
Guy Pretends to Get Stood up on Valentine's to Score Free Food
By Mark PygasFeb. 18 2019, Published 10:19 a.m. ET
We've all been stood up by someone once or twice in our time. And perhaps the worst time to get stood up is on Valentine's Day. But last week, Twitter user Stephen Bonser, also known as @baconflavoring, saw getting stood up as a potential for a free meal.
On Thursday, Stephen decided to go to Outback Steakhouse alone on Valentines Day, with the intention of pretending he was getting stood up on a date, to see whether the restaurant or a fellow diner would actually pay for his dinner.
if I went to Outback Steakhouse by myself tonight and asked for a table for 2, then got progressively sadder as the night went on alone, do you think they’d give me my steak for free?
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 14, 2019
Stephen's plan was to get progressively sadder as the night went on until someone offered to pay. It all began by asking for a table for two...
I just got here. there is a 45 minute wait for a table for 2.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
GOOD THING I CALLED AHEAD!
got my table pic.twitter.com/8KdypncH31
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
“well I remember she said she loves chardonnay so why don’t we start with a glass of that” pic.twitter.com/JthgEouLqS
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
finished the first loaf of bread pic.twitter.com/2BnCMMm2I4
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my love” pic.twitter.com/juSnmtXNmn
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
the second log of bread came. didn’t cut it. took it to the face and finished it in less than 60 seconds. pic.twitter.com/SChl6Rfw4w
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
“hello darkness my old friend” pic.twitter.com/2i6rQS260j
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
i ordered my steak. this dude is walking on EGGSHELLS around me. i’ve never seen someone scoop glassware as smoothly as he took the untouched glass and empty decanter from the table
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Stephen even went as far as recording a fake voice message from his non-existent date.
audio of a fake voicemail I just left in earshot of anyone still at the bar pic.twitter.com/LfIttzT3u6
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
Katherine is a consultant at Deloitte. She lives in Arlington, that’s why I chose this spot.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
We met at the grocery store. We both went for the same bag of shredded cheese.
She seemed so excited for our Valentine’s Day date.
i have started crying.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
10 minutes have gone by. haven’t touched the steak. the restaurant closed 25 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/rA2Ni6kaQt
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
UPDATE: a couple at the bar paid for my meal for me.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
this mission?
SUCCESSFUL.
But to pass on the good will of the couple that paid for his meal, Stephen decided to donate $50 to the American Civil Liberties Union.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
As well as a $20 tip for his server.
Katherine may have just missed out on her future husband.
— Phteven (@baconflavoring) February 15, 2019
thanks for following along y’all - glad I could entertain.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Reactions to the experiment have been mixed. With one user writing:
"Should’ve tipped more [to be honest]. That’s a long time to take up a table on one of the busiest nights of the year (especially considering tips tend to be more generous on Valentine’s Day, too)"
Another user made a similar statement: "This dork probably cost some server a lot of tip money they could have made on other tables on the busiest night of the year for internet likes."
Others were more receptive of the idea. "I feel like you're the hero we don't deserve," a commenter wrote.
Another user added: "Some of you need to loosen up and relax. This guy had a little fun, and used some creativity to gauge the kindness of humanity. I wish more of our youth was this creative. Well done sir!"