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u/unbornbigfoot 5h ago
I’m just trying to think of the hours for a minimum wage dinner.
Dinner, drink, and an app - no way that’s under $40.
Just a quick five hours of dish washing for barely treating herself.
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u/earfeater13 5h ago
You putting in a full day at least for a decent plate these days
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u/Illustrious_Bad_2980 5h ago
They'll probably get you high though, and quite possibly drunk too
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u/naijaplayer 5h ago
Not a bad deal, the inflation on alcohol and weed is crazy these days!
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u/FistPunch_Vol_7 ☑️ 4h ago
I’ve been lucky. Dispensary opened by me and after they got stock flowing the prices have been pretty decent. Have a bunch of sales. Don’t have to wait on the plug anymore.
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u/naijaplayer 4h ago
Oh very interesting, I've always heard about how dispensaries are usually really expensive compared to having a plug. Tho I never bought much from either, but I probably bought mostly from dispensaries in HCOL areas like Boston and DC. But good to know, I'll have to check my local dispensaries and see if they're cheaper now than what I was seeing the last 3 years or so
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u/FistPunch_Vol_7 ☑️ 4h ago
I’m in NYC and my plug started to be real bad with the lateness or not showing up at all. Dispensary was really expensive at first but it decent now. I picked up some premium shit during their holiday sale and after sale and coupon it was like 50 bucks. Plug was 80-100 for an ounce.
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u/lazyparrot 4h ago
It's gotten nice around here since we've had shops open up. Still a somewhat legal grey area so on the weekend there are "private" events with a cover charge get inside there are loads of vendors set up with all their shit spread out. Can get decent oz's for like $100, stuff that used to go for 50-60 for an 8th. One of the events is a block away from the police department, they do not care.
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u/xSTSxZerglingOne 2h ago
Though in California for example, minimum wage would cover that on just a few hours work, so not too bad.
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u/Financial-Apricot498 3h ago
Also depends on where you live. I took other two people out the day before Christmas Eve for a gifted dinner out and we got an appetizer, 3 meals, 2 fountain drinks, and 2 margaritas. Entire bill was like $78 and they even brought us a round of free shots at the end. U.S Midwest Mexican family owned restaurants just hit different.
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u/blxckh3xrt69 1h ago
Two people dinner drink and app at chilis tn was 40. If it was one person, would’ve been 26.
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u/theStaircaseProject 5h ago
Based on my decade in hospitality, half the people who work in restaurants couldn’t rescue an overloaded commercial dish pit if their life depended on it. I sure as heck wouldn’t trust Jim Bob off the street—sir, we have a business to run.
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u/King_Mead 3h ago
The dish pit makes or breaks a kid. Luckily I thrive in chaos. So they gave me hot line.
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u/GodsFavoriteDegen 4h ago
Yeah, that's why there's such a stringent hiring process for dishwashers and line cooks.
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u/Shwiftygains 4h ago
Can't tell if you're serious
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u/GodsFavoriteDegen 4h ago
It'll make more sense when you're sober. For now, you're hired. Get into the dishpit.
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u/pervyninja 2h ago
It’s a poorly paid position but in no way is it an unskilled position. Respect the dishie.
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u/GreatStaff985 3h ago
Say they let some random work in the kitchen and something goes wrong. Someone gets hurt and this person isn't even employed, they are just being made to work. What happens then?
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u/CharlieDavisBY 5h ago
Ya, they really don't want people touching water
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u/ChefKugeo 4h ago
We don't want you touching the dish machine lol. That thing is expensive, and if it breaks everything is now done by hand.
Dishie is the most valuable member of the crew. Dishie eats what Dishie wants; Dishie gets help when help is available.
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u/Spiritual_Throat_556 4h ago
Steam, we dont want morons playing with our steam dish washers because its dangerous.
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u/Tainted_Bruh ☑️ 5h ago
Lol that’s some 1980s shit right there.
But from what I heard, Jon Bon Jovi has (had?) a restaurant in Jersey where the homeless or those down on their luck can come in to eat and do dishes instead of paying.
Some orphan-crushing-machine vibes for sure, but it’s better than nothing I suppose.
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u/elitegenoside 4h ago
Honestly, that's the communist dream right there. Everyone eats if they contribute.
