Sneaky!
Eating out is something that many see as a luxurious occasion, and it can also be quite pricey. Because with a bottle of wine (or two), a starter, main course and dessert and some tip, such an evening of dining can quickly add up to a lot of costs. But did you know that restaurants also use little tricks, which means you unknowingly spend even more money?
1. Cheapest dishes first
Do you usually choose the last dish on the menu? You don’t always make that choice because you happen to think this is the tastiest dish. Research (paste research here) shows that dishes that you read last are remembered best. The first-mentioned, cheap dishes do not stick in the memory and that is exactly why the last dishes on the menu are the most expensive. Smart…
2. The extremely expensive option
People are generally inclined not to choose the cheapest option on the menu, but also not to choose the most exclusive. That is why there is often a very expensive dish or drink on the menu, which means that the price difference with the other items is large and people have the feeling that they have chosen a ‘good deal’.
3. Nostalgia
Do you see dishes such as ‘Grandma’s apple pie’ or ‘Grandmother’s meatballs in gravy’ on the menu? There is a good chance that it is not a family recipe, but a devious trick to persuade you to order this dish. By using these types of terms you are easily and unconsciously persuaded to order the dish.
4. The choice between a small and large portion
People want to leave the restaurant feeling satisfied and therefore not eating too little. If there is a choice between a small and large portion, the second is usually ordered. You pay more, while the small option is often more than adequate.
5. Juicy descriptions
Descriptions can easily convince you. For example, your mouth is probably already watering when you read about ‘Creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh whipped cream and homemade chocolate sauce’ or ‘Slowly cooked chicken breast from the oven with fresh cranberry gravy.’
6. The price on the card
Have you ever noticed that there is no euro sign next to the prices on the menu? That’s no coincidence. When we see a euro sign we become more aware of the price and restaurants prefer not to do that.
Source: Bankrate | Image: Adobe Stock
