“Oh, you can’t pay for your food, you work for the restaurant now till you’re paid off!”
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but I think even by the 60’s this scenario would be bizarre if it actually happened.
I did it as recently as 1994… Little bit different situation, I let them know in advance I had no money, but was willing to work for a meal, I didn’t surprise them by ordering first then telling them when I was done… But they did have me eat first before putting me to work. I think that was to see how serious I was- feed me first, then if I’m a bum, they’re only out one meal, but if I’m still willing once I’ve eaten, I’m probably worth trusting with a few basic tasks. It worked out, I ended up staying there a couple days (slept on a couch in their lounge, it was a truck stop so they had showers too) and in addition to a few meals, $50 cash.
What you say is mostly true about big chains like Denny’s, or anywhere near a city, but most rural mom & pop places would at least consider it.
I dunno, I live in a pretty rural area and pretty much every small business would either laugh at that offer or just give you the food for free because they felt sorry for you.
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I did it as recently as 1994… Little bit different situation, I let them know in advance I had no money, but was willing to work for a meal, I didn’t surprise them by ordering first then telling them when I was done… But they did have me eat first before putting me to work. I think that was to see how serious I was- feed me first, then if I’m a bum, they’re only out one meal, but if I’m still willing once I’ve eaten, I’m probably worth trusting with a few basic tasks. It worked out, I ended up staying there a couple days (slept on a couch in their lounge, it was a truck stop so they had showers too) and in addition to a few meals, $50 cash.
What you say is mostly true about big chains like Denny’s, or anywhere near a city, but most rural mom & pop places would at least consider it.
I dunno, I live in a pretty rural area and pretty much every small business would either laugh at that offer or just give you the food for free because they felt sorry for you.