Penny for your thoughts on tipping?
What does tech have to do with tips? Transactions happening on newer tablets (pictured above) are starting to make the headlines, and not just because they are bringing in more than the jar. The noticeable hike in a) higher tipping percentages and b) backlash are also raising questions about dark design, the Hawthorne effect and even the impact of the pandemic on the ever-evolving tip culture; all points that Dr. Olivier St-Cyr, an expert on Human-Computer Interaction, addresses in his recent interviews.
As folks know, we have been fortunate to have Dr. Olivier St-Cyr as a Visiting Associate Professor of Teaching at UBC iSchool since the Fall of 2022. Outside of his academic year at UBC, he is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream in the University of Toronto’s Fa
culty of Information and is a cross-appointed professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.
With his academic expertise (Honours BA in Computer Science and Psychology from York University; MASc in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo; PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto) and years of experience working in the industry, it’s no surprise that outlets have been asking him exactly what is it about these new tablets that compel folks to tip more or boycott tipping altogether.
To find out more about the fascinating intersections between psychology, UX design and tipping, check out these recent features with Dr. St-Cyr: CBC article, CBC News Vancouver, The Wall Street Journal, The Current podcast.
