Customer shocked by €15.60 extra charge on bill after dining in Austria

Restaurant patron discovers unexpected additional fee upon checking receipt at home

Extra charge raises questions about common practices in Austrian hospitality industry

A recent incident in Austria has sparked outrage among restaurant patrons after a customer discovered an unexpected €15.60 extra charge on their bill after dining out.

The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, visited a restaurant in Vienna and ordered a meal that came to a total of €35.40. However, upon checking the receipt at home, they were shocked to find an additional €15.60 charge listed as "Servicepauschale" (service fee).

The customer contacted the restaurant to inquire about the extra charge, but was told that it is a common practice in Austria to add a service fee to the bill. The customer was not informed of this fee at any point during their dining experience.

The incident has raised questions about the common practices in the Austrian hospitality industry and whether or not restaurants are being transparent with their customers about additional charges.

Some customers have expressed their outrage at the practice of adding a service fee without informing customers upfront, while others have argued that it is a fair way for restaurants to make up for the rising costs of labor.

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce has stated that there is no legal obligation for restaurants to inform customers about service fees, but it is considered good practice to do so.

The incident has also prompted calls for greater transparency in the hospitality industry, with some customers suggesting that restaurants should be required to list all additional charges on their menus.