According to studies, introducing yourself by name increases tip size from 15% to 23%, touching diners on the shoulder when delivering the bill increases tips from 12% to 18%, and supplying an unexpected after-dinner mint improves the tip from 19% to 28%.

FORBES: Tips for Influencing the Size of Tips

But the research also shows that tip size is affected by the size of the dining party (larger groups tip more), the method of payment (credit cards yield higher percentages than checks or cash), and by the amount of alcohol consumed (not surprisingly).

FORBES: Tips for Influencing the Size of Tips

On the other hand, servers can obviously impact the size of a tip.

FORBES: Tips for Influencing the Size of Tips

Specifically, to what extent can the quality of service on second and subsequent visits be expected to vary based on the size of the tip on the first visit?

ECONOMIST: Mexican stand-off

And those include the bridge of the nose, the tip of the nose, the size of the mouth, the size of the eye, the cheekbone.

CNN: Facing up to airport security fears

The second new orchid, from the western tip of the island, dwarfs its neighbor in size.

MSN: Caribbean beauties: Two new orchid species found

The hut, which is the size of a garden shed, is on the southern tip of Mudeford Sandbank, Dorset, with views towards the Isle of Wight.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Dorset | 'Garden shed' beach hut for sale