Restaurants - Doing a runner
Poll: Restaurants - Doing a runner
Total Members Polled: 227
Discussion
I read today that this is on the increase but people rarely get caught and it's of low priority to police.
So have you ever done runner from a restaurant?
I did. When I was 18yo with a load of mates as we were all egging eachother on it got all exciting. What they don't know is I went back and paid!
Anyone care to admit it?
So have you ever done runner from a restaurant?
I did. When I was 18yo with a load of mates as we were all egging eachother on it got all exciting. What they don't know is I went back and paid!

Anyone care to admit it?
There have been a couple of occasions when restaurants I've been to deserve not to be paid, but I wouldn't ever walk out of a restaurant without paying for my meal, not unless I regarded myself as a thief.
That said, I don't regularly tip unless someone has provided particularly good service. Far too many people see waiting as a chance for some easy extras without actually having to desire to actually please the people they serve and I have no time for that. Paying for the meal however, is the compulsory part.
That said, I don't regularly tip unless someone has provided particularly good service. Far too many people see waiting as a chance for some easy extras without actually having to desire to actually please the people they serve and I have no time for that. Paying for the meal however, is the compulsory part.
Not a runner per se, but imrans balti hut in Northampton- you could take your own booze in- and a sign said 'for the customers own safety, please limit your alcohol consumption'
We arrived steaming, got more steaming, ate, drank sloe gin and port after, and eventually just left without paying- same as a runner I guess, but incapable of running.
Awoke next morning, discussed who paid what, when it dawned that no one actually paid.
Went back the next evening to pay, and was told not to worry about it, we were the best behaved drunks they had ever had!
We arrived steaming, got more steaming, ate, drank sloe gin and port after, and eventually just left without paying- same as a runner I guess, but incapable of running.
Awoke next morning, discussed who paid what, when it dawned that no one actually paid.
Went back the next evening to pay, and was told not to worry about it, we were the best behaved drunks they had ever had!
In fairness - I never did a runner; as such - merely took advantage of a situation.
Met with some friends at a bar & restaurant, which had outside seating.
Being the middle of summer; we sat outside
Each time we wanted a drink, a waiter would come over and we'd place our order. Once the drinks arrived, we paid.
Not once did we need to leave out seats to order and pay for the drinks.
After several drinks we ordered some food; again, the waiter came over and took our order.
The food was then bought to us by a member of the kitchen staff, not a waiter.
After eating, we ordered some more drinks: Once again, along came a waiter, took our order, returned shortly afterwards and asked for payment - but only for the drinks.
Several hours later we noted they'd had a staff change; surely they would now ask for payment for our food.
We ordered our last round before moving somewhere else. The new waiter came, took the order, returned and asked for payment - but only for the drinks.
We finished our drinks and moved on.
I returned a few days later with some different friends; they never said a word, never hinted nor asked about the free food.
On ordering food this time however, the waiter bought it to us and we paid
Met with some friends at a bar & restaurant, which had outside seating.
Being the middle of summer; we sat outside

Each time we wanted a drink, a waiter would come over and we'd place our order. Once the drinks arrived, we paid.
Not once did we need to leave out seats to order and pay for the drinks.
After several drinks we ordered some food; again, the waiter came over and took our order.
The food was then bought to us by a member of the kitchen staff, not a waiter.
After eating, we ordered some more drinks: Once again, along came a waiter, took our order, returned shortly afterwards and asked for payment - but only for the drinks.
Several hours later we noted they'd had a staff change; surely they would now ask for payment for our food.
We ordered our last round before moving somewhere else. The new waiter came, took the order, returned and asked for payment - but only for the drinks.
We finished our drinks and moved on.
I returned a few days later with some different friends; they never said a word, never hinted nor asked about the free food.
On ordering food this time however, the waiter bought it to us and we paid

louismchuge said:
Am I going to be the only one to own up to this?
Was nobody else young, drunk and stupid?
I've been all three of those (seperately and all at the same time), still managed to pay for all my meals in restaurants though. Though it's hardly crime of the century it's too far over the line for me I guess.Was nobody else young, drunk and stupid?
Genuine quesion here - when you were as you put it "young, drunk and stupid" what was your stance on shoplifting?
Definitely not. Some restaurants take it out of the wages of the unfortunate waiter which makes it even worse. I have once walked out and not paid in error many years ago. I called them and went back to settle the bill.
No surprise that the vast majority of those responding would not do a runner.
No surprise that the vast majority of those responding would not do a runner.
GTIR said:
I read today that this is on the increase but people rarely get caught and it's of low priority to police.
So have you ever done runner from a restaurant?
I did. When I was 18yo with a load of mates as we were all egging eachother on it got all exciting. What they don't know is I went back and paid!
Anyone care to admit it?
Never. Not paid the full bill and explained why, but never legged it.So have you ever done runner from a restaurant?
I did. When I was 18yo with a load of mates as we were all egging eachother on it got all exciting. What they don't know is I went back and paid!

Anyone care to admit it?
Another little stunt I fell out with some mates about years ago was when they used to book two restaurants and show up at which ever one they felt like when the time came.
I found out about this practice when I showed up at one, when they had shown up at the other. The biggest problem was that the one they had let down was a tiny family run outfit - so small it was unlicensed - and the booking would have been half the covers for the evening.
I felt absolutely gutted for the owner and offered to pay a contribution towards her loss. She refused but I left the wine I'd taken along as an apology.
Yup. Years ago at a Harry Ramsdens on the south coast.
Apalling service, 90 min wait for fish and chips, and repeated errors both on drinks orders, and one of the mains.
The Missus and I, asked for the bill.
The waiter said, "im just of on a fag break, ill bring it on the way back".
We got up and left.
Apalling service, 90 min wait for fish and chips, and repeated errors both on drinks orders, and one of the mains.
The Missus and I, asked for the bill.
The waiter said, "im just of on a fag break, ill bring it on the way back".
We got up and left.
I was eating on the open terrace outside one of the bars in Kingston a few years ago. We were having drinks outside and due to licensing, at about 8pm (could have been 9pm) we were asked to move inside (fairly packed bar). I went to look for the waitress to pay the bill and she thanked me with a look of relief on her face...
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