A photo of the receipt has been circulating on social media for the past few days, with comments ranging from spartan to…bitter. An Italian restaurateur in Naples charges a customer for gas and electricity. Margherita pizza, wine and energy to share the cost with the client. What, will he take it upon himself?

Difficult things in a nutshell, but winter has not yet come, winter is coming. I don’t know if this sounds funny, but it may not be a fantasy scenario, we can see it in our area, the bill that says electricity: 0.50!

My vacation, however, was a revelation, a sort of trailer for what was to come. There wasn’t a single restaurant, tavern, ouzo, bar or cafe where we didn’t comment on the “bitten” bill at the end. We read it two or three times looking for the wrong charge, double plate, still something is wrong. We couldn’t believe what we saw, but on the other hand, there was nothing wrong with that either. Only tariffs are 30-40% more expensive than last summer, the increase is due solely to the energy crisis.

Do a little gallop. Ask friends and acquaintances what they think about food prices during summer trips. I don’t think you will find a person who has not had a negative experience, who has not fallen for his bait … a heavy and indigestible account.

I can’t imagine a good price rally going forward as the energy crisis continues and we head into autumn and winter. We may not have the Italian “sass” or imagination to charge for electricity, but the prices will certainly remain high and prohibitive for many.

As businesses in the area grapple with rising costs, due in part to daily price hikes from suppliers, consumers are cutting back on their dining out budget. Unfortunately, going to a restaurant is one of the first things to cross off the list.