Restaurants Are Convincing Customers To Tip Even More Using This Simple Trick

Scroll through social media, and you'll find everyone has a strong opinion about when, where, and how much to tip.

And lately, some folks are starting to feel like the whole tipping culture is spiraling a bit too much.

Whether it's for something as simple as a walk-in haircut or when you're shopping online, the expectation to tip seems to be popping up everywhere.

A lot of the time, people point fingers at businesses for pushing these tipping norms.

And it turns out, these businesses might be onto a sneaky little strategy that's actually working.

According to some fresh research that's been making rounds, there's a surprisingly straightforward trick that's been boosting the average restaurant tip by a solid 11 percent.

Tipping is a hugely divisive topic online. Credit: Getty Stock Photo

The brains behind this study, published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management, found something pretty interesting.

They say, "We establish that when emojis are included with tip suggestions during the payment transaction, customers tip at a higher percentage than when no emojis are included." 

It's all about the emojis, it seems. They also found that throwing in a few emojis not only bumps up tips but also makes people feel good while they're paying. 

"We also demonstrate that the presence of emojis increases the positive emotions experienced by customers during the payment transaction, which in turn positively impacts tipping percentage," the researchers added.

This emoji effect wasn't just seen in sit-down restaurants; it stretched all the way to third-party food delivery.

For those dining in, emoji use nudged the average tip from 22.8 percent to 25.38 percent.

On food-delivery apps, tips saw a leap from 14.66 percent to 16.11 percent. 

According to the study, a simple smiley faces does the trick. Credit: Getty Stock Photo

But the biggest jump was observed in takeout orders, where average tips shot up from 12.61 percent to an impressive 16.75 percent.

It's no secret that the frequent prompts to tip have been rubbing some folks the wrong way. 

Take, for example, a guy who was less than thrilled about being nudged to tip on a recent Starbucks order. 

The study's authors point out that this rising trend of 'excessive tipping' has made many people more mindful about how much they're tipping. 

"This effect is explained by positive emotions, such that the presence of emojis leads to a positive emotional experience for the customer, who in turn leaves a larger tip than they would when no emojis are included," they explain.

Turns out, seeing that smiley face can actually tickle a part of the brain called the occipitotemporal cortex, which plays a big role in how we perceive faces.

Essentially, those emojis are doing more than just sitting there looking cute; they're tapping into how we internalize facial expressions.

The study dives into various techniques that can bump up tipping, like drawing smiley faces or even the server squatting down to eye-level.

"Smiles are the most direct signal of positive emotions," the study points out. 

So, for that server who got called out for a 'shady tipping practice' for leaving a strategic note on the bill – maybe slipping in an emoji might have been a smoother move.