I got Hancuffed & Mouth Taped for refusing to pay a bill and an argument with a waitress? Right to be annoyed?

Question

Right so this might sound crazy but bare with me, last week I was out for a drink and some food with my friend at a well known Italian Bar/Restaurant. We had a few drinks before our food which were okay (The Drinks that is!)

So I ordered a Medium/Rare steak and it was bordering on still being alive and my friend ordered Lasagane which was cold and too creamy. So we refused to pay at which point the waitress takes offense and tries to tell us how the food should be. So I tell her to get "back to washing the tables and we are not paying!" She told us we could not leave until we paid the "bill", I told her she would be waiting a while she then responded with "orange lady you ain't leaving till your bill is settled" I was very angry and threw a drink over her at which point the security woman who was arleady on their way over got between us (Looked like Umaga off WWE) and she was then joined by an "off duty officer" who escorted me to the entrance were my hands were cuffed behind my back until authorities arrived to "deal the dispute". The officer went back to his meal, my friend settled the bill and I am very annoyed at her and again tell the waitress what I think of her (I was making sure the whole place could hear me) as I turn around I have a single piece of tape placed on my lips by the security woman and half the room cheered/appluaded and I had to sit and wait about half an hour for officers to arrive to give me a warning. My friend waited with me for a while and found my predicament amusing (I was sat in the door way with customers in and out like this for half hour) Im so embarassed espeically because the waitress was laughing and grinning over at me, I also got called a "Karen" and am getting mocked daily by friends over it am I right to be annoyed at my friends and staff? and Is it normal to get your mouth taped for shouting/talking at staff? Did I do anything wrong saying I woudnt pay for poor food?

Blackcosmo · Accepted Answer

Yes you can be annoyed but what you did was wrong. The way you treated the waitress was disrespectful and you could've just asked to speak to the manager nicely, not "demand", ask nicely. That was also quite unprofessional of her to insult you, but she did not deserve you spilling a drink on her, which is basically assault. As you can see this whole situation could've been avoided if you acted professionally. I know what you went through was very embarrassing and I'm sorry you had to go through that but I hope it teaches you to not overreact in situations like that in the future.

irmaavila301 · Accepted Answer

I feel like the whole situation got way out of hand. Did you tell the staff that you and your friend were not satisfied with the food? Did you eat the food? I would of guess the first thing to do is ask for warmer food and better cooked before refusing to pay.

BeJames · Accepted Answer

When anyone assaults others in public space (throwing a drink,...) it would be only logical for them to be temporarily detained until the authorities arrive in order to prevent further damage and disturbances of public order.

Furthermore, when someone escalates a conflict (from spoken dispute into a physical assault) nobody can be sure they won't escalate even further and won't hurt anyone.

Finally, even if you were in the right, you should have patiently waited for authorities instead of physically escalating the conflict.

I_Can_Help · Accepted Answer

The most ridiculous part of this entire saga is how the gag people are treating @alexm007 harsher than they would a school shooter.

supercutebutt · Answer

I feel you were right to do what you did. The waitress calling you "orange lady" was rude and unprofessional. In my opinion, the waitress is responsible for how this all turned out. I hope you got her name so you can issue a proper complaint to her manager.

Exterminatore · Answer

In most states in the US, you throwing that drink would constitute battery. That’s where you crossed the line despite the restaurants unhelpful staff.

Also refusing to pay would probably constitute petty larceny in most states or defrauding an innkeeper. Technically you’d have to take them to small claims court if they insisted you pay.

As for the tape over the mouth, I’m fairly certain that’s not ok in any state. A spit hood is one thing. Tape over the mouth is another.

