I also wonder if this has basis in a somewhat American mindset (not, I am American this is not a criticism but an observation) that people want it only if it is free. Like being upset you get charged for the drink you had a few sips from as a PP upthread did, implying you would have skipped it if you knew you’d be charged as you weren’t thirsty, but otherwise would be fine wasting it so long as you didn’t pay. Weird to me - if you aren’t thirsty enough to pay for it maybe just don’t order it, even if it may be free?

Anonymous wrote:This is why we can't have nice mom and pop shops and it's all chains. You would never question McDonald's asking do you want fries with that, but as soon as a local small business owner tries to gently upsell you get all upset and say a scam.

Wait…what? I’m supposed to pay for those fries?! They aren’t free?!!
Lol, great analogy, PP

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless they specifically say “on the house” when offering, I’d assume I am going to be charged for it

Nobody talks like this is real life. Even when it's been free, I've never had someone say this before hand.

2 days ago our waiter brought us 2 desserts with our to go order and said, “I’d like for you try these two desserts, on me.” They were delicious.
I remember specifically because my kid asked what does “on me” mean.

I know it is shocking, but restaurants sell food and drinks for profit. Settle down.

Anonymous wrote:Unless they specifically say “on the house” when offering, I’d assume I am going to be charged for it

Nobody talks like this is real life. Even when it's been free, I've never had someone say this before hand.

It we reminds me when waitstaff asks if you'd like cheese on your salad or a side that has an upcharge without mentioning there is an associated fee.

Ive worked in several restaurants and we were trained to do this. Managers will offer incentives to waitstaff who, for example, sell the most drinks/ desserts/ appetizers on a shift.

I say no because I don’t want to pay for it. It’s never clear that it’s actually free. Unless they say on the house.

This is why we can't have nice mom and pop shops and it's all chains. You would never question McDonald's asking do you want fries with that, but as soon as a local small business owner tries to gently upsell you get all upset and say a scam.

I don't understand why going to a place that sells food and drinks you're mad that they charge for your drink!

Anonymous wrote: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.)

Yup.

I usually decline as you never know except if they are offering it for free, but it is a bit weird as you'd assume it was free.

I would not go back. I hate scammy tactics.

Is "soda" code for alcohol? Maybe they are trying to ask in a classy way whether you would like a drink at the bar after your long day before you head home to the family chaos, which is clearly too busy to cook up dinner that night? And intimating they are not too busy to accommodate you if that were the case? Breathe, people.

I usually tip a couple bucks for takeout, but this would make me not leave anything.

It's a smarmy tactic for sure.

I'd also leave a mixed review - to forewarn others, and encourage the to stop doing this. It doesn't need to be outright negative if the food and everything else was otherwise great, but maybe 3 stars for a mixed service experience.

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

It is what I read from OP's post. I am a different poster. Yes, I think OP got scammed. From the wording I would have expected that the drink would be free to make up for the long wait. Just like a restaurant will offer free dessert or a free beverage if they mess up part of your order. OP, you should have said something. And now you should not go back to that place.