TampaBayEats.com

I’ve been to plenty of restaurants and on a couple of occasions have received mediocre food and service. When this occurred, I’ve spoken up to my waiter or a manager about a substandard meal but never expected anything in return. I’ve generally chalked it up to experience and a lesson learned. We live in the United States, a free enterprise economy and each of us is able to make choices as to where we spend our money. But some people seem to have a sense of entitlement.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, there’s no doubt you’ve heard about Ralph Paul, who recently dined at a local restaurant and after ordering dinner, dessert and coffee for him and his girlfriend, walked out on the $46 tab and left a $3 tip for the waiter. If not, you can read the story in the St. Pete Times.According to news reports, Ralph Paul ate the seafood from his seafood pasta dish, then attempted to return the dish to the kitchen and demand it be taken off his check because he was unsatisfied with the portion he received (regardless of the fact that he had already eaten the most expensive part of the dish). When the owner refused to remove the entrée from his bill, Paul and his girlfriend walked out and drove off, after having dessert and coffee, nonetheless. The owner of the restaurant called the police, who arrested Paul and a criminal trial ensued. The result? Paul hired a $500 per hour attorney and was found not guilty! I was not at the restaurant when this incident took place, so I do not know all of the facts. Perhaps Ralph Paul was unsatisfied with his entrée, but after eating the most expensive part of the dish, did he have a right to refuse payment? No. The owner obviously could have taken another route by subtracting the cost the entrée from the bill and following the “customer is always right” mantra, but he didn’t and I respect him for that. The owner has a business to run and cannot afford to give away food on a trial basis. The total cost of the entrée - $15.99. Ralph Paul has enough money to drive a BMW and hire an attorney for $500 an hour; I doubt the restaurant owner enjoys the same luxuries.