This happened recently and I was being waited on by the manager. I sat at the bar (which was empty) and took two sips of Diet Coke in <5 minutes. Shameless as hell.

At a different restaurant like a month ago, same situation, offered a Diet Coke and was NOT charged while I waited about 10 minutes for my to-go food.

Anonymous wrote:Huh?

Of course you pay for drinks in a restaurant.

No, if they offer it to you without you asking it should be on the house. Or they should state that there is a charge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh?

Of course you pay for drinks in a restaurant.

You have misinterpreted the scenario. I’ve had situations where I was picking up carry out and they were running behind and they gave me a free drink. It sounds like that’s what op was expecting, not that they were going to add it to her order.

Wow... You read all that from OP's post?

- dp

Np. I interpreted it as that because we do a lot of take out and one place often offers some tea if they are behind. Given this is often offered while apologizing for the wait, it seems logical to assume it is free.

It doesn’t seem logical to me that a business that sells food/drink is offering it for free unless they say that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is tricky of them. They are making it sound like the drink is a consolation for having to wait for the order.

I don't like when restaurants ask "do you want the salad or soup with it?" It is definitely phrased to make it seem an option is included with meal. I always read the menu carefully but know lots of people aren't as careful.

+1. This happened to me at Macaroni Grill and I haven't been back since (no loss since the food isn't great anyway). And yes I did take it out of the tip. I don't appreciate being scammed, which is also what happened to OP. Gross and these staff know exactly what they're doing - they probably are angling for a bigger tip by increasing the bill.

I really doubt someone is offering a $3 soda as some "scam" for an increased tip, even with someone who tips 20%. Mor elikely they are simply offering a service - if it is not wanted decline.

The extra tip on $3.00 would be $.60; don’t think that is a huge incentive. Most people probably don’t tip 20% on takeout anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is tricky of them. They are making it sound like the drink is a consolation for having to wait for the order.

I don't like when restaurants ask "do you want the salad or soup with it?" It is definitely phrased to make it seem an option is included with meal. I always read the menu carefully but know lots of people aren't as careful.

+1. This happened to me at Macaroni Grill and I haven't been back since (no loss since the food isn't great anyway). And yes I did take it out of the tip. I don't appreciate being scammed, which is also what happened to OP. Gross and these staff know exactly what they're doing - they probably are angling for a bigger tip by increasing the bill.

I really doubt someone is offering a $3 soda as some "scam" for an increased tip, even with someone who tips 20%. Mor elikely they are simply offering a service - if it is not wanted decline.

Op already placed the order and was waiting for the carry out. This wasn’t offering a service.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh?

Of course you pay for drinks in a restaurant.

You have misinterpreted the scenario. I’ve had situations where I was picking up carry out and they were running behind and they gave me a free drink. It sounds like that’s what op was expecting, not that they were going to add it to her order.

Wow... You read all that from OP's post?

- dp

Np. I interpreted it as that because we do a lot of take out and one place often offers some tea if they are behind. Given this is often offered while apologizing for the wait, it seems logical to assume it is free.

Just say no, problem solved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh?

Of course you pay for drinks in a restaurant.

You have misinterpreted the scenario. I’ve had situations where I was picking up carry out and they were running behind and they gave me a free drink. It sounds like that’s what op was expecting, not that they were going to add it to her order.

Wow... You read all that from OP's post?

- dp

I’m not OP or the pp you’re responding to, but I read it the same way pp did. When I’d place a carry out order at Zoe’s Kitchen (pre-Covid), they’d offer me a free soda while I waited for them to prepare the order. They’d make the offer after I paid, so it was clear they didn’t expect me to pay. They’d just hold out a cup and make the offer after the transaction. I guess you do need to confirm whether it’s free if you haven’t paid yet.

Or when hair stylist do it. Cut includes style, they ask if you want flat iron or curler, than charge extra for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is tricky of them. They are making it sound like the drink is a consolation for having to wait for the order.

I don't like when restaurants ask "do you want the salad or soup with it?" It is definitely phrased to make it seem an option is included with meal. I always read the menu carefully but know lots of people aren't as careful.

This is how we are told to upsell. We even have undercover diners coming to out place. They always get me. I cannot sell this damn bottle water if my life depended on it.

I was one of those undercover shoppers for restaurants & retail. I was honest and through in my shops, except I would have liked and said you offered it because I hate that sales approach. My own little underground, f you to management.

OP is going to tell the police that she didn't have it while sipping on it. Are you young, OP? This happens all the time. Cheap lessen you learned, more expensive ones to come.
Say not to sodas, not good for you.

Anonymous wrote:That is tricky of them. They are making it sound like the drink is a consolation for having to wait for the order.

I don't like when restaurants ask "do you want the salad or soup with it?" It is definitely phrased to make it seem an option is included with meal. I always read the menu carefully but know lots of people aren't as careful.

This is how we are told to upsell. We even have undercover diners coming to out place. They always get me. I cannot sell this damn bottle water if my life depended on it.

You’re standing there at a bar or in a restaurant. Where they serve food and drink. The staff asks you if you want a drink. Why would that be free?

You guys are so fricking cheap!! Just pay for the soda. (Oh yeah, adding that $3 bucks to the tab is really going to have the staff living in furs and diamond rings after they split the additional 45 cents! Which I’m sure you wouldn’t tip for anyway.)

It's somewhat scammy, but I would take it as a lesson learned.

I would assume management is training them to do it and telling them to charge for it. Not to generate extra tip, if anything, it risks getting stiffed on a tip. Management knows that's less than 5 cents of product for $3. Nothing has higher margins than soda from the gun.