A man who asked for a sprinkle of pepper on his pizza was shocked to find he had been charged extra for it and later sparked outrage online by posting a photo of the receipt.
The incident took place in Bari, Italy, and the receipt was shared publicly on Thursday, 7th August.
The customer, who is reportedly a local resident, had been dining at a city centre pizzeria where he ordered two pizzas, a bottle of water, a beer, and paid a standard cover charge.
Illustrative photo shows Bari, Italy, undated. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
But among the listed items was a EUR 0.5 (GBP 0.42) surcharge marked as "+pepper" - prompting an online backlash over what many labelled a "crazy" summer receipt.
A photo of the bill shows a total of EUR 38.50 (GBP 33), including the EUR 0.50 (GBP 0.42) added solely for the pepper.
While some defended the extra charge as fair for an added ingredient, many others criticised the practice, citing growing frustration at price increases during the holiday season in tourist hotspots.
The controversy comes weeks after a fancy coffee shop in Oderzo, in northern Italy, charged a customer for cutting her croissant in half.
The furious woman, who was not named, had bought two coffees and a pastry for breakfast to share with her mum at the Audrey Patisserie on 27th July.
Picture shows the bill, undated. A customer was charged for adding pepper to the pizza in Bari, Italy. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
She only noticed the extra 10 cents charge for asking staff to split the croissant in half when she got home and looked at the bill.
Within hours the post spread like wildfire triggering an avalanche of criticism from social media users.
One user called 'gimmy' wrote: "You have to hate your customers to charge them EUR 0.10 to cut a croissant in half. A total lack of elegance, refinement, and empathy.
"They should bring hotel management students to your restaurant to show them how not to treat your customers. Pathetic."
And 'Folletto Vola' said: "EUR 0.10 what a disgrace... just to cut a croissant!!!"
Owner Massimiliano Viotto claimed that the extra money was to cover the use of an extra plate and napkin and for the "skill" needed to cut a pastry in half.
He said: "It's not a scam. It is a conscious choice that we defend with pride."
(Mike Leidig / newsX)