daniel Deephouse, Brand Manager for Sailor Jerry Rum. “Bartenders can be friends, confidants and pillars of the community and, as the survey shows, their expertise can significantly improve the experience of being in a bar. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is the busiest time for bartenders and with that in mind, on December 9th, we hope to see people across America show their appreciation!”
In addition to staging a series of events across the country on December 9th, Sailor Jerry is also running an online contest, where bartenders are encouraged to amass virtual tips from customers for the chance to win a cash prize.
For more information, visit www.bartendersday.com.