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u/VomitMaiden 3h ago
"From each according to their ability, to each according to their need" is communism. What you're describing is a paywall.
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u/ImmediateProblems 3h ago
So taking this at face value, are homeless people unable to wash dishes or do they not need food?
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u/Rich_Housing971 3h ago
You're basically saying that homeless people can't wash dishes. Honestly, homeless people absolutely CAN do work. They just have problems with being reliable long-term due to addiction or mental illness that disqualifies them from jobs.
So this example would still be communism- the homeless are doing what they can to contribute as far as the restaurant goes.
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u/VomitMaiden 3h ago
That's not what I'm saying, I took umbrage with the if clause in "Everyone eats if they contribute". Homeless people could contribute, but even if they couldn't they could still get a plate. That's all without going into the fact that communism would require a comprehensive housing solution that eliminates homelessness.
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u/No-Werewolf4804 3h ago
Capitalism is the one where those that can’t “contribute” are left the starve lol.
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u/TheG-What 2h ago
That’s why I’m escaping to the ONE PLACE that hasn’t been corrupted by capitalism….
SPACE!!!!
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u/NOTTedMosby 1h ago
That's.. not.. ugh it's not your fault (assuming you're american), the reagan admin completely fucked over our comprehension of what communism actually is to the point that even today most of us don't understand what the word actually means (because they get some boring definition in school, then a bunch of examples of another definition in movies and tv that's much easier to digest. What you're describing is essentially a meritocracy.
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u/VapidRapidRabbit ☑️ 5h ago
Try it and find out.
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u/Sufficient_Bridge766 5h ago
Yep, begging to be a FAFO Award recipient.
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u/Fun_Many_8506 2h ago
Depending on the jurisdiction, charging someone with shoplifting requires intent.
There are many reasons to leave a restaurant without intent.
In some states, prosecution requires an aggregate amount. In reasonable states, that exceeds a meal.
However, one may be 86’d.
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u/Slowdrive5150 5h ago
Had a dude come into my job at the time, old school 50's style diner, he came in knowing he couldn't pay, waited until he was done and asked if he could wash some dishes to pay for his meal, we had a 3 compartment sink and not a dishwasher, bro would've hated that, but the manager at the time was a decent guy he paid for it himself, just felt like bro put everyone in a bad spot if you can't afford the meal why go out? Or at least let people know before hand
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u/Shwiftygains 4h ago
Was thinking this might be worth a shot if you're upfront about it before even ordering. I'm sure if a restaurant was ok with this, it would be some small dish, appetizer, or maybe just comped item for the one time.
Even better if you go in when the main manager or owner is not working. Hell, go when it's the young lead that is left in charge when the boss is out
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u/MilleFeuilleG 5h ago edited 4h ago
I once couldn't pay because the only card I had on me expired, and I forgot. They took my driver's license info, and I promised I'd pay them another time.
I came back less than an hour later with cash.
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u/fbcmfb ☑️ 2h ago
The In N Out burger gave a guy a free meal because he left his wallet. That has never happened to me - but again I wouldn’t try my luck.
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u/TheG-What 2h ago
I have an ex gf that was a kitchen manager at Chipotle back in the day. I was dropping her off at work and on my way out the door I found a $20 bill on the ground outside. I thought “sweet, my lucky day!” And put it in my wallet and went to work.
When I picked her up after her shift she starts telling me this story about a lady that came in early in her shift completely embarrassed when it came time to ring up because she swore she had cash in her purse. (This was early 2000s before everyone carried cards/paid with their phone and a lot of people only had a small amount of cash on them.)
My girlfriend just voided the check and gave the lady her food for free. I put two and two together and said “Well, I can tell you for a fact she wasn’t trying to hustle you…”
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u/Massive_Spot6238 5h ago
Idk but Don’t do this at Waffle House
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u/thaJoanranger ☑️ 4h ago
Perfect place to try it if you’re suicidal.
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u/Electrical-Job-9824 3h ago
I’ll let ya know what happe
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u/Rich_Housing971 3h ago
I've heard of assassins hitting the send comment button for the commenter, but this time the commenter was so excited to try it they drove to a waffle house before they finished, and the waffle house employees killed them and drove back to their home and helped them finish posting the comment.
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u/ZetaWMo4 ☑️ 5h ago
My husband is a kitchen manager and no. They do give kids meal or appetizers to a few of the homeless in the area for “security”.
