Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend walked out of restaurant without paying

456 replies

GermanHouseCat · 31/07/2014 20:13

NC for this. Long time MNetter, been on the site for years. Promise!

I went out last night with a friend and his brother and girlfriend. The friend lives abroad and is back for a few days so it was a nice chance to see him.

They had already eaten when I arrived (an independent gastro bar with table service) and then together we had a round of drinks before planning to move on to another bar.

We asked for the bill, which included the total of the food/drinks they had before I arrived and then the one round of drinks we had together.

When it arrived, friend said "let's just walk out, shall we?" Before I could even fathom what he meant, his DB and GF had agreed and they stood up and walked out.

I was completely Shock Shock and had to make a split second decision about what to do. The bill was large and I couldn't afford to pay it all - nor felt morally at the time that I should - I put the money on the table for my drink and left feeling mortified.

I am usually very assertive but I was just so shocked I didn't know how to handle it. I'm ashamed to admit it but I didn't call them up on it (they were all so cool about doing it) so en route to the next bar I feigned illness and came home.

It can't be a money thing, DF and his GF both have very good jobs, the brother is working.

AIBU to be absolutely mortified at being part of this? I feel that they have implicated me in this and any repercussions. Should I have paid the lot? Should I call the bar and give them DF's details?

OP posts:
PunkHedgehog · 04/08/2014 15:01

'Tronc' rather than 'torque'.

And the restaurant is only permitted to count tips as income if they are paid by credit card (and possibly cheque). Always tip in cash - that way it legally has to go to the staff, not the owner.

KnackeredMuchly · 04/08/2014 15:56

I always ask about tipping by card, ask if they get it all. Some places take a 20% admin charge (thieves)

But tge last time I asked the waitress said she would take her carded tips right out of the till in cash.

HermioneDanger · 04/08/2014 15:58

I am very careful with tipping having had mine taken off me in the past. Only ever in cash.

ThatsNotWhatISaid · 04/08/2014 16:33

I always ask who gets the tip before I tip. Recently, I've noticed a lot a lot more places stating that 100% of the tips go to the staff

MadameDefarge · 04/08/2014 16:57

yup..knew it was something outre!

yy to always tipping in cash.

EasterEggHuntIsOver · 05/08/2014 13:36

Well this is the best outcome anyone could have hoped for :D
Well done OP!

Sad for the mum though, to discover that her sons are pathetic thieving twats :(

New posts on this thread. Refresh page