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Have you ever done a runner?

Outlaw Pete

Just reading there where a couple in the UK treated themselves to a slap up meal of T-bone steaks, chocolate pudding and Bailey's in a country pub, but afterwards jumped over a hedge and pegged it.

Couple ran up a £150 bill dining on steak, wine and spirits at a country pub – before jumping over a hedge

A young couple ran up a £150 bill feasting on steak, fine wine and spirits before jumping over a hedge and into the night in a brazen dine-and-dash scam.

Police are hunting for the thieves after they left without paying at the Unruly Pig, in Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, last Friday night.

The suspects, both in their twenties, enjoyed a cold meat platter, chilled soup, T-bone and rump steak and chocolate pudding as well two bottles of Italian white wine, four liqueurs, three cognacs and sparkling water.

Reminds me of when I was 17 and about eight of us arrived back in Dublin from Féile, most of us not having eaten in 48 hours or so (spent all our cash on the old drink of course) and having just watched everyone on the train back up tucking into all sorts of grub. Sure we were fit to ate the hand of someone and so we all bailed into a chippers in the city centre, tucked into some fish and chips, beans and the like.... then legged it. Ran all the way to Fairview if I remember right. I did pay my own share back though many years later when I left them a €12.75 tip after a fry up.

How about yourselves, ever done a runner to avoid paying for a mean or cab fare etc?

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ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I've had meals I paid for and didn't eat but I never stole food, no.

Speedwell

Candie wrote: »

When I was a student, I was asked out to a dinner at a nice local restaurant by a couple who had asked a good few out to celebrate their engagement. They made a big thing out of taking everyone out for a meal, and while I didn't know them all that well, a free meal to a student is a free meal you don't refuse.

They took us out and we all ordered, and being a nice guest I made sure I didn't order anything particularly expensive, unlike some others who boozed up and ordered steaks bigger than an average dog. At the end of the meal, after every thanked the couple for their generosity, and toasted them happiness in their future life, I went off to the loo to get ready for the walk home and like has happened a few people, when I came out, nearly everyone had left apart from some people I didn't really know, so off I went.

Turned out the couple 'hosting' this dinner party expected everyone to pay for themselves and I'd skipped out without paying. They'd repeatedly said I was their guest and to order whatever I want, it was their party, etc., etc. I went back and paid the £50 for the meal I had - it would have been much more if I was a drinker, but I never spoke to the happy couple again as it was £50 I simply couldn't afford. A decision reinforced by the wedding invitation asking for 'at least' £200 in cash or vouchers. From a student.

The moral of the story is there's no such thing as a free lunch. Or dinner.

Jesus, if you were relying on assurances from the couple that you were their guest, that is legally actionable. Of course, a student too poor to drop 50 on a dinner is not going to be in a position to hire a solicitor, I understand that. But how scummy of the couple.

[Deleted User]

Speedwell wrote: »

Jesus, if you were relying on assurances from the couple that you were their guest, that is legally actionable. Of course, a student too poor to drop 50 on a dinner is not going to be in a position to hire a solicitor, I understand that. But how scummy of the couple.

I know, it still grates when I think of it. I think the misleading was deliberate, they wanted a nice party but didn't want to pay for it and relied on peoples manners to get away with it. All they did was make themselves unpopular.

One friend of my went to town on the menu, wine for each course and a couple of brandies with coffee afterwards as well, the works. His bill came to £127. He was starving for weeks afterwards.

I kind of felt he deserved it for taking advantage though.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Candie wrote: »

When I was a student, I was asked out to a dinner at a nice local restaurant by a couple who had asked a good few out to celebrate their engagement. They made a big thing out of taking everyone out for a meal, and while I didn't know them all that well, a free meal to a student is a free meal you don't refuse.

They took us out and we all ordered, and being a nice guest I made sure I didn't order anything particularly expensive, unlike some others who boozed up and ordered steaks bigger than an average dog. At the end of the meal, after every thanked the couple for their generosity, and toasted them happiness in their future life, I went off to the loo to get ready for the walk home and like has happened a few people, when I came out, nearly everyone had left apart from some people I didn't really know, so off I went.

