"NYC XYZ" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Say, what's this crazy fee for sharing that, apparently, some
> restaurants charge??
>
> There is this spanish restaurant that charged me some kind of penalty
> fee for sharing a pot of seafood paella (or whatever the hell it's
> called) with my date who doesn't eat much. The pot of boiled rice and
> seafood bits (big deal!), a salad, and two soups was like $30 already,
> and the manager charged me like another $6 for sharing! WTF is up with
> this??? Is this a very common practice in hoity places?? el senor
> claims it's for having to wash the "extra" dishes and ultensils...?how
> do you say WTF in espagnol? I dine rather widely and have never heard
> of this BS.

I don't understand why you're so upset about this. I don't eat out all that
often but I know that sharing charges aren't that uncommon. I've seen them
listed on menus many times.

From now on, check the menu carefully. If there is a charge for sharing, it
should be listed, typically at the bottom of the menu in the same place
where a restaurant might point out that a gratuity will be added to the bill
for parties of more than a certain number of people. If a sharing charge is
listed and it offends you that much, then leave without ordering. (After
paying for drinks or whatever that you've already received, of course.)

If the menu doesn't list a sharing charge then let the waiter know when you
order that you intend to share. If the waiter tells you then there's a
charge, politely state that under that circumstance you'll be leaving, and
go. (Again of course after paying for anything you ordered and received.)

If you're not informed either in writing or by the waiter that there's a
charge for sharing, then I think you have a legitimate complaint that you
should bring up with the restaurant's manager. Otherwise I don't see that
you have cause for complaint.

Anny