During our journey travelling to different destinations, food indeed forms a priority. We often plan what to eat for breakfast or where to head for lunch depending upon our itinerary for the day. It is important to stick to a budget while travelling lest we end up spending too much. However, sometimes our budget meals often end up exceeding what we planned to spend and that too for no reason. Recently, a tourist in Italy was left shocked after he was billed two euros for asking the waiter to cut his sandwich in half.
Believe it or not, the incredible incident took place in June at a restaurant named Bar Pace in Gera Laio near Lake Como, Italy. The anonymous visitor revealed his restaurant experience in the review section of popular website TripAdvisor, as he gave it a one-star review and it was then reported by multiple media channels. As per Independent, he uploaded a receipt on Trip Advisor in which there was a two euro (Rs 180 approx) charge for 'Diviso a meta' or dividing a sandwich. This was because he wanted to share the sandwich with his friend and thus asked for it to be cut in half. This was in addition to the other charges for the sandwich, coca cola and espresso coffee. He wrote in the review on TripAdvisor, "There were two of us and we asked for a toasted sandwich to share at the table. We have to pay because the toast was cut in half?"
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Meanwhile, reports suggested that the owner of the restaurant defended the extra charge for cutting the sandwich. "Additional requests have a cost. We had to use two plates instead of one and the time to wash them is doubled, and then two placemats. It wasn't a simple toasted sandwich, there were also French fries inside. It took us time to cut it in two," said owner Cristina Biacchi to Italian daily La Repubblica. She further said that had the customer objected to the bill there and then, they would have removed the charge. Meanwhile, TripAdvisor has paused reviews for the listing on their site. "Due to a recent event that has attracted media attention and has caused an influx of review submissions that do not describe a first-hand experience, we have temporarily suspended publishing new reviews for this listing," the website stated as per a report in New York Post.
What did you think of the incident? Tell us in the comments.
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.