A cafe in the Spittal an der Drau district has implemented a mandatory 5 percent tip surcharge for all card payments. A sign at the entrance informs guests of the fee, which the operator explains applies exclusively to table service rather than counter sales.
The operator justifies the measure by noting that service staff rely on tips, which guests often forget to add when paying by card. The current payment terminal lacks a voluntary tipping feature, leading to the fixed charge to ensure staff are compensated.
The policy has sparked significant debate among guests and on social media. However, the operator noted that younger customers are increasingly rounding up their totals manually, suggesting the surcharge could be abolished if voluntary tipping trends continue.