Beyond the Total: The Viral Rise of Funny Receipt Messages in 2026

For most of us, receipts are the last place to look for a laugh. We usually crumple them up and toss them before leaving the store. But according to recent social media trends, some creative cashiers are turning these boring slips of paper into viral gold through funny receipt messages.

How Funny Receipt Messages Change the Shopping Experience

Imagine finishing a meal and finding 1 Kindness listed on your bill with a price of zero. It's a small gesture, but it's one that stays with the customer far longer than the meal itself. Restaurants and bars are increasingly using the bottom of the receipt—traditionally reserved for 'Thank You'—to share jokes or personalized notes.

The Legend of the CVS Receipt

No discussion about receipts is complete without mentioning CVS. Their notoriously long receipts have become a cultural phenomenon. One user reportedly used their receipt as a window blind for over 9 months, while others have fashioned them into scarves. What started as an inconvenience has morphed into a platform for creativity.

Hidden Easter Eggs for Customers

From Pikachu drawings to dramatic warnings like 'Take your phone, wallet, and keys,' these messages add a layer of human connection to a mechanical process. Whether it's a doughnut shop employee printing a Taco Cat or a waitress signing her name as 'Crazy Linda,' these micro-interactions are redefining customer service in 2026.