MY SISTER AND HER BOYFRIEND DITCHED ME IN A FANCY RESTAURANT WITH A $450 TAB – I TAUGHT THEM A REAL LESSON Last week, my sister invited me to a fancy restaurant. Despite my reminder about the hefty prices, she insisted. So I agreed. Dinner was great. However, when I asked the waiter for separate bills, my sister suddenly excused herself to the bathroom. She didn’t return for quite a while, so her boyfriend went to check on her and also never returned. That’s when I realized they’d ditched me with a $450 tab. Little did they know, I had a lesson of my own to teach them. So, I paid for my portion and gave all the information about my sister to the manager for their portion and then left. The next day, she called me back just furious saying she’d been getting calls from the restaurant asking her to come pay or they’d contact the police. I said I was not surprised since she skipped out on her bill. She said she thought I WAS PAYING the tab since I’ve paid for our dinners in the past. She still demands that I cover the bill because she doesn’t want to return to the restaurant and feel embarrassed there. Our family has gotten involved, and I’m being pressured to just pay the bill. What should I do? What if I don’t and let the restaurant call the police? My decision in the first comment 👇🏻
A woman eagerly anticipated a meal with her recently relocated sister, envisioning a delightful evening together. However, excitement turned to bewilderment when her sister vanished just as the bill was due.
A Long-Awaited Gathering
Thrilled by her sister’s move to a nearby city, the woman, known as Reddit user Wild-Eggplant1780, looked forward to quality time and new adventures. They often shared dreams of activities they could enjoy together.
Having settled nearby, the sister stumbled upon a bustling shopping center boasting diverse shops and restaurants, including an upscale dining establishment renowned for its culinary excellence. While the Redditor cherished visits to this restaurant, its steep prices rendered dinners there rare indulgences, typically reserved for special occasions.
An Unexpected Proposal
When her sister proposed dining at the upscale restaurant, the Redditor hesitated, mindful of the hefty price tag ranging from $200 to $250 per meal. She tactfully suggested more budget-friendly alternatives. However, her sister remained resolute in her desire to experience the luxurious venue.
Despite her reservations, the Redditor relented, eager to share the experience with her husband. Accompanied by her sister’s boyfriend, they anticipated an evening of delectable cuisine and cherished company.
A Startling Vanishing Act
As the dinner drew to a close, the sister excused herself to the restroom, prompting mild concern with her prolonged absence. When the boyfriend went to investigate, neither he nor the sister returned, leaving the Redditor and her husband bewildered and apprehensive.
Baffled and dismayed, the Redditor and her husband embarked on a quest for answers. Their search led to a startling revelation: both the sister and her boyfriend had departed without a word. Attempts to reach the sister via text and call yielded a cryptic message expressing gratitude for the dinner’s excellence.
Feeling blindsided and aggrieved, the Redditor grappled with the betrayal of her sister’s abrupt departure and the unexpected financial burden left in her wake. Despite persistent attempts to communicate and seek explanation, her sister remained unresponsive, shrouding the incident in silence.
Taking Control of the Situation
Confronted with an unsettling predicament, the Redditor resolved to take decisive action. She issued an ultimatum to her sister: return within 30 minutes to settle her portion of the bill, or the Redditor would only cover her own expenses and her husband’s. Any outstanding charges would then become the responsibility of the restaurant.
When her sister failed to return, the Redditor followed through with her plan, informing the restaurant staff and settling only her and her husband’s share of the bill. The next day, her sister was incensed upon receiving calls from the restaurant demanding payment for her outstanding bill.
Diverging Perspectives
The Redditor felt no remorse for her decision, asserting that her sister’s departure left her little choice but to cover her own expenses. Conversely, her sister argued that she had always footed the bill in the past, assuming the same would apply on this occasion. However, the Redditor clarified that previous meals had never exceeded $60, and she had never consented to covering the entirety of the bill.
Despite familial pressure, the Redditor remained steadfast in her refusal to settle her sister’s debt, advising her to address the matter before involving law enforcement.
Reddit’s Supportive Community
Upon seeking advice, the Redditor found a sympathetic audience on Reddit. Many lauded her for standing her ground and not shouldering the burden of her sister’s and her boyfriend’s meals. Some interpreted her sister’s actions as a calculated attempt to exploit a free meal.
Commenters emphasized the etiquette of splitting the bill unless one party explicitly offers to cover expenses. Given that the sister initiated the outing, it was reasonable to expect her to contribute financially.
Others expressed indignation, questioning the sister’s maturity and suggesting a hiatus from dining out or a reassessment of their relationship.
Considering the Broader Context
The Redditor revealed that both she and her sister were in their thirties. She expressed frustration that her sister frequently emphasized financial matters, regarding her more as a source of funds than a sibling. This episode was just one in a series of instances where the Redditor felt unappreciated and reduced to her monetary value.
Ultimately, the Redditor’s choice not to settle her sister’s bill and involve the restaurant proved to be the right course of action. Seeking validation and solidarity, she turned to the Reddit community for advice, finding comfort in the support and understanding of fellow users.
