Man orders iced coffee in Spain and the bill leaves him gobsmacked
There is nothing like a good cup of coffee whether you need a boost of energy, are catching up with friends, or enjoy a cup for comfort. After water, it's the second most consumed drink in the world, and according to some scientific studies, moderate consumption could have beneficial effects on our health. And now, especially in summer, many people like to have theirs iced.
Iced coffee is one of the favourite drinks of millions of Spaniards in summer. In recent months, however, there's been some controversy as some places appear to have started charging extra for ice. Iced coffees do sometimes come at a different cost to traditional coffee, but one man wasn't pleased about being charged extra for ice.
The Threads user @juan_sjs indignantly posted a photo of a coffee shop (Cafe Mepiachi) receipt in Gijon, Asturias, And after seeing it, he was gobsmacked at realising there was a supplement of 80 cents for ice.
The annoyed customer said: "Can someone explain to me if I need to get used to paying for ice separately from the coffee? The nearly 8 euros for 3 coffees is beside the point."
On the bill, he was charged €5.30 for two Cafe con Leche, €2.45 for one normal coffee, and €0.80 for ice supplement.
"Why should they give you the ice for free?" asked one user. Many have since defended the coffee shop, while just as many have sided with the customer.
One other wrote: "You can say what you like, but I don't see anything wrong with it; coffee and ice are two different items, the owner of the establishment has to buy both, so both are charged for.
"It's another matter if they give you ice as a courtesy when you order a soft drink that's usually served cold, for example, but if you're specifically asking for ice with a hot product then I understand them charging for it."
Another said: "They should just put on the menu: iced coffee costs this much and that would end the dilemma."
According to the menu on the website, there is a 25 cent supplement for ice, and a 20 cent supplement for milk.
One other shared their fury and added: "I think it's outrageous to charge 40 cents for ice. Madness. I wouldn't go back. The other day, my mother was charged an extra 50 cents for asking for a bit of hot water to dilute her coffee because it was too strong. I was gobsmacked."
Another critic said: "20 cents per glass with ice, which can be 1, 2, 3 or whatever the client asks for. If it has melted and the client wants more, you don't charge him.
"You pay 20 euros for a hamburger, 12 euros for a drink, but you don't want to pay 20 cents for a service that I'm giving you extra?".
Is it legal for bars to charge you for ice, water or cutlery?
The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) clarified whether it was legal for bars and cafés to charge extra for things like ice, water or cutlery in Spain. The organisation has posted an article explaining some of the most common practices that are not allowed.
One practice that is illegal is not having a physical menu or visible price list. But what about things like ice or milk for your coffee? In all these cases, it is illegal as long as it does not appear explicitly on the price list. For example, the menu should indicate the cost of a drink with or without ice if they intend to charge extra for it. In this case, Cafe Mepiachi explicitly says on its website and menu that it charges extra for ice.
Cafe Mepiachi has been approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man orders iced coffee in Spain and the bill leaves him gobsmacked
Coffee is the second most popular beverage around the world, and at this time of year many of us enjoy it iced. However, some people have noticed they are being charged extra There is nothing like a good cup of coffee whether you need a boost of energy, are catching up with friends, or enjoy a cup for comfort. After water, it's the second most consumed drink in the world, and according to some scientific studies, moderate consumption could have beneficial effects on our health. And now, especially in summer, many people like to have theirs iced. Iced coffee is one of the favourite drinks of millions of Spaniards in summer. In recent months, however, there's been some controversy as some places appear to have started charging extra for ice. Iced coffees do sometimes come at a different cost to traditional coffee, but one man wasn't pleased about being charged extra for ice. The Threads user @juan_sjs indignantly posted a photo of a coffee shop (Cafe Mepiachi) receipt in Gijon, Asturias, And after seeing it, he was gobsmacked at realising there was a supplement of 80 cents for ice. The annoyed customer said: "Can someone explain to me if I need to get used to paying for ice separately from the coffee? The nearly 8 euros for 3 coffees is beside the point." On the bill, he was charged €5.30 for two Cafe con Leche, €2.45 for one normal coffee, and €0.80 for ice supplement. "Why should they give you the ice for free?" asked one user. Many have since defended the coffee shop, while just as many have sided with the customer. One other wrote: "You can say what you like, but I don't see anything wrong with it; coffee and ice are two different items, the owner of the establishment has to buy both, so both are charged for. "It's another matter if they give you ice as a courtesy when you order a soft drink that's usually served cold, for example, but if you're specifically asking for ice with a hot product then I understand them charging for it." Another said: "They should just put on the menu: iced coffee costs this much and that would end the dilemma." According to the menu on the website, there is a 25 cent supplement for ice, and a 20 cent supplement for milk. One other shared their fury and added: "I think it's outrageous to charge 40 cents for ice. Madness. I wouldn't go back. The other day, my mother was charged an extra 50 cents for asking for a bit of hot water to dilute her coffee because it was too strong. I was gobsmacked." Another critic said: "20 cents per glass with ice, which can be 1, 2, 3 or whatever the client asks for. If it has melted and the client wants more, you don't charge him. "You pay 20 euros for a hamburger, 12 euros for a drink, but you don't want to pay 20 cents for a service that I'm giving you extra?". Is it legal for bars to charge you for ice, water or cutlery? The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) clarified whether it was legal for bars and cafés to charge extra for things like ice, water or cutlery in Spain. The organisation has posted an article explaining some of the most common practices that are not allowed. One practice that is illegal is not having a physical menu or visible price list. But what about things like ice or milk for your coffee? In all these cases, it is illegal as long as it does not appear explicitly on the price list. For example, the menu should indicate the cost of a drink with or without ice if they intend to charge extra for it. In this case, Cafe Mepiachi explicitly says on its website and menu that it charges extra for ice. Cafe Mepiachi has been approached for comment.
