Waiting staff

The government's announcement of a "compassionate" tax break of up to 300 euros a month on tips earned via card payments was not met without complaints, as groups of workers doing equally hard and poorly paid jobs as waitstaff and delivery drivers also want to be included.

Even if a Greek is just having a quick coffee, they'll usually leave a few coins next to the cup. Especially if it's a regular spot where they know the server by name, they'd feel uncomfortable leaving without tipping. Until recently, most customer tips - usually in cash - would be pooled together and shared among the servers at the end of the shift.

In Bulgarian restaurants, it is now mandatory for waiters to open bottles of soft drinks, beer, and wine in front of customers. This regulation, detailed in the guidelines for categorizing establishments, applies to all tourist venues, regardless of type or category. Gabriela Rumenova, the creator of the online platform "We, the Users," explained this requirement to "Focus."

Usain Bolt's sprint world records were never in danger. Then again, even the world's fastest-ever human likely wouldn't have been so quick while balancing a tray with a croissant, a coffee cup and a glass of water through the streets of Paris, and without spilling it everywhere.

Employers in Bulgaria, who hired Ukrainian refugees, are facing a new big problem. Surprisingly, some companies have been notified that from July 1 they will no longer receive financial assistance from the state for the employed Ukrainian citizens. The money for hired foreign employees is stopped. What will happen to working Ukrainian refugees?

Not many cafes and restaurants opened in Greece today. Their owners are participating in a national protest against the measures that restrict the customers of the restaurants.

In reality, only the vaccinated can visit restaurants, the waiters comment. It is very rare for unvaccinated people to take an antigen test to go to a restaurant.

The food and beverage sector, leading the service industry in Turkey with 2 million workers, has been knocked down as the restaurants and the cafes have been closed indefinitely due to the latest coronavirus measures.

Most restaurants have turned to takeouts, and loads of service workers have been dismissed, according to experts.

It is believed that the tips were created in England in the 16th century when the guests left money for the staff of their hospitable hosts.

Amid a controversy about whether holders of private concessions to public beaches in Croatia have a legal right to limit people's access to them, some private concessioners have told BIRN that they are only trying to prevent tourists from holding barbeques and moving the rented easy chairs.

The group was large and lively. They had booked a private table in a room reserved for elite customers. The wine flowed, the plates of mezedes went back and forth. At the request of the merry customers, the radio had been tuned to a Greek folk station. "You're the best, to your health!" they cried. By the eighth carafe of wine, the bill was requested. It had reached 500 euros.