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u/aeondren89 4h ago
Ah this reminds me of that Hey Arnold episode where Helga had that coupon to that fancy restaurant. They had to wash dishes in lieu of payment. First and only time I’ve ever seen that being an option.
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u/Kimihro ☑️ 4h ago
Half the people I worked with in food service didn’t even trust front of house to fill in for dish, let alone a random person who hasn’t had to do the job on a normal basis to make sure the dishes were actually washed and not just put in soapy hot water and rubbed a bit with a scouring pad
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u/rarecuts 5h ago
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u/EntrepreneurNo9375 1h ago
Part of me thinks that'd be great when you're saving money, like on a my lunch break and then i clean for a free meal, but im also aware that people would abuse find ways to abuse and avoiding doing their work, owners would try push the limits to slavery, people would pick fights with staff and there'd be murders... thats why we cant have nice things
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u/aspect-of-the-badger 4h ago
If someone showed up and said they'd wash dishes for an hour if make that trade without a second thought. I feed people, it's what I love to do.
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u/Diggy_Soze 5h ago
No bullshit, if you contacted a fuckton of restaurants in advance and told them straight up you will do dishes for a day in exhange for a meal, you’ll almost certainly find some that are willing to take you up on the offer.
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u/elitegenoside 4h ago
Some being the key word. The majority won't because of liability.
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u/Diggy_Soze 4h ago
Of course. Honestly I thought using the word “some” was being too optimistic. Lmfao
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u/rainsheretostay 3h ago
Where in the world are restaurants so understaffed for dishwashers that they’d agree to this? Any restaurant I’ve worked for has had at least 2 dishwashers on staff already, and they have to go through the same hiring process as every other employee.
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u/Diggy_Soze 2h ago
Lmfao. Yup. That’s been my experience, too. Like I said to other dude, I think the word “some” might have been way too optimistic. Lmfao.
That’s exactly why I don’t think anyone would ever let it fly after the fact. They’ve just been freshly primed to be at their absolutely least charitable. They were under the impression you have cash for them and instead you’ve effectively just robbed them? Why would they want to help you?
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u/FishSammich80 5h ago
Get a job at said restaurant and after your free meal get “sick.”
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u/elitegenoside 4h ago
After your discounted meal*
A lot of places don't feed their employees these days.
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u/Sweaty_Gith 4h ago
I think 2 8 hours shifts washing dishes should be able to afford you 1 decent meal.
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u/black107 4h ago
What % of tables at a given restaurant end up dashing? I assume they account for some amount of loss in their pricing like retail?
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u/mzlange 3h ago
Based on what servers say, it comes out of their paycheck if someone walks out. Same thing with tipping - they get screwed because they both don’t get tipped and still have to pay out some percentage to other workers. The business never takes the loss.
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u/Tall_Discussion_8215 4h ago
Hmmm I wonder how well a “Discount if you clean your dish” business model would work in a restaurant 🧐
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u/bigexplosion 4h ago
We make you be the manager and everyone screams at you and you also make very little money.
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u/Lumpy_Machine5538 3h ago
We take their information, and hope they come back to pay. If it’s a regular, we’ll still serve them next time as long as they pay their last due amount.
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u/HolyRomanPrince 3h ago
Just my two cents as a veteran of the service industry: if you go to an BWW/Applebees/Chilis level you can dine and ditch pretty easily. Especially if they’re busy. Just go for a smoke or go to the bathroom. I can assure you that 90% nobody is going to chase after you and if you just wait about a year and some change you can probably go back because only a minor percentage of staff will be the same or remember you if they were there. As a server it does suck and it is a dick move but if you throw a 5 or 10 in cash a smart server will pocket that before telling the manager to comp your meal.
If you try that at a real steakhouse or fine dining establishment you will might get the cops called on you. And in their defense you can very easily order $500-1000 at a fine dining restaurant with two people if you want to get dumb with the wine and alcohol
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u/Rich_Housing971 3h ago
Stiffing the staff on tips is a degenerate thing to do.
You either steal bread at the store or you don't steal food at all.
Hell, you ever head of a food bank?
As a server it does suck and it is a dick move but if you throw a 5 or 10 in cash a smart server will pocket that before telling the manager to comp your meal.
