Episode 512: Coperto

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[00:00:46] [SPEAKER_02]: So this episode was inspired by a co-worker's trip.

[00:00:55] [SPEAKER_02]: He went to... exactly about his experience at a restaurant and he went to...

[00:01:09] [SPEAKER_02]: Well, let me just start over.

[00:01:11] [SPEAKER_02]: My co-worker was on a vacation and was telling me about some extra charges that were on his restaurant bill,

[00:01:27] [SPEAKER_02]: which he's never heard of before.

[00:01:29] [SPEAKER_02]: And I thought it would be interesting enough to make an episode because it wasn't gratuity.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_02]: So if you're planning a trip to Italy, specifically Milan where he went, or Venice,

[00:01:44] [SPEAKER_02]: then you should probably know about an extra charge that may appear on your restaurant bill called Coperto.

[00:01:52] [SPEAKER_02]: Welcome to Dreas Point of View.

[00:01:54] [SPEAKER_02]: I am your hostess Drea.

[00:01:56] [SPEAKER_02]: In 10 minutes or less, I will love to tell you about a topic that I feel passionate about.

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[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_02]: You can also follow the show at Dreas Point on X and Spill.

[00:02:16] [SPEAKER_02]: So I had to research what Coperto was and it's definitely not the gratuity.

[00:02:27] [SPEAKER_02]: Apparently, he said that he ate near...

[00:02:31] [SPEAKER_02]: It was in a touristy area and he was there with a friend.

[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_02]: He paid, so that's why he really paid attention to the bill.

[00:02:39] [SPEAKER_02]: But before they brought out the check, they gave him an itemized receipt that he looked over and asked,

[00:02:46] [SPEAKER_02]: you know, what's this? What's that?

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_02]: And he saw a charge he wasn't familiar with because he didn't order bread.

[00:02:52] [SPEAKER_02]: So what does that charge?

[00:02:53] [SPEAKER_02]: He asked the server what it was and she picked up the utensils.

[00:02:58] [SPEAKER_02]: So I asked him, I said, did you get to keep those utensils since you were charged for them?

[00:03:04] [SPEAKER_02]: And he did not.

[00:03:07] [SPEAKER_02]: So I definitely had to do my research on that.

[00:03:11] [SPEAKER_02]: So Coperto is...

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_02]: Well, first off, it means covered.

[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_02]: It covers everything that a customer needs with their meal.

[00:03:21] [SPEAKER_02]: It's legit.

[00:03:23] [SPEAKER_02]: It is illegal in Rome, so if that's where you're headed then you don't have to worry about it.

[00:03:28] [SPEAKER_02]: But it has to be somewhere on the menu, either at the bottom or somewhere in the back and small print.

[00:03:38] [SPEAKER_02]: Now, you know people get in trouble by not reading that fine print,

[00:03:40] [SPEAKER_02]: so make sure you read it if you're going out in Milan or Venice.

[00:03:43] [SPEAKER_02]: If you don't see it on the menu, then you can ask to have that charge removed.

[00:03:50] [SPEAKER_02]: So that's good to know.

[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_02]: It's a fixed price and it's up to 10% of the meal.

[00:03:56] [SPEAKER_02]: So it's not a noticeable difference, but I mean a charge is a charge when you're...

[00:04:00] [SPEAKER_02]: Especially when you're paying for it.

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_02]: And this covers silverware, plates, the napkins, you know, the cloth napkins,

[00:04:10] [SPEAKER_02]: and tablecloth that is cleaned in between the services.

[00:04:13] [SPEAKER_02]: So you're paying for all of that.

[00:04:15] [SPEAKER_02]: Water, you didn't get water, but it's not usually free either, unlike in most places.

[00:04:21] [SPEAKER_02]: So, you know, we're blessed over here.

[00:04:23] [SPEAKER_02]: We don't have to worry about...

[00:04:25] [SPEAKER_02]: I guess some places do charge for water,

[00:04:27] [SPEAKER_02]: but for the most part we get water brought to us and we get bread.

[00:04:33] [SPEAKER_02]: Now if they bring you bread,

[00:04:37] [SPEAKER_02]: if you get bread, you can ask if there's an extra charge for it.

[00:04:42] [SPEAKER_02]: If there is a large party, then there would be a service charge or a servizio,

[00:04:48] [SPEAKER_02]: which is mandatory and that's pretty universal.

[00:04:50] [SPEAKER_02]: That makes sense.

[00:04:52] [SPEAKER_02]: So considering that there is no tipping in Italy,

[00:04:57] [SPEAKER_02]: it shouldn't really set you back much,

[00:04:59] [SPEAKER_02]: but just know to look for it on the menu

[00:05:04] [SPEAKER_02]: and expect it on your bill.

[00:05:08] [SPEAKER_02]: Pretty interesting, I thought.

[00:05:13] So...

[00:05:14] [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so what do you think about that, Caperto?

[00:05:17] [SPEAKER_02]: I would love to know your opinion about it at Drea's Point of View at yahoo.com.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_02]: I also have some positive news for you, for the women anyway.

[00:05:33] [SPEAKER_02]: And this is about an airline in India that allows women to avoid sitting next to men.

[00:05:46] [SPEAKER_02]: It's their budget airline Indigo that has a...

[00:05:51] [SPEAKER_02]: It's a trial period.

[00:05:53] [SPEAKER_02]: They have a feature that will allow women to avoid booking a seat that's next to men.

[00:06:00] [SPEAKER_02]: Now, when you are online, you'll see the pink seat at the selection.

[00:06:07] [SPEAKER_02]: That's for the female travelers.

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_02]: And yeah, it's a first of its kind for any airline.

[00:06:15] [SPEAKER_02]: The travelers must identify their genders when they buy their tickets

[00:06:19] [SPEAKER_02]: and it will allow the airline to control access to those details.

[00:06:23] [SPEAKER_02]: It began the service in May and is available in all flights.

[00:06:30] [SPEAKER_02]: So far, it's received positive individual reactions on social media according to Indigo CEO.

[00:06:39] [SPEAKER_02]: Should all airlines adapt this feature?

[00:06:42] [SPEAKER_02]: You know, I have to be honest with you, I don't mind so much sitting next to men.

[00:06:48] [SPEAKER_02]: It's really kids and animals.

[00:06:51] [SPEAKER_02]: If I can avoid those two things when I buy my ticket, I'm all for it.

[00:06:57] [SPEAKER_02]: Make sure you subscribe to my show as well as my free weekly newsletter at draisfpointofview.substack.com.

[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_02]: And as always, I thank you for listening.

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_02]: This has been Draia's Point of View.