What Psychology Reveals About People Who Help the Waiter Clear the Table

The Big Five personality model, often summarized as OCEAN—Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—helps explain why certain people are drawn to such acts.

This particular behavior aligns closely with agreeableness, the trait associated with kindness, empathy, and cooperation. People who score high in this area often help others without expecting recognition. Their satisfaction comes from knowing they contributed to someone’s comfort, even in a setting as ordinary as a restaurant.

They understand that service work can be exhausting and that every small kindness—an extra hand, a sincere “thank you”—lightens the load.

The Role of Upbringing and Core Values

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