Instead of paying, she ordered dessert and called the manager — a former student of hers who now ran the place. Together, they contacted my in-laws, informing them that they had 15 minutes to return or the police would be called for dine-and-dash.
They rushed back, furious and humiliated — and were charged an extra 25% inconvenience fee.
From then on, my in-laws always made it clear: “We’re paying separately tonight.”
Lesson learned.