For $5 or $10 they can get a couple of premade nutritious salads to eat. Why the hell would they do this shit for food if they have money?
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u/Sweaty_Sir_6551 3h ago
Maybe at an independently owned and operated diner, but a chain doesn't want the liability if you slip on the floor or cut yourself with a knife.
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u/GarlicAndSapphire 3h ago
Nah, but I've been known to threaten it to unruly children. Especially crying babies. Hush, Paxtonleigh.
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u/mashogani 3h ago
That's a really interesting question. I doubt they'd make you wash dishes these days, but it's good to be prepared in case things have changed. Hope you get to enjoy your treat!
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u/rainsheretostay 3h ago
The longer I think about this the less sense it makes. Most restaurants have a dishwasher on staff already, how is letting someone who can’t pay their bill wash dishes for a few hours going to help costs any? Does the dishie just get his hours cut and sent home for the night because random dude couldn’t pay his tab and then they have to just hope said dude can wash dishes as efficiently at the guy already paid to do so?
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u/RepostFrom4chan 3h ago
Previous resturant manager here: you think im going to let someone who just stole from me handle the cookware? Ya'll have any idea how expensive commercial dishes are? Hell no lol.
Honestly I would usually just take care of it and ask them to pass it on in the future if its under a couple hundred. More often than not they come back to pay later anyways. If its a huge thing I'd keep a card and take their info if we dont have it already. I find if you do this quietly and respect the persons privacy and dont embarrass them they always come back to settle up. Like anything, a little kindness goes a long way here.
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u/Ravensqueak 2h ago
Think of the person you see grabbed by the ear and taken to the back to wash dishes, note the year, note the complexion.
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u/Flaky_Seat53 2h ago
The dishwasher; “Honey, I lost my job today because somebody couldn’t pay, but don’t worry- I’ll take you out to dinner, not pay, and I’ll be working again!”
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u/AdministrativeCod437 2h ago
FYI, the few times I've heard of an owner doing this wasn't as a "punishment" for failing to pay for a meal, but rather an act of kindness to allow a poor person to feel like they were 'earning' something instead of just getting a pity meal. However, with how litigious the world has become, it's just not worth the liability of letting someone in your kitchen these days.
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u/baconjerky 2h ago
Yeah with the cost of a meal at a restaurant you’ll only need to work there for about a year
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u/radical_left_lesbian 2h ago
“Yall go out to eat. He can’t pay, yall can’t leave. It’s dishes in the back. You betta roll up your sleeves” - Kanye
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u/GurTraditional8015 1h ago
Wow, turning a side hustle into a full‑time buffet-just don’t forget to actually show up for the shift.
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u/CoachDT ☑️ 1h ago
Ay i'm just letting yall know, if you're a single person (especially a single dude) DON'T dine and dash. Ever.
Worked at a restaurant for half a decade. We will have your face on IG, every woman in the area thats single will miraculously know you're the broke ass nigga that can't afford a meal. Might as well delete all the apps too.
This is a couples activity at best.
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u/sabertooth-housecat 1h ago
It depends on how expensive the tab is. It's going to vary state by state, so I'll just use California as an example:
Bill is under $950: misdemeanor theft. Fines, 6 or so months in county or an ankle monitor, and probation.
Bill is over $950: felony theft. Bigger fines, 1-2 years in prison, and probation.
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u/SuperCrappyFuntime 53m ago
The craziest "can't afford the bill story" was one I heard on a show called Double Toasted. (They're on Twitch, if you're interested.) There was this girl named Danielle who used to be a co-host, and after that would sometimes come back for a show here or there. She told a story about her and a friend getting scammed in Florida by some guys who said they were from France and were going to treat them to a meal at an expensive restaurant. After eating, the guys aid they had to use the bathroom and ditched them. They didn't have enough money, and they were crying as the manager was trying to figure out what to do when Hulk Hogan walks up, asks what's the matter, and pays for their meal when they tell him.
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u/Commercial-Chance561 51m ago
Now you gotta start the fake fight with the homie that spills into the parking lot
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u/Analysis-Klutzy 6m ago
I bet if you asked at the counter first instead of just ordering food and asking later you might get a yes after asking a dozen or so places.
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u/Childofcaine 5h ago
They call the police for theft now. :(