A word of caution for folks who think they can order food in a restaurant and leave without paying

[PDJane]

8. I have done that. I was chatting with my dining partner, and I walked out without paying.

(It had been a rough day). He finally told me about halfway home that I hadn't paid; he was, "going to leave it, but I decided that you and I might want to go back sometime."

I left him there, turned around and went back to the restaurant. Since we were on the subway, it took about 25 minutes all told.

I walked up to the manager, who was speaking with our waiter, and explained what I had done, and asked for the check. He grinned at the waiter, said, “You were right, it seems...” The waiter had explained that I was a regular, and would pay the bill as soon as I realized I hadn't. The manager grinned at me, informed me that it looked as though it had been a rough day, and paid for the meal out of his own pocket...over my objections. I gave the waiter her tip.

Never did go back to the restaurant with that character either; nor anywhere else, frankly. Not my type.