Some Belarusian cafes and restaurants require visitors to pay a separate fee for entry, and sometimes even for booking a table. However, as explained to "Minskaya Prauda" by lawyer Darya Khatkevich from the Minsk City Bar Association, such requirements do not always comply with the law.
A Belarusian woman contacted the editorial office, saying that in one cafe, she and her children were charged an entrance fee. According to her, the receipt showed a separate line: "Entry - 10 rubles."
The lawyer explained that the activities of cafes, bars, and restaurants in Belarus are based on a public agreement. This means that if an establishment has the capacity to serve a visitor, it does not have the right to refuse service. Conditions and prices must be the same for all consumers, except for legally stipulated benefits for certain categories.
Therefore, demanding payment for the mere fact of entering a cafe as a condition for the visitor to receive catering services violates the principles of a public agreement and consumer rights protection legislation.
In addition, in Belarus, it is prohibited to condition the purchase of one service on the mandatory purchase of other goods or services. The performer also has no right to provide additional paid services without the consumer's consent. If such a service has already been paid for, the consumer can demand a refund.
Therefore, without the client's prior consent, separate demands for payment for "entry," "service," "table," or a service charge may be illegal. The visitor must pay for the dishes and drinks ordered by them.
However, an entry fee can be legal if a person pays not for the opportunity to eat at the establishment, but for participation in a specific event. For example, an admission ticket may be sold for a concert, show program, or performance.
Separately, the lawyer spoke about minimum orders and deposits when booking a table. The requirement to "eat" a certain amount may restrict the consumer's right to free choice of services.
A deposit when booking is possible if the client voluntarily agreed to it and this amount is subsequently credited towards the order. However, it is not permissible to charge money solely for the fact of booking a table.
As for tips, they should remain voluntary. They cannot be included in the bill without the client's consent.
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Comments
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А мо тут як у анекдоце: а гэта што ў вас тут у чэку асобным радком пазначана: «Праканала — 10 рублёў»? А, прабачце, Непраканала, выкрэсліваем.
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