Yesterday we received an email from a group of some guys that we helped with airport transfers and some other programs in Budapest. They were very satisfied with everything, but before the end of the email they share a story we unfortunately have heard so many times before. A very traditional bar scam story where you end up with an extremely high bill.
The guys walked in Vaci utca, the shopping street in Budapest, and as they walked there (around the Ice Bar/Burger King area), they met two girls looking very confused. They stood there with a map asking for directions, and as polite guys these men stood at their service. After describing the way the girls asked if the guys had any further plans, and then they asked if they wanted to join them for some beer somewhere nearby. They went to a bar/restaurant in a cellar nearby (they guess the address it is located somewhere between Vaci utca 11-15, but not really sure) and without looking at the menu they started to order drinks to themselves and to the girls. One drink turned into quite a lot of drinks, and then when they got the bill, a really big one. Just take a look yourself!
Above you can see what their final bill looked like. They drank a lot, but as you can see, the prices are far higher than they should be. This is of course a very traditional story that us living and working in Budapest has heard several times, but we just post this story as a warning to those who have not yet been in Budapest. Avoid night clubs and bars if you are not sure about their reputation and do not go out to have drinks with “innocent” girls or ladies asking for directions, asking for the way or starting flirting with you on the street. It might seem charming, and you might feel young and attractive again, but what attracts them to you is not really your look, but your wallet and your VISA card!
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