Don't forget to tip:

Oh dear.

I’ve just had coffee in Centotre, my favourite of favourite places to eat and drink in Edinburgh.

I stop by there most mornings as I walk to work, for a double shot latte or americano.

I must have done this about 50 times or more, this year alone.

When I’ve had my coffee, and I’m ready to get on with my day, I just leave £3 on the table, not waiting for the bill, and wend my merry, fortified way, through the Georgian splendour that is Edinburgh’s New Town.

For some reason today, (I think because I didn’t have £3 in change on me), I asked for the tab and was embarassingly shocked to see that a double latte is £3.50!

And has been for some time*

So instead of me being Mr Generous as I thought, and leaving a 50 pence tip every time I have my coffee there, I’ve actually been short changing them.

Not only paying below the full amount, but also NOT paying a tip.

Doh!

* I don’t begrudge paying this at all. The caffe is outstandingly good, served by possibly the most wonderful waitresses in Edinburgh, and certainly the most professional.

5 times better than Starbuck’s coffee, and enjoyed in a 10x better environment.

Anyway, I’m worth it.

Centotre is worth it.

My only worry now is that I owe Victor and Carina, the proprietors, a substantial amount of money for all the underpayments I’ve made. (So sweet is everyone there, not once has anybody challenged my stinginess.)

But owing Italians money isn’t a particularly good idea is it?