Turned out the couple 'hosting' this dinner party expected everyone to pay for themselves and I'd skipped out without paying. They'd repeatedly said I was their guest and to order whatever I want, it was their party, etc., etc. I went back and paid the £50 for the meal I had - it would have been much more if I was a drinker, but I never spoke to the happy couple again as it was £50 I simply couldn't afford. A decision reinforced by the wedding invitation asking for 'at least' £200 in cash or vouchers. From a student.

The moral of the story is there's no such thing as a free lunch. Or dinner.

That reminds me of something similar that happened with my mothers family.
My mom passed away when I was 18, and the day she was buried was the last time I spoke to them. They're not particularly nice people and the least we had to do with them, the better.
They're mostly very false, appearances is very important to them but at everyone else's expense.

Anyway, my moms aunt came home from California a few years ago, and I would be quite close to them, but she wanted to meet all the Irish relations. She asked me if I would ask them if they were interested in catching up, she was in her 80s and it was her last trip to Ireland so wanted to see as many people as she could.

Begrudgingly I called the least septic cousin and asked her to ask around if anyone was interested, we were going for dinner that sat night and call me back with numbers. We had booked one restaurant at X time.
Cousin rang back with numbers, I think about 16 of them were coming. (I was expecting 5, the others wouldn't have known the Americans) she told me to book another restaurant as the menu was better and was only a little bit more expensive... Alright, I booked the suggested one and Saturday night rolled on around.

We had the place booked for about 30, and this particular family started to arrive. There was all the original cousins (my moms first cousins) their husbands and wives, their kids and in two cases, their grandkids.
The restaurant was really annoyed as a lot more came than we had booked for and we couldn't all sit together. They made sure they got in sitting with the aunt/cousins from America anyway.

The family alcoholic, the last time I saw her she was buying tesco value vodka and the cheap lemonade, was ordering cocktails to beat the band. They got the bar tab going, settling in for a right session. They were sucking up to the Americans so much they might as well have been rimming them.

I had taken time off work to bring them around and we had done so much while they were in Ireland. Of course they had to tell me where I should have taken them and what we should have done and where would have been better but didn't see them doing much.

Anyway, the restaurant was trying to get us to move on, it was so late and they wanted to close. My mothers cousins husband tapped me on the shoulder and said "Lexie, who's settling this?" And I said well Aidan, it's pay for yourself. I was 22, I don't know where he thought I was getting the cash to pay for it. And id actually rather take my money and set it alight before I'd pay for so much as a glass of water for any of them.

The alcoholic started crying about having no money. My mothers oldest cousin -- who had previously walked out of a line in the bank so as she wouldn't have to talk to me after my mother died -- said it to me that it was bad form to invite someone to something and expect them to pay for themselves, but I didn't think twice about telling me I normally wouldn't be in their company let alone invite them out for dinner, I merely passed on a message to one of them to put the word out if anyone would like to see the family that were home, to let us know for numbers.

It may be stingy but I regret naaaathing

[Deleted User]

Never.
That's just an activity for low life's.

Elliott S

I really abhor the idea of dining and dashing. I was actually just thinkinh about this last night. It is so knackery and mean. A lot of restaurants don't make a big profit, there are a lot of costs involved in running one. And everyone involved in getting the meal to your table works hard. If I'm not pleased with a meal, I'll complain and hope for a discount of some kind. But not paying? No, just no.

[Deleted User]

Elliott S wrote: »

I really abhor the idea of dining and dashing. I was actually just thinkinh about this last night. It is so knackery and mean. A lot of restaurants don't make a big profit, there are a lot of costs involved in running one. And everyone involved in getting the meal to your table works hard. If I'm not pleased with a meal, I'll complain and hope for a discount of some kind. But not paying? No, just no.

