Over the weekend, I shared about my dinner at Café Imperial in Prague, a historic hotel restaurant that dates back to 1914 and was a favorite of Franz Kafka. But it now seems I may have been cheated concerning a service fee.

Tipping Scam? Service Fee At Café Imperial In Prague

Recently, I wrote about an exposé in which French restaurants were found to be charging American tourists more than Europeans for substantially similar products, like bread and water.

> Read More: Are Paris Restaurants Ripping Off Americans? Here’s What To Know

It appears I may have fallen prey to a different sort of scam, where a 10% service fee was automatically added to my bill as if it were mandatory.

I dislike the tipping culture in general, and I especially dislike seeing it taking hold in Europe. While I’m okay with rounding up my bill, I’m not in the business of tipping in Europe like I do in the USA because that is not the business model, and workers are paid a living wage with health benefits and vacation. Tipping should not be part of the calculation: everyone should be provided a high level of service because that is your job as a waiter or waitress.

Here’s my receipt:

But the restaurant website states that “we charge 10% service charge to all reservations of 9 guests and more” and I was dining solo.

It appears, however, that this is a longstanding problem at this restaurant. For example, here’s a TripAdvisor review from 2011:

When the bill arrived we only scanned it but noted particularly that it said in large letters that no service charge was included and we therefore left a 10% tip. It was only later that I looked at it more closely and noticed that they had already added 10% for service. As we were staying very close by we went back the next day to query this and they apologised and refunded 10% but could not explain why this had happened.

I’m speculating here, but I bet this service charge is inserted on the bills of many foreign guests. Many Americans would probably look at the automatic 10% and be relieved they did not have to tip 15-20%. Others might think this is like a mandatory cover charge.

But it’s bad business…you either charge the service fee to everyone or no one…charging it to visitors strikes me as highly unethical.

The idea that this was “accidentally” added to my bills strikes me as implausible.

I had a really nice dinner here…the food was delicious and the Art Deco-style dining room was a beautiful place to dine. But be on the lookout for service fees that are slipped in contrary to the restaurant’s published policy…