Cheapest restaurant patron I've witnessed
#32
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 77
When I was still in Uni, I went on a trip to the USA with my best friend to visit our friends still at college.
Since we were all pretty poor students, my best friend ordered a burger at a diner and then asked for it WITHOUT any of the salad, thinking it was going to make it cheaper. He then asked the rest of us with our normal burgers if he could get some lettuce, tomato etc off us so he could put it on his.
He ended up being charged the normal amount for his burger too
Since we were all pretty poor students, my best friend ordered a burger at a diner and then asked for it WITHOUT any of the salad, thinking it was going to make it cheaper. He then asked the rest of us with our normal burgers if he could get some lettuce, tomato etc off us so he could put it on his.
He ended up being charged the normal amount for his burger too
#33
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,610
I've found that more and more top restaurants either provide several a la carte bread options on the menu (but no free bread basket) or -- if it's a set menu may not have any bread service. But if you're dropping three figures on a meal before wine, I'm sure the restaurant is going to look the other way if a patron is tacky enough to put a few pieces of bread in his or her bag.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,658
I have a relative that walks into places that have self serve drinks, ice cream etc, fills up a cup he brought from home and walks back out without buying anything.
He also will meet people for dinner and then only order water but constantly ask for more of the free bread/chips & salsa/etc that came with the meal someone else ordered.
He also will meet people for dinner and then only order water but constantly ask for more of the free bread/chips & salsa/etc that came with the meal someone else ordered.
#35
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
I have a relative that walks into places that have self serve drinks, ice cream etc, fills up a cup he brought from home and walks back out without buying anything.
He also will meet people for dinner and then only order water but constantly ask for more of the free bread/chips & salsa/etc that came with the meal someone else ordered.
He also will meet people for dinner and then only order water but constantly ask for more of the free bread/chips & salsa/etc that came with the meal someone else ordered.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,805
chgoeditor, i mean for example enforcement of published requirement for entire table to order prixe fixe / degustation / tasting / etc
and occupying seats (for how long?) when not spending any money ($0)
and occupying seats (for how long?) when not spending any money ($0)
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,184
I'm not sure if the guy was cheap ... or not all there (he was kinda dippy)
Years ago, a penpal from Iceland was stopping in NYC as part of an American trip. At the time I lived in the suburbs, so we agreed to meet for lunch in the city. He was nice enough; however, unknown to me, he decided to kill two birds with one stone by having another American friend join us. That guy ordered a bowl of soup for lunch, which arrived at least 90% on the way to overflowing. Said fellow made a scene about the bowl not being full. I cannot recall how the server resolved his complaint, but have a strong recollection that to add more, one would need to do so by the tablespoon pretty much.
Years ago, a penpal from Iceland was stopping in NYC as part of an American trip. At the time I lived in the suburbs, so we agreed to meet for lunch in the city. He was nice enough; however, unknown to me, he decided to kill two birds with one stone by having another American friend join us. That guy ordered a bowl of soup for lunch, which arrived at least 90% on the way to overflowing. Said fellow made a scene about the bowl not being full. I cannot recall how the server resolved his complaint, but have a strong recollection that to add more, one would need to do so by the tablespoon pretty much.
#38
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
That guy ordered a bowl of soup for lunch, which arrived at least 90% on the way to overflowing. Said fellow made a scene about the bowl not being full. I cannot recall how the server resolved his complaint, but have a strong recollection that to add more, one would need to do so by the tablespoon pretty much.
#39
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Surprised that no one has mentioned 'that person' who always tries to stiff the rest of his party when splitting a check evenly. We have one that will try that every chance he gets. In a new group it's a certainty that the rest of the party will scratch their heads wondering why the math somehow didn't add up right
#40
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,610
Surprised that no one has mentioned 'that person' who always tries to stiff the rest of his party when splitting a check evenly. We have one that will try that every chance he gets. In a new group it's a certainty that the rest of the party will scratch their heads wondering why the math somehow didn't add up right
"I'll do the accounting. You each owe $50. Bob, this is $30. You need to pay another $20."
or
"Let's go to dinner without Bob. I'm tired of him trying to short change us."
#41
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,809
My experience was slightly reversed. This guy used to get extra whatever he could on his burgers that didn't cost any extra, so he'd avoid extra cheese (a $0.30 cost) but would ask for extra lettuce, or extra pickles, etc, because he could get more of those without paying more. Of course, he was also the kind of person who filled his pockets with ketchup packets to use at home too.
Hey...I think he ended up working where I work.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,658
Relative justifies it by saying "they've never stopped me, other people do it, there's no sign saying purchase required, it wouldn't be out for everyone to use if it wasn't free, etc."
I don't spend time with said relative anymore. In fact, relative has been accused of shoplifting before, but the store decided not to press charges.
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
Surprised that no one has mentioned 'that person' who always tries to stiff the rest of his party when splitting a check evenly. We have one that will try that every chance he gets. In a new group it's a certainty that the rest of the party will scratch their heads wondering why the math somehow didn't add up right
#44
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Programs: DL 2MM/PM, HH LT <>, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,283
Surprised that no one has mentioned 'that person' who always tries to stiff the rest of his party when splitting a check evenly. We have one that will try that every chance he gets. In a new group it's a certainty that the rest of the party will scratch their heads wondering why the math somehow didn't add up right
Jim
Last edited by jimquan; Feb 9, 2017 at 9:26 pm Reason: Speling
#45
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,600
Could have been brits/europeans/australians...
I see the server grimace when they hear our accents. I tip 20%.
However, I do argue blind with people from my country that tipping IS NOT OPTIONAL. And that THEY ARE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. People who can afford it.
Might have become even worse for us brits now that our currency is worth buttons now. So paying a relatively high price for the food as well as tipping... Not an excuse, I doubt that type would tip if it was $100 to the pound.
I see the server grimace when they hear our accents. I tip 20%.
However, I do argue blind with people from my country that tipping IS NOT OPTIONAL. And that THEY ARE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. People who can afford it.
Might have become even worse for us brits now that our currency is worth buttons now. So paying a relatively high price for the food as well as tipping... Not an excuse, I doubt that type would tip if it was $100 to the pound.