The Principle of Reciprocity

People are inherently conditioned to adhere to the principle of reciprocity, which dictates that if someone gives to you, you feel obligated to return the favor. This concept applies across various cultures from childhood, teaching that favors done prompt the expectation for a similar act in return. An example given was a promotional strategy used by McDonald's, where providing balloons to children upon entry resulted in their families purchasing 25% more food compared to when balloons were handed out after exiting. This illustrates that going first, by offering something valuable, can create a sense of obligation in clients, fostering a favorable outcome in business interactions.