Yeah, its just thieving like any other kind of thieving. No excuse for it.

gigantic09

Wouldn't be classed as 'doing a runner' as such but the following is in the same ballpark.Couple of mates of mine were on a night out in galway.They went back to a hotel at the end of the night with a couple of girls they met.It didn't work out with the chicks,but instead of going home they spotted a vacant room nearby and promptly went inside and had a nights kip.Before going to sleep they had the foresight to put out the request for breakfast in bed on the door.So not only had they a free nights kip,they also had a complementary full irish the nect morning.

[Deleted User]

Elliott S wrote: »

Anywhere I've been, they ask for your room number. How would you get away with that?

Usually just strolled in passed the people taking room numbers and sat down, they were busy when I walked in or I said I was joining others already seated. On another occasion I just went into the bar and started drinking after the breakfast (the breakfast room opened into the bar) and they never came over to me to ask to settle up nor added it to my bill when I was checking out, that was the only time I actually went out to avoid paying and I'd left a fortune behind the bar between the residents bar and the next day drinking so I wasn't too bothered. The other times I just said nothing but was intending to pay if asked.

Elliott S

Candie wrote: »

Yeah, its just thieving like any other kind of thieving. No excuse for it.

Yes, I don't see how anyone can see it as any different to walking to a shop and shoplifting.

Your story is different though, as is the story of the guy upthread who wasnt paid by the restaurant for work done.

Once I inadvertently shoplifted. It was a total brain fart, accidental moment. But I was mortified and went back as soon as I realised, 30 minutes later or so, to pay and explain what happened. I could not have that on my conscience. It's just a magazine but profit margins are low on items like that so I couldn't just leave it, I had to go and back and pay.

Stheno

A couple of places I go out to regularly get the bill wrong as in its missing drinks or desserts etc.

Anytime I point it out they are gobsmacked

Elliott S

Fluffy Cat 88 wrote: »

I did but it was accidental

New cafe opened up in town, self service type place. Got a lovely lasagne with chips and a big salad, 2 coffees (shift workers like their coffee), and the nice lady said "ah you're grand, pay me when you're finished".

Guzzled the lot and forgot to pay. Driving back to work when I realised. I went back straight away, ran in, paid and apologised profusely . She said "ah sure I never even noticed, you're very honest thanks very much".

About 2 weeks later it closed down.

I've actually done that too once by accident. In self-service places, it's so easy. But like you, I went back and paid.

Elliott S

Naya Teeny Pilot wrote: »

The other times I just said nothing but was intending to pay if asked.

Why not just pay without being asked? It's fine to add breakfast on to a room you've booked. There's no issue with that. Would you steal crisps from a bar just because you'd spent a lot of money on booze there? Same thing!

mikeym

Im too respectable to do a runner

wakka12

Im actually surprised by how rarely it occurs. Like generally it is so easy to get away with it mostly due to the fact that its so rare and workers will not expect it at all. But yeh, worked in several cafes and resturarants over the years and never happened once, was quite shocked tbh

Virtanen

Never did it myself, only ever seen it once, in an Eddie Rocket's

Guy in his mid-20s, well-dressed so could obviously afford whatever he had. Floor manager chased him out the door, and he must have given up pretty easy as a few seconds later she marches him in to pay, not a look of guilt on his face, like it was a game

[Deleted User]

Elliott S wrote: »

Yes, I don't see how anyone can see it as any different to walking to a shop and shoplifting.

Your story is different though, as is the story of the guy upthread who wasnt paid by the restaurant for work done.

Once I inadvertently shoplifted. It was a total brain fart, accidental moment. But I was mortified and went back as soon as I realised, 30 minutes later or so, to pay and explain what happened. I could not have that on my conscience. It just a magazine but profit margins are low are items like that so I couldn't just leave it, I had to go and back and pay.

Well, I did go back and pay as soon as I realised, even knowing I'd be starving for the week.

I did the same thing as you, was clothes shopping and was looking at a belt and slung it over my shoulder so I could pick up something else, then walked out with the belt over my shoulder. As soon as I realised it I brought it back and explained, and they were gobsmacked.

