How honest would you be in this sort of situation?

[PureChaos]

Last weekend I went to stay with a friend for a few days that I hadn't seen for about 3 years. One evening we were wondering what to do for food so I suggested we go for a curry. We find an Indian restaurant and we each have a starter, curry, naan and a drink. When the bill comes we realize they've only charged us for one started but when the waiter comes over, we split the bill and both pay on card so pretty much got a free starter. We leave a nice tip and head on our way.

When I got back home from the visit I told my house mate about it and he said that, if that had been him, he would have said they'd left a starter off the bill. He told me that, once, he had done some shopping and left a magazine in the trolley by accident but only realized when he got outside so went back in to pay for it, because he's honest.

Thing is, him not paying for his magazine was his own fault for leaving it in the trolley, it wasn't the establishment that forgot to charge him for it.

So what would you do if you realize an item had been left off your bill at a restaurant? Would you tell them or keep quiet? Would you keep quiet if you realize you hadn't paid for something in your shopping trolley?

 

[tippy2k2]

I will usually speak up if I notice it.

About three weeks ago, the server was kind of dumb and brought us all of our bills. I had never gone to this place but my beverage was not on the bill. I assumed that this was normal (thinking it came with your meal) and didn't say anything. Later, I realized my mistake when I was just chatting with a co-worker who came with and was complaining about how high the price was at that place. I felt kind of bad for doing it

Now granted, I obviously didn't feel bad enough to go give them the $1.50 for my pop If I am aware there was a mistake, I will bring it up.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Depends on my opinion on wherever the item is from.

For example, the local pizza place that I've visited down the years, I would tell them, because they've always treated me well, and they make my favourite food.

However, a restaurant that I went to were my friends and I weren't exactly treated well (late to be seated and served, the food wasn't great, the waiter wasn't exactly welcoming etc) I would be less likely to point it out mainly because I had a bad experience with them.

This also sort of goes for large companies vs local store as well, I'm more likely to point out that mistake to a local store than a Sainsburys for example, mainly because the local store would miss the money more.

 

[Quaxar]

Yeah, I normally point out that stuff as well, sometimes people even give discounts for being honest.
I once bought 3 pizzas from my then-favourite place, they were really full and busy and only when I got home noticed both me and them had forgot about actually paying for the whole order. That made me feel really bad for some time.

 

[Leemaster777]

I like to think of myself as a fairly honest person... but if a restaurant makes a mistake on the bill, I won't point it out.

I'll give an example: Awhile back, I went to the Wendy's drive thru, and got a meal. About halfway back home, I realized that I hadn't paid. Now, I didn't just drive off, the server handed me my food when I pulled up, thanked me for coming, and closed the window. She definitely forgot to ask for my money. I suppose I COULD have just driven back and paid, but frankly, I just didn't feel like it.

I don't think it's that big a deal, I work in the food industry myself, and mistakes happen all the time. Unless the person has a history of making costly mistakes, then these things aren't really punished.

 

[ThatCatHead]

I can kinda related to this. Me and the missus were on holiday in Spain and totally forgot that unlike England, you pay for your drinks at the end of your session in bars. We forgot and walked off. About ten minutes after leaving we both though, "hmmm... Somethings not right... I dont remember spending any money?" So we went back to the bar and the owner was there, we apologised in our best pidgin Spanish and paid out tab. The owner was so pleased we'd been honest enough to come back that he made us another couple of (massively alcoholic) drinks, free of charge. 3 of those later we were rather drunk indeed. So, it pays to be honest. Well, not for your liver, maybe.

 

[Realitycrash]

I would point out any such situation. Why? Because I can afford to. If I were constantly broke, I probably would not, but I am unsure.

 

[FoolKiller]

Everywhere except where the lady at the pizza shop keeps trying to rip me off by making me catch her errors. When she screws up in my favour I make sure to keep every extra penny. Thieving troll deserves to lose money.

 

[someonehairy-ish]

Normally I'd point it out, but I'm a student and I don't currently have a job, so I'm a bit more unscrupulous than usual... even so, if the prices in the restaurant were reasonable enough I'd point it out.

 

[DugMachine]

I would point it out. But only if the people were decent folk. My regular restaurants I always leave good tips and tell them about mistakes on the bill cause they're good people.

I once walked out of a store with a soda that I had grabbed up front but they never charged me for it. Went back inside and told them I forgot and I'd like to pay for it but they let me have it for being honest. So yay

 

[Genocidicles]

It depends.

It was like a little local restaurant I would speak up. If it was some chain restaurant I wouldn't. I think they can afford it.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I'm honest and always speak up.

I was at a cafe drinking coffee and eating a toasted roll when I was only charged for the roll. I pointed this out when I was paying and they thanked me. I'd do it anyway however.

 

[solemnwar]

Err... isn't not letting them know about something like actually considered theft? You did leave without paying for something, after all.


People make mistakes, it happens, as a decent human being you speak up and say, "Oh, you forgot something on our bill C:" They REALLY appreciate that, you know, since if something isn't paid for it can quite often be taken out of the server's pay/tips. Hell, sometimes they give it to you for free anyways, because they appreciate the honesty.

Honestly the fact that you BOTH KNEW and neither of you said ANYTHING, you come off as being an ass.

 

[Adamantium93]

I guess it depends. If I enjoyed the meal, the prices are reasonable, and I got good service, I would point out the mistake. If I don't feel like the meal/service was worth it, I won't.

 

[Trueflame]

If someone makes a mistake in my favor on a restaurant bill, grocery bill, whatever, I won't point out the mistake. That's just the universe handing you a nice little bonus. No restaurant is going to be harmed by such minor mistakes, which are simply a part of life in any business, but it's a pleasant surprise for me. I'd do what you did and leave a nice tip, so everyone leaves happy. People that are "honest" to a ridiculous degree just piss me off. I find them pretentious, and don't for a minute think they are motivated by anything other than a selfish desire to feel superior.

 

[Silvanus]

I'm afraid that I'd be utterly, knowingly dishonest, and wouldn't bring it up.

Even if I accidentally left something in the trolly and left without paying for the item. I wouldn't go back. This is not to say that I would steal from a shop; but, if they or i made a mistake in my favour, I wouldn't go and right it.



There is an exception, which is if the shop in question was a small, independent type of place which left a positive impression on me. I'm imagining a lovely little independent handmade sandwich shop I went to in Surrey. A place like that, yes, I would point it out & reimburse them.

But I'm not going to lose sleep over Tescos missing out on an extra couple of my quid. I need it more, quite frankly.

 

[Easton Dark]

Been there. Ordered a sandwich from Subway once, paid with a 10, got a 20 back in change.

I considered that a good day. Their mistake, my gain, no pain.

 

[spartan231490]

I keep my mouth shut.