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[title]A few years ago, going on a little coffee walk was often the highlight of our days. Not only was it a way to get outside and have our much needed social interaction for the day, it was also one of the only ways we could support local businesses and keep them open. Since then, Aussies have really learned the value of a dollar and that their money goes a long way to support their favourite restaurants and cafés.
Up until recently, a tipping culture hasn’t really existed in Australia and arguably it hasn’t really needed to. But there has been a generational shift, with Aussies being 233 per cent more likely to leave a tip today than four years ago.
Lauren Dinse, Time Out Melbourne’s Food and Drink Writer, has seen the effects of the cost of living crisis and still wanting to support the hospo industry.
“Through years of financial crises and lockdowns, we’ve seen first-hand the devastation that befalls our local hospo industry when small businesses are no longer able to make ends meet,” she says. “It takes an emotional toll on all involved. If we can help them in any way we can, then we will.”
“We want those who serve our community to feel the love.”
A greater cultural understanding of why tipping makes a difference to staff may be one reason, while technological advancements like EFTPOS tipping prompts is another. In new research conducted by Zeller, it was uncovered that diners aged 35 and under are the most likely to tip. The research also found that overall, diners are more likely to leave a tip when the transaction is processed through an EFTPOS terminal and they are prompted to do so.
Young people being the most likely tippers shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when they are more likely to be working in hospitality jobs themselves. They also know how much even the smallest gratuity adds to their paycheck.
Hazel Mcleod is a Bar Manager at True North in Melbourne and has worked in the hospitality industry for many years. She says that up until recently, it was rare for workers to get tips in this newly cashless society.
“EFTPOS tipping benefits the workers because in a mostly cashless society, workers got used to just never getting tips,” she says. “Since having it integrated into the system, I find people are more willing to add a little something for the service they have received without having to fish through their wallet.
“I also think hospitality workers and going out are seen in a new light after COVID and an outing is treated like a special occasion, so people aren’t afraid to indulge.”
To accommodate these changes in tipping etiquette, companies like Zeller offer inbuilt tipping functions into the terminal design. The newly launched Zeller Terminal 2 presents customers with discreet tipping prompts at check-out, which they can choose to opt in or out of. Zeller also offers advice for businesses to maximise their tips, including how to update percentage prompts to reflect how customers are actually tipping.
Intrigued by how technology is transforming Australia's dining scene? Learn more at myzeller.com and sign up for free to order the Zeller Terminal 2 exclusively at myzeller.com.