How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Make Food Emotional

Techniques > Tipping > How to Get a Bigger Tip > Make Food Emotional

Description | Discussion | See also

Description

Rather than describe food simply with its name, build emotional connection between the customer and individual dishes.

• Use sensory language that stimulates their taste buds. Say 'In the mouth, it is like little tangy explosions, yet it slides down with a wonderful warmth.'
• Use sensory language that connects with the body. Say 'It tingles out from your tongue and envelops your whole body with a long stroke that is smooth and calming.'
• Use metaphor. Say 'This cream pie is like the clouds on a summer's day.'
• Use emotion words. Say 'I love the way this makes you feel just fabulous.'
• Subtly move from 'I' words to 'you' words. Say 'When I bite into it, you know how it feels when you just feel great.'

Discussion

 When you use emotional language and descriptions, you stimulate their emotions. And when they get emotional, their decisions get less rational and they become more susceptible to spending more than they might otherwise have planned. Which of course leads to a bigger tip for you.

See also

Decisions, Emotions