An increasing number of restaurants in Majorca are refusing to let customers split the bill as it creates extra work for waiters. The Balearic Island is already grappling with staff shortages in the hospitality industry, and so divvying up bills just puts further pressure on the already strained workforce. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, said splitting the bill takes too much time and can be miscalculated.
He said: “There is one bill per table and it is up to the customers how they deal with the payment. Some don’t want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their own dish. This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time consuming and even more so if the bill doesn’t add up.”
This is not just an issue in Majorca, with Zaragoza, Málaga, and parts of Barcelona laying down a “one table, one bill” rule.
While some completely refuse to let people pay their share, others charge a fee between €1 and €2 for every card used.
Ferrer added that paying in cash makes it easier, but only 30% to 40% of customers do that these days. He said: “We understand that customers want to divide the bill, but there are much easier and more convenient methods.”
Splitting the bill adds to the workload of waiters already under pressure due to a lack of staff, which is a particularly significant issue in tourist areas.
Resorts that only see an influx of visitors for a few months of the year have the most difficulty hiring workers, leaving restaurants understaffed when the peak summer season arrives.
Ferrer explained that staffing issues have impacted virtually all of Majorca’s industries, despite workers being paid what he argues is a decent wage.
He said: “We have the best hospitality agreement in Spain; the minimum net wage is €1,700 per month. Money is not an issue.”
