The 6% VAT is hidden in the bill, and the diners exclaim: You also have to pay taxes for eating?
On June 26, 2024, in Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, an ordinary dinner sparked a national discussion about consumption transparency. When the food on the plate fades away, an unexpected bill makes waves between diners and restaurants.
Who should pay for the tax on food and beverage consumption? Behind this seemingly simple problem, it reflects the integrity management dilemma of the entire industry. In this era of information explosion, why can a small bill attract so much attention? Perhaps, the answer lies in the strings of tiny numbers.
As a veteran food lover, the man just came to taste the taste of the food, and when the waiter handed over the bill, the man habitually glanced at it. At this moment, his eyes were fixed on an unfamiliar project: "6% VAT". At first, he thought it was a mistake. "I asked the waiter, why is there an extra VAT?" Zhang Ming recalled, still with a little confusion in his tone.
The waiter's answer surprised the man even more: "Because our dishes are tax-free." "This explanation seems unbelievable to the man." I've never been in this situation when I've eaten at other restaurants," said the man, "shouldn't it be the restaurant that pays the taxes?" Why should customers pay extra? ”
With this doubt in mind, the man decided to share the experience on social media. He didn't expect that this seemingly ordinary encounter would attract widespread attention. In just a few days, his video has been retweeted thousands of times, and the comment section has exploded.
Some netizens expressed their understanding of the restaurant's approach and thought it was an attempt to be transparent. "At least they tell us honestly where the money is spent," commented one user who goes by the screen name "Rational Consumer." However, many people are dissatisfied with this, believing that this practice violates consumer practices. "Will we have to calculate the VAT ourselves when we go to the supermarket to buy things in the future?" A netizen asked half-jokingly.
In the face of the fermentation of public opinion, Banyan Tree Anji quickly responded. In an interview with the media, Mr. Li, the director of the restaurant's public relations department, explained: "Our original intention is to improve consumer transparency. On the menu, we clearly indicate that the price is exclusive of tax. This is done in the hope that customers will have a clearer understanding of their spending composition. ”
Mr. Li emphasized that the restaurant's approach is not original, but refers to some international practices. "In some countries, it is common for food and beverage consumption to be marked separately before tax and tax amount. We hope to learn from this practice and make consumption more transparent. However, this explanation did not completely quell the controversy. Professor Wang, an expert in tax law, pointed out: "Although the law does not explicitly prohibit merchants from doing so, this practice does go against the consumption habits of the mainland. In China, it's common practice for merchants to factor taxes into their pricing. ”
Consumer rights protection experts question it from another angle: "Even if the restaurant's intentions are good, this practice may cause unnecessary distress to consumers." Consumers are likely to be surprised at checkout by ignoring the 'exclude tax' statement in small print when they see the price of the menu. As the discussion deepened, the practices of some related industries were also compared. Some high-end hotels, for example, have adopted a similar approach, listing a separate service charge on the bill. However, unlike Banyan Tree Anji, these hotels usually display this policy in a prominent place to avoid discomfort to their guests.
This incident has also made people think about how to balance the consumer experience while pursuing transparency. An industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "Transparency is important, but how to present it in a way that is more acceptable to consumers requires wisdom and patience." As time went on, the discussion over a bill died down, but the food for thought it left is far from over. It not only involves the rights and interests of consumers, but also the integrity management and development direction of the entire industry.
Perhaps, in the future, we will see more restaurants adopt similar transparency measures, but in a more subtle and humane way. Maybe one day, when we get a bill that clearly states the expenses, we won't be surprised, but appreciate the honesty and transparency.
Source: Comprehensive Giant Current Video and reported by the media such as Boom News
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