thenelli01 Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 I was out to dinner a few weeks ago and an interesting situation arose. It was mother's day so my family and I dined at a restaurant. It took about an hour and a half to get seated and just as we ordered the fire alarm went off (apparently there was a fire in the kitchen). Everyone was directed to leave the building and it took about 30-45 minutes until we could go back and eat. When we came back into the restaurant, we noticed that the family of 7 next to us, who had just finished their meal before the alarm went off, left without paying for their food. Note: they would not have been able to pay until after the fire department inspected the place so they would have had to wait about 30 minutes. What is proper in this situation? I do not believe that they should have to wait 30 minutes so they can pay for their food, but it does bother me a bit that they can just walk out without paying for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninth Doctor Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 What is proper in this situation? I do not believe that they should have to wait 30 minutes so they can pay for their food, but it does bother me a bit that they can just walk out without paying for anything. Maybe they’re regulars and went back to settle up later. Can the restaurant demand people stick around? By what means? What means that wouldn’t amount to false imprisonment and/or kidnapping? What if these people had theater tickets or otherwise had to go somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0918 Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 Find a manager, give them cash, or your phone number so they can call you and process your credit card later. It may not be illegal in such situations, but I would consider it an example of taking the unearned, and thus immoral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CptnChan Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 I think it would be possible to get money to the manager. Based on your information, I don't think skipping the bill as the only option. Not exactly the same, but we went out for sushi once, and after getting our drinks and ordering appetizers, we sat for an hour without receiving anything, or even being checked on by the waitress. Everyone in our group decided to leave, but we still left cash on the table for the drinks and appetizers (which we never even got). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackethan Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 Paid for stuff you never got at a restaurant? Mighty generous of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairnet Posted May 30, 2012 Report Share Posted May 30, 2012 If you get what you ordered pay your bill. You may have to get up and ask someone to do it but that is the contract you sign by walking in to that private establishment. (Reality does not make concessions for the obtuse) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrolicsomeQuipster Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Maybe they did find a waiter while they went outside and paid them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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