Do they really make you wash the dishes if you forget to bring money to the restaurant?

Question

It came up today as a question at lunch--you see it in the movies, if a person can't pay for their meal at a restaurant, the restaurant makes them wash the dishes. True? Or how is it handled? It would be so easy to forget a wallet, it must happen pretty often. Any experience, either as a customer or in the restaurant business?

Answer 1

About two weeks ago I went out to eat and at the end of my dinner I realized.

I HAD NO MONEY.

No money, no credit card, no nothin'. I have a purse with me that has a digital camera, my reading glasses, a couple of movie stubs and a tube of MAC lipstick. I am picturing my license and debit card in the pocket of my fleece jacket hanging on the back of the kitchen chair. OMG-I don't want to cause a scene and Dane (the waitress) has been so nice to me. The last time this happened to me was never.

Breathing a little bit hard, I go up to the hostess stand and tell the manager my dilemma. I am really truly sorry, and will go home and get Ruby Tuesday their money right away.

She tells me "not to worry, enjoy your dinner and you can bring us the money anytime you are in the neighborhood again; tomorrow, next week- whenever. She will take care of it with Dane. God Bless Ruby Tuesday.

Of course I am going to pay them tonight. I drive home-25 minutes. Use the restroom and grab the fleece jacket. Drive back to the burbs -20 minutes with a pit stop at the ATM machine and give the manager my money, thanking her for her kindness.

Oh- and Dane got a BIG tip.

Answer 2

No. They just call cops to get you arrested.

Answer 3

i would imagine that they would call the cops....

Answer 4

They won't arrest you unless you purposally try to leave without paying. Everyone makes mistakes, why would some of these other answerers think that you would get arrested for making a little mistake such as forgetting your wallet?

If you explain your situation, they are normally pretty understanding. My grandpa has forgotten his wallet on numerous occasions. The restaurants have always allowed him to run home and fetch some cash while my grandma sits in the restaurant and waits.

Answer 5

now adyays they call the POLICE

Answer 6

I would guess they would take your info and give you a day or something to pay before they called the cops But thats just a guess?

Answer 7

No, actually, they can have you arrested for theft.

More than likely they will allow your party to stay while you find an ATM.