Ehi, Lettonia!
Volevo solo chiederti la tua opinione su un incontro interessante che io e i miei amici abbiamo avuto ieri in un ristorante.
Sono straniero, ma i miei due amici sono lettoni. Siamo andati ai vivaci grilbār e abbiamo ordinato cibo e bevande, ma il servizio è stato eccezionale. Vorremmo fare domande alla cameriera (in lettone) ma lei risponderebbe semplicemente "Non lo so" (in lettone).
Alla fine ho anche notato che includevano una mancia forzata del 10%, il che va bene, perché avremmo dato una mancia a prescindere da tale importo e il mio amico era pronto a dare una mancia extra prima che notassi la discrepanza. Tuttavia, sul conto avevano annotato che eravamo un gruppo di 8 persone. Nel mio paese sei costretto a dare la mancia solo quando hai 8 o più persone.
Mi chiedevo se fosse lo stesso qui in Lettonia? È qualcosa che viene regolarmente attirato dai turisti? Sembrava semplicemente falso e ha lasciato l’amaro.
Ps: abbiamo anche notato che c’era una promozione per girare la ruota se ordinavi la bistecca per vincere un qualche premio, ma quando abbiamo chiesto alla cameriera, lei ha risposto ancora una volta con "lei non lo sapeva".
https://i.redd.it/q8u17osqtaag1.jpeg
di Skyprotocol
11 commenti
Yes, we in Latvia too have, in some places, enforced tips for big parties. It is up to the place to decide how many people to charge extra – 6, 8, 10 or whatever. However, it is never 3.
Buzzing grillbar is a fine place, though, not known for scamming people. I think they either made a mistake, or have a new shitty waiter who does it on their own. Next time ask for the menu – it is there where the mandatory tip starting with “x amount of people” should be written.
Nothing illegal but forced service fees usually are for larger groups. If you were to tip anyways, what’s the issue? (but why would you with such an attitude? 😆)
Not a tourist scam.
Based on google review images of the menu – this place has a 10% service fee for groups of 8 or more people.
I believe some places include this 10%, but not all (and the % rate and person count might be different).
Regarding the service fee (tip), you can always decline paying it.
Customer service in Latvia is only a thing in Michelin restaurants. In general, customer service in Latvia is bad.
As per waiter, probably the person was new but also lacking any knowledge.
I’d leave a bad review.
Yes, unfortunately you were scammed.
Not much to do with it now, you should have argued with them while still there.
Still, if it isn’t a big bother, I would write a police report, it’s not going to do much, but still, it’s something. Otherwise this will go totally unnoticed.
P. S. There are places with 10% surcharge, regardless of the number of guests served, but this is clearly not the case
It is uncommon, and in terms of pricing they seem very reasonable. In my experience, an additional 10% service charge is usually applied by lowbrow establishments, often mentioned in small print at the very end of the menu.
100% running a scam. I would totally expect some kind of nominal surcharge for a party of 8 depending on place. But tipping culture in general just isn’t a thing here
But this, this you should have questioned management on this charge as well as whatever the spinning wheel was.
Was Estere just a pawn acting on management orders or was she truly a scam idiot. Es nezinu…
Sounds like a waitress issue if service was not good and tip was incorrectly forced not a scam.
Old Riga in general is a tourist trap, but it is not uncommon to have service fee for parties 6+.
It also does not say Tip, but Service.
As for waiter, it is not really seen as a profession in Latvia. Rather “no other choice” work. So do not expect it to be professional. They change like socks. Specially young ones.
I suggest you contact the restaurant and explain this situation. Likely they will not give a refund, but from the order it is clear that you were not 8 people (amount of drinks/food), however the service charge was included.
Maybe it was the new waitress and needs some training or paddling.
I would leave 1-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor and write a complaint to https://www.ptac.gov.lv/en. It won’t do much, but it’s at least something.
Also I’d make a mental note to check the bill before paying more carefully in the future.