An Italian holiday may be a priceless experience for those who have enjoyed all this country has to offer. But the summer of 2023 will go down as one of the priciest in history after a slew of price gouging scandals at cafes and restaurants that have affected foreign tourists and Italians alike.
Tourists were also charged 2 euros for an extra – empty! – plate near Portofino in northern Italy, and 10 cents for a sprinkle of cocoa on a cappuccino at a Lake Como coffee bar.
Seems silly to nickel and dime people but American restaurants do the exact same shit over here. I don’t know why it is an outrage when you experience these business practices traveling abroad.
Where have you seen restaurants charge for an empty plate in the USA?
At least you mustn’t give tips to have the waiter reach the minimum wage.
* needn’t
I took a date out the other night for a drink and some food. We split a turkey sandwich and each ordered one basic cocktail. $41 + $9 tip. Could’ve made all that at home for less than $10. The US restaurant system as a whole is mental. Not even 5 years ago I had dozens of options during lunch to get a lunch special which included a whole bunch of stuff for less than $10. None of those options exist anymore, they’re all gone.
Overcharging at tourist traps is hardly a new phenomenon. I went to Italy in the late 90s and they were charging $4 for a 12oz can of Coke I could get for 25-50¢ at home.
I’m sure it was warm too
We just told them we aren’t paying the crazy prices. Shouted a bit and they let it go.
$2 to cut a sandwich in half
What a bunch of Gorlami.
they deserve it to be honest
Because you can’t afford to go to Italy?
Is it really gouging if people are willing to pay it to be fancy?
Tourism is cancer…
What is over lap between people bitching about climate change and going to 2 annual vacations with air travel?
I’m with you. I know it’s unpopular but fuck. I know so many people that espouse a green philosophy but won’t bat an eyelash at multiple intercontinental flights a year. And especially with the rise of air bnb tourism is just wreaking these places. Where I king, you’d get one travel pass in you twenties and another in your sixties.
