In the midst of the debate about the obligation and amounts of tips, an act of extreme generosity by a wealthy diner stands out as a contrast in the midst of the controversy.
The client in question turns out to be a millionaire Arab sheikh, a person for whom, predictably, the price of things, or the menu of the restaurants where he decides to dine, may never be a concern but still says a lot.
The scene took place at the Miky restaurant in the Cinque Terre, a highly touristic seaside town in Liguria, northern Italy, known for its beautiful beaches in the middle of a picturesque natural gulf. During his vacation in this town, a mysterious client, apparently a famous Arab sheikh and owner of a luxurious 150-meter yacht with which he had arrived at the place, enjoyed an exquisite dinner at the Miky restaurant. As a gesture of appreciation for the culinary experience and service, he decided to generously reward the establishment’s staff.
It is evident that this grateful diner does not usually carry cash in his pocket. To make this remarkable tip, he used an app called TackPay, specifically designed to make it easy to tip digitally when making credit card payments. This innovative tool makes it possible to leave more significant sums than traditional loose change, as well as simplifying the process of offering tips when cash is not available.
According to the newspaper La Repubblica, TackPay is the brainchild of Italian Matteo Tranchida and his team, a startup that claims its app is revolutionizing the hospitality industry by addressing a need that both customers and establishments have been demanding for a long time.
Ruggero Ungaro, owner of the restaurant, told La Repubblica that the application has transformed the experience at his establishment. He says it “not only improves the quality of our service, but also demonstrates how technology can be a valuable ally in ensuring our staff awards are timely and meaningful.”
Thanks to this innovative application, the sheikh was able to directly and automatically transfer the 1,800 euros that he considered appropriate as a digital tip. This option, integrated into the credit card payment process, avoids the awkward situations of dealing with cash.
This is a discreet and efficient approach, especially for those who can leave such a hefty sum solely as a tip. Using apps like TackPay demonstrates how technology can enhance the experience in the hospitality industry and also encourage generosity among customers.