Did this happen in the US?

jasco · Answer

Look you were in the complete wrong for that. While I understand your anger about your food. You don't throw such a temper about it nor do you throw stuff at others, nor do anything that you did. That was completely uncalled for and unjustified. 2nd even tho the food was bad if that is truly how the food is prepared than you really can't say anything. I don't know anything about that restaurant so I can only make assumptions. Still you should have just paid and left, write a review on the restaurants site and never go back

Friendlybro79 · Answer

You can be annoyed but you should look at yourself in the mirror and realize you brought on unnecessary attention to yourself and could be charged with assault and battery technically. So should she be annoyed that you couldn't just ask to speak to the restaurant manager and take the high road?

Take note how many times you find yourself in these kinds of situations as you go on in life and continue the same crappy behavior. Don't be surprised if this isn't the only time you'll find yourself in unnecessarily bad situations.

Did they overreact. Looks like it but we're also only hearing your side. Just stay out of trouble. People are even crazier than you and could do something to cause you more harm.

Subarugirl · Answer

you assaulted her... you're lucky that you didn't get arrested. If you had done that to me I would have taken you to court and prosecuted you to the full extent of the law. I hope you are embarrassed and that you learned your lesson well enough not to ever do something like that again.

Sparkie460 · Answer

If your food wasn't to your liking then why didn't you send it back to be prepared to your liking. That was your first mistake. Second, you ate the food so you have to pay for it. Third, you were loud and obnoxious. You made a scene in the restaurant. They did what they had to do to deescalate the situation. They at least let you stay inside. I would have taken you out by the dumpster and make you wait there for the police.

Guardian45 · Answer

The problem is you crossed the line by pouring a drink on the waitress. That's assault. Security Guard taping your mouth could constitute assault too. The off duty cop handcuffing you is probably legal, especially since you threatened to commit a crime (leave without paying).

Although, it's embarrassing, you got off light. You could have been charged with various misdemeanors. Chalk it up to bad experience and forget about it!

OnTheLevel · Answer

You can't just decide you aren't going to pay. You could have sent your steak back if it wasn't prepared how you requested, but simply deciding you aren't paying is just plain theft. I won't comment on how you were treated, since I learned long ago that there are two sides to every story and I'm pretty certain there are pieces you may have left out or that others may have seen differently.

bean2k21 · Answer

Somebody ought to tape your hands behind your back for coming on GaG.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Disputing the bill is fine.

Pouring a drink on the waitress is simple battery, a misdemeanor in my jurisdiction.

Becoming loud and obnoxious was unnecessary and you were obviously annoying to a majority of the patrons. You are not entitled to ruin the meal for everyone else.

Yes, this was "Karen" behavior and I would have been one of the patrons cheering when your mouth was duct-taped shut.

ShadezMcgee · Answer

No, you were being very rude and that was assault you committed. It's one thing if your food wasn't up to standard and bet if you brought it up tactfully it would have not only been resolved it could have been discounted or covered by the restaurant.

It's better to be called a Karen over an obnoxious twat plus charges and a court date.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

What in the actual fuck Karen? Is it a point of pride to just cause that much shit in public?

Bratsondanielle · Answer

If I was a waitress or an officer in the restaurants and some chick after 16 drinks start acting up I'd have done the same honestly

WhitneySnow · Answer

You probably have the right to sue for the mouth taping thing but tbh based on the reaction of the crowd you’re probably not gonna win

jengeorge26 · Answer

Maybe you should have just walked out, I never heard of that happening? 💃😷

Pohjolan · Answer

I hope this is a troll account. If not I suggest you seek professional help before you become famous as a Oblivion NPC.

IsoUser · Answer

I don't mean to be rude but it. honestly sounds like you had to much to drink and were just being rude and refusing to pay your bill Lmao and Police Officers love those. " Flex Cuffs " LMFAO look at the bright side at least you weren't tasered Rotflmao that would have been way too funny hopefully you've learned your lesson

EaterPeter · Answer

We all have right to be annoyed. What we do with that and how we get treated afterwards that may not be ethical or legal. Were you fully drunk?

joeldalton · Answer

I'll take things that didn't happen for $400, Alex.

I got Hancuffed & Mouth Taped for refusing to pay a bill and an argument with a waitress? Right to be annoyed?

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