I posted this on the other thread...and think it is important enough to repost on this thread for those that missed it>
YOU AND YOUR MONEY
Ladies and gentleman in the words of Max Bygraves " I wanna tell you a story"
For those of you that haven't read the "Enjoy your Napoli Trip" thread" where I have posted extensive information I want to give you 1 last peice of advice concerning money.
The biggest single complaint I expect from City fans upon their return from this away day, is not "I was stabbed in the arse" but instead "What a fucking ripoff"
Restaurants are not a problem. You will be presented with a menu and you can scrutinise the bill at the end to check that you have only been charged for what you have had. If you don't like the prices don't eat there. What will you find on your restaurant bill?
For a start it is normal to find an item called coperta this is a cover charge and is usually 1.50 euros per seat. If they add 10% service charge then you simply don't tip. So no problems with restaurants hey!!!
Your problems start with bars and caffe's where it is usual to see no tariffs displayed. A friendly waiter will supply all your needs...you sit down and you are served. You don't pay as you drink, instead you are presented with a bill when you are ready to leave.
Let me give you a for instance. Caffe Gambrinus is a must visit caffe on the corner of Piazza Del Plebiscito. An awesome place inside and a great place to people watch. I walk in and go straight to the cashier and say "due caffe" (2 coffees). She rings the till and I pay 1.80 euros and get a ticket. I walk to the bar present my ticket perhaps placing 20 cents on top of the ticket as a tip.
I enjoy my coffee and observe the banter...highly entertaining stuff.
The next day I go to the same caffe but this time I sit outside or take a seat in the gorgeous sit down area and I am served by a waitress. " Due caffe" I say. The coffee is the same gorgeous stuff. I ask for the bill and along it comes...a whopping 13 euros.
Now I have made a warning to you in the main thread about the 3 tier pricing in Napoli. Neapolitans pay the right price...Italian tourists pay more...and foreign tourists even more. Trip advisor is full of complaints about rip offs. 1 English tourist observes " We had 2 coffees and 2 grappas in Gambrinus and we paid 50 euros, but it was worth it for the experience"....Is this guy sane?????
Now I'm going to give you the story of an Italian tourist from Florence who recounts his story at Caffe Del Professore" which is next door to Gambrinus. This is an actual account from from Tripadvisor and the translation is below.
il bar in questione si trova nel centro di Napoli; ho avuto l'occasione di provare il locale in questione proprio per uno spuntino veloce, risultato:
3 panini (che definire panini è un complimento, visto la misera farcitura e qualità)
3 bibite (fanta, coca, ecc)
2 caffè
1 sfogliatina/dolcetto
=
48,80 EURO
...ASSURDO, vista la qualità del cibo..se non una truffa... vista l'assenza di prezzo in quasi tutte le voci del menu..la presentazione del cibo lasciava molto a desiderare e anche la zona,che nonostante si tratti del centro di Napoli, è piuttosto frequentata da personaggi poco simpatici...
SCONSIGLIATO
voto: 2/10
Visited August 2011
The bar in question is located in the center of Naples, I had the chance to try the restaurant in question just for a quick snack, the result:
3 sandwiches (which is a compliment to define rolls, stuffing and saw the poor quality)
3 drinks (fanta, coke, etc.)
2 cups coffee
1 puff pastry / candy
=
48.80 EURO
ABSURD ..., given the quality of food .. if not a scam ... in the absence of price in almost all the menu items .. the presentation of the food left much to be desired and also the area, which despite being the center of Naples, is quite popular with the characters very likeable ...
RECOMMENDED
Rating: 2 / 10
Now listen carefully boys...if you are going on the piss and there is a group of you, you can negotiate with the waiters. Ask him straight how much for a birra grande , if too expensive move onto the next bar... If you don't all we're gonna here on this site is how much you've all been ripped. THERE IS NO SHAME IN ASKING WHAT SOMETHING COSTS
YOU AND YOUR MONEY
Ladies and gentleman in the words of Max Bygraves " I wanna tell you a story"
For those of you that haven't read the "Enjoy your Napoli Trip" thread" where I have posted extensive information I want to give you 1 last peice of advice concerning money.
The biggest single complaint I expect from City fans upon their return from this away day, is not "I was stabbed in the arse" but instead "What a fucking ripoff"
Restaurants are not a problem. You will be presented with a menu and you can scrutinise the bill at the end to check that you have only been charged for what you have had. If you don't like the prices don't eat there. What will you find on your restaurant bill?
For a start it is normal to find an item called coperta this is a cover charge and is usually 1.50 euros per seat. If they add 10% service charge then you simply don't tip. So no problems with restaurants hey!!!
Your problems start with bars and caffe's where it is usual to see no tariffs displayed. A friendly waiter will supply all your needs...you sit down and you are served. You don't pay as you drink, instead you are presented with a bill when you are ready to leave.
Let me give you a for instance. Caffe Gambrinus is a must visit caffe on the corner of Piazza Del Plebiscito. An awesome place inside and a great place to people watch. I walk in and go straight to the cashier and say "due caffe" (2 coffees). She rings the till and I pay 1.80 euros and get a ticket. I walk to the bar present my ticket perhaps placing 20 cents on top of the ticket as a tip.
I enjoy my coffee and observe the banter...highly entertaining stuff.
The next day I go to the same caffe but this time I sit outside or take a seat in the gorgeous sit down area and I am served by a waitress. " Due caffe" I say. The coffee is the same gorgeous stuff. I ask for the bill and along it comes...a whopping 13 euros.
Now I have made a warning to you in the main thread about the 3 tier pricing in Napoli. Neapolitans pay the right price...Italian tourists pay more...and foreign tourists even more. Trip advisor is full of complaints about rip offs. 1 English tourist observes " We had 2 coffees and 2 grappas in Gambrinus and we paid 50 euros, but it was worth it for the experience"....Is this guy sane?????
Now I'm going to give you the story of an Italian tourist from Florence who recounts his story at Caffe Del Professore" which is next door to Gambrinus. This is an actual account from from Tripadvisor and the translation is below.
il bar in questione si trova nel centro di Napoli; ho avuto l'occasione di provare il locale in questione proprio per uno spuntino veloce, risultato:
3 panini (che definire panini è un complimento, visto la misera farcitura e qualità)
3 bibite (fanta, coca, ecc)
2 caffè
1 sfogliatina/dolcetto
=
48,80 EURO
...ASSURDO, vista la qualità del cibo..se non una truffa... vista l'assenza di prezzo in quasi tutte le voci del menu..la presentazione del cibo lasciava molto a desiderare e anche la zona,che nonostante si tratti del centro di Napoli, è piuttosto frequentata da personaggi poco simpatici...
SCONSIGLIATO
voto: 2/10
Visited August 2011
The bar in question is located in the center of Naples, I had the chance to try the restaurant in question just for a quick snack, the result:
3 sandwiches (which is a compliment to define rolls, stuffing and saw the poor quality)
3 drinks (fanta, coke, etc.)
2 cups coffee
1 puff pastry / candy
=
48.80 EURO
ABSURD ..., given the quality of food .. if not a scam ... in the absence of price in almost all the menu items .. the presentation of the food left much to be desired and also the area, which despite being the center of Naples, is quite popular with the characters very likeable ...
RECOMMENDED
Rating: 2 / 10
Now listen carefully boys...if you are going on the piss and there is a group of you, you can negotiate with the waiters. Ask him straight how much for a birra grande , if too expensive move onto the next bar... If you don't all we're gonna here on this site is how much you've all been ripped. THERE IS NO SHAME IN ASKING WHAT SOMETHING COSTS