Mint Sauce

By accident. Having a quick bite to eat in Abrakebabra with a girl I was going out with at the time. Walked her back to her house when realised hadn't paid. Went back in later that day to pay, as would be known to some of the staff, who were quite surprised at my honesty.

*I have upgraded were I take a girl out these days ladies

MilesMorales1

I accidentally did once. Went back and paid though, nice cafe it was didn't want to be blacklisted from it.

cml387

My late father (God rest him), told me he once did a runner with a mate of his from The Green Rooster in O'Connell Street.
Those of a certain age may have heard of the establishment, the place to eat in Dublin in the 40's.
They realised after the meal that they didn't have the cash.
He was still guilty about it 40 years later.
He did say that it closed afterwards after a rat was seen in the window, but that might have been guilt transferrance.

Stoogie

eoghan104 wrote: »

One of the lads ate the bil

lol

AgileMyth

I lived in Belgium for a while, it was the first time I was somewhere you would pay for your beers at the end. Obviously I would get drunk and forget to pay, mostly they'd stop me or I'd remember the next day but I'm sure there are a few bars that I owe a few quid.

Silly system anyway!

Turtyturd

Never done it myself. Wouldn't point out if I was undercharged though.

Along similar lines though I grew up in a flat complex and it was fairly common to see/hear stories of people getting a taxi into the middle of the block then bolting from the taxi in different directions. Know of at least one taxi driver who got out a gave chase only to have his taxi robbed before he got back. :pac:

Slunk

Done it once before. Out for dinner on a Sunday with the girlfriend and a few others. I had order the beef, which took several reminders to come and when it did it was lamb. The waitress swore blind it was beef and i didnt want to wait another age for another dinner so I ate it. One of the others ordered a coke and was flat, like the end of a 2ltr bottle. The waitress was having none of it.overall, very very poor experience and attitude. We told the girls to meet us outside after the bathroom and we would settle up. We just left.
Other times I've mentioned a round of drinks not been charged etc other times I've said nothing. It all depends how they treat you. I actually walked out without paying for a burger and pint quite recently and went back the next day. The guy couldn't believe when he seen me walk back in

Chaos Black

Running after a heavy meal and drinks. Screw that, walking is difficult enough after a good meal.

Discodog

I don't know why they bothered. You can leave without paying provided you leave your name & address. Years ago a bunch of us went to a Chinese Restaurant. The meal was genuinely bad & we said that we would pay for the little we had eaten but no more.

We ended up having to call the Police as the staff had fetched an assortment of meat cleavers & knives.

cml387

Discodog wrote: »

I don't know why they bothered. You can leave without paying provided you leave your name & address. Years ago a bunch of us went to a Chinese Restaurant. The meal was genuinely bad & we said that we would pay for the little we had eaten but no more.

We ended up having to call the Police as the staff had fetched an assortment of meat cleavers & knives.

Yes it's always wiser to do a runner from McDonald's as they can do only limited damage with the little scoops they dole out the chips with.

Actually you can't do a runner from McDonald's as you pay up front.

OK just talk among yourselves for a while.:o

Sam Kade

eoghan104 wrote: »

Did it once in Eddie Rockets after a rake of pints. One of the lads ate the bill and we all walked out.

Obviously it's not a great thing to do. I certainly wouldn't do it now, but someone saying they went back and paid 18 years later is a liar, or a liar.

I know a fella that stole a goose from a farmers wife and after 30 years he felt so guilty he called to her son to tell him and wanted to pay for the goose, true story.

Pepe LeFrits

I had a flatmate that used to do runners on taxis sometimes. I was watching TV one evening and heard a voice in the hallway. Went out and there was a cabbie standing in the doorway. My flatmate had jumped out of the taxi at the end of the street, run to the house, left the front door open and passed out on the bed in the front room with the lights on.

Dude wasn't good with a few drinks on him.

gigantic09

Sam Kade wrote: »

I know a fella that stole a goose from a farmers wife and after 30 years he felt so guilty he called to her son to tell him and wanted to pay for the goose, true story.

The goose probably wouldn't have recognized them after the 30 years so he was right to offer payment instead of returning the bird :-).