The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
Tourism boom barring Spaniards from their own beaches
Spaniards are increasingly being priced out of their traditional coastal holidays due to an unprecedented tourism boom driving up hotel and rental costs. Official data shows a significant decline in local tourism to Spain 's top coastal destinations last year, while foreign visitor numbers surged by nearly two million. Spain, the world's second-most visited country, expects a record 100 million foreign visitors this year, with tourism contributing over 13 per cent of its GDP. Hotel prices have risen by 23 per cent in the past three years, and beachfront rentals have climbed by over 20 per cent since mid-2023, making them largely unaffordable for locals. The Spanish government is encouraging international tourists to explore inland areas to alleviate overcrowding, while many Spaniards are now opting for cheaper inland holidays or Airbnb rentals.
The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
Spanish tourists forced to avoid their own beaches as holidaymakers flood seaside towns
Spaniards are increasingly being priced out of their own sun-drenched beaches, as an unprecedented tourism boom drives up hotel and rental costs, making coastal holidays unaffordable for many locals. Previously unreported official data, reviewed by analysis firm inAtlas, reveals a significant shift. Last year, Spain's top 25 Mediterranean and Atlantic coast destinations saw local tourism plummet by 800,000 people, while foreign visitor numbers surged by 1.94 million. This trend is set to continue as the world's second-most visited country, after France, anticipates a record 100 million foreign visitors this year. "Prices have risen outrageously. The whole Spanish coast is very expensive," said Wendy Davila, 26. She cancelled an "exorbitant" trip with her boyfriend in Cadiz on the south coast for a cheaper visit to the inland city of Burgos, famed for its Gothic cathedral and the tomb of 11th century commander El Cid. "Now you don't go on holiday wherever you want, but wherever you can," added Davila, who is nostalgic for childhood beach holidays in Alicante on the Mediterranean. With a population of 48 million - half the number of foreign visitors each year - Spain relies heavily on tourism, which contributes more than 13% of GDP. But protests are growing over housing shortages exacerbated by mass tourism - and could be exacerbated by the indignity for Spaniards being priced out of their favourite holidays. Hotel prices have risen 23% in the past three years to an average of 136 euros ($159) a night, according to data company Mabrian. Beachfront rentals have also climbed 20.3% since mid-2023, according to price monitoring firm Tecnitasa, with most of them booked out for the summer by the first quarter. "It is becoming increasingly difficult for Spanish holidaymakers to afford beachfront tourism rentals," said Tecnitasa Group President Jose Maria Basanez. Foreign tourists stayed an average of eight nights at top Spanish beaches last year, with locals only affording half that time and spending a quarter of the money, inAtlas said. In fact resort hotels are modifying down their forecasts for this summer, even despite the foreign boom, partly because places where residents tend to take their holidays expect slower sales. Spaniards also made near 400,000 fewer trips to the country's major cities in 2024 compared to the previous year, while foreign tourist visits there increased by almost 3 million. Aware of the brewing discontent and disparities, Spain's socialist government is encouraging international tourists to explore inland attractions to address overcrowding and diversify. "If we want to continue to be leaders in international tourism, we have to decentralise our destinations," Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said at the launch of a first campaign to highlight Spain's lesser-known charms in June. "We want Europeans and those from other continents to rethink their idea of the Spain they love and visit so much." Spaniards have a strong tradition of escaping for family holidays in the hot summer months, but they are turning more to Airbnb rentals than hotels, and swapping Catalonia or the Balearic Islands for lesser-known destinations in Andalucia or Castille and Leon where prices are lower and mass tourism is yet to hit. Last year, 1.7 million more Spaniards holidayed in generally more affordable inland areas, according to inAtlas. In the mountain town of El Bosque for example, 100 km from the beaches of Cadiz on the Atlantic, the number of Spanish tourists increased by 22% last year. "There may be a certain displacement effect," said Juan Pedro Aznar, professor and researcher at the Madrid-based Esade business school, noting Spaniards' lower purchasing power compared to British and German tourists. For some Spaniards, it is best to avoid the summer crowds altogether. Nurse Maria de la Jara will stay in Madrid this summer, only going south to visit family in Cadiz once the busy season is over. "I used to go to my family's house, but there are more and more foreign tourists in Cadiz and when a cruise ship arrives, the population doubles," said the 51-year-old. "It's overwhelming."
