As the mother of one of the tourists recounted, her son and three friends were vacationing on the Croatian island of Krk. One evening, they went to a popular restaurant with a large flow of visitors. After waiting for 10–15 minutes, they managed to get a table. When the waiter took their order, each of the four guests requested a serving of pancakes costing 7 euros each. It was after this, the publication reports, that the situation changed dramatically. The waiter was outraged that during dinner the guests were only ordering dessert. He noticed people waiting for a table outside and then asked the young men to vacate the spot. The story went viral on Hungarian social media and caused a real international scandal, albeit an unofficial one. Many Hungarians condemned the behavior of the restaurant staff, emphasizing that the guests were willing to pay for their order. "Unfortunately, among Croatians, it is increasingly noticeable that they see tourists only as a wallet. This is not an isolated case: from Venice to Zadar, service providers in many places have lost their way," noted one outraged Hungarian. At the same time, some participants in the discussion sided with the restaurant. They reminded others of the unwritten rules of operation for establishments during peak guest hours. One commenter explained that a four-person table in the evening can potentially bring the restaurant much more revenue than an order of four servings of dessert. "Unwritten rule: in the evening, during peak hours, people prefer to dine in an elegant, full restaurant. A table for four can bring in 120–150 euros, while dessert pancakes for 28 euros simply take up space while others wait outside. It’s not about being shocking; it’s about learning the etiquette of hospitality," wrote one experienced traveler. As noted by Blikk, some participants in the discussion emphasized that such an unwritten rule also applies in many popular establishments in Hungary itself. Although the waiter should have behaved more respectfully towards the guests, commentators acknowledge. At the same time, the publication pointed out that Hungarians have been expressing many complaints about Croatian hospitality in recent years. On forums and review sites, there are increasing complaints about high prices in popular Adriatic cities. This particularly concerns expensive seafood and instances where the quality of food does not meet tourists' expectations. After the outcry, journalists sought a comment from the Croatian Tourist Board in Hungary. A representative of the organization, Mira Gorvat, clarified that there is no general rule in Croatia establishing a mandatory minimum order amount for each visitor. "Sales conditions and prices must be clearly stated, and establishments are obliged to comply with them," she added. The representative also stated that they regret the situation with the Hungarian tourists and consider it an isolated case. At the same time, guests have the right to file a complaint both directly with the management of the establishment and with the state regulatory authorities in Croatia, the UNIAN news agency reports.
