Didn't pay the bill

[ffsimstupid]

Stupidly went out with a bunch of 'friends' last night for drinks and food. They decided they weren't going to pay because they 'get away with it all the time' and essentially we're going to leave me with the bill because I was protesting. Long story short ended up follow them out ( I know so stupid). I'm the goody two shoes of the group because of my guilty conscience and as I suspect this morning I feel awful. I really want to ring the restaurant and let them know the situation and pay when they open but I'm scared this is the wrong thing to do and can land me in big trouble.

Please try not to flame me I know full well I was in the wrong and I want to fix this, please advise me what you would do.

I’ve walked out without paying the bill on occasion (very forgetful)

How does someone do that more than once accidentally??

OP they won't be able to take payment over the phone. You'll have to go in. If your friends are doing this regularly I'm afraid I'd be giving their details to the staff too. It's disgusting behaviour and I can't believe they think it's ok to do it

That’s just awful, it’s so juvenile and pathetic. As well as common all garden theft.
Hope you haven’t got someone sacked in the process too.

I'd go in. A restaurant near us had a table walk out. They posted what had happened on their Social Media page, offering them a chance to pay or they'd upload screenshots of their CCTV.

Sorry I meant to say that they have the right to contact the police if some of the bill isn't paid as in, if you go in and pay just your share. If it's paid in full they'll just be happy that you did.

Definitely pay your share but don't pay the whole bill unless you're happy not to be reimbursed because I'd be surprised if your 'friends' will pay you back.

OP, you won't be in any trouble. The restaurant will be grateful you have gone back to pay. Your friends are vile

Never meet up with them again, block their number. Such shameful, selfish behaviour.

It's not just your friends being dickheads in this case though is it? In your OP you said they 'get away with it all the time'
Maybe time to distance yourself a bit.
Pay the bill, tell them what you did and leave the ball in their court.

Well done for doing the right thing.

Don't beat yourself for walking out with these "friends" last night. Peer pressure is really hard to resist. You tried arguing with them; you didn't just accept their shitty behaviour.

It's great that you're getting in touch with the restaurant today. They'll really appreciate it.

Just tried calling and its just ringing, thinking I may have to wait till open time. The only thing with the miscommunication thing is they obviously acted suspiciously leaving the restaurant so I think I may just we had a bit to drink and I've noticed we didn't pay.

Awful behaviour, so you all ate/drank and knowingly left without paying.

Of course you should pay now but it doesn’t negate the behaviour last night.

Like others have said the staff we most likely have to cover the bill with tips and whoever was in charge of the table may have got a huge bollocking. Yes pay the bill and ditch the friends. Restaurant will just be happy the bill has been paid.

They decided they weren't going to pay because they 'get away with it all the time'

So you are saying, that these people are decent people. But go out, eat and sit in a resturant and leave without paying.

But great people the rest of the time?

Not buying it.

I walked out of a coffee shop without paying once. Genuine mistake. I call them to let them know and paid later. They were happy to have the money. They thank me for my honesty.
Don't be afraid to do the right thing even if others don't.

If you pay the bill in full, message your friends, tell them you’ve paid the bill in full for xx and could they please reimburse you for their share.

Firstly please ditch those friends, they are common thieves.

I waitressed years ago in a different country, that would have come out of my pocket and I worked my arse off to survive and pay my bills while studying.

Do they shoplift too? Or steal handbags from people? It's no different.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss I am aware as I said I'm never like this this is partly why I feel so bad and scared obviously. We all have those in the moment things were we look back like wtf was I thinking

As well as common all garden theft

I wouldn't pay for theirs but I'd pay for mine.

@Kirkman maybe not good citizens but they usually aren't bad friends until last night

@1066vegan
“Well done for doing the right thing”

Eh?
The OP is as guilty as her friends and by -albeit reluctantly - agreeing to knowingly walk out without paying she has in the eye of the Law committed theft.

The only thing with the miscommunication thing is they obviously acted suspiciously leaving the restaurant so I think I may just we had a bit to drink and I've noticed we didn't pay.

Just tell them the truth.

You still seem to think these 'friends' aren't too bad. Rethink that when you realise that not only are they common thieves, but they won't care that you've picked up their entire bill. In fact they'll think you're a mug. Don't have anything else to do with them.

@stophuggingme
I know I'm very guilty I was just asking for advise on how to go about fixing it not sympathy

I'd make a GC now and tell them you are going into the restaurant to pay your part of the bill and you will leave all their names and phone numbers with the restaurant so they can be contacted to pay their part. They need shaming into it. What horrible people

Why are these people your friends?