Some do it for the excitement, some do it to be bad and others are simply broke and hungry. It might seem like no harm to do it, but the waiter or waitress then has to pay for the stolen meal.

Kids who have ‘dined and dashed’ seem to have done it for the same reason, because they are hungry and have no money to pay for that meal. As told by one anonymous South student, “I didn’t have money and I was very hungry so I did it. Later I felt guilty because I stole, and if I were to do it again I would at least leave a tip for the waitress.”

Another student said, “I have done it once or twice. When I order and it is like sixteen dollars I give them half the money and leave, or I don’t pay anything. I’m broke and plus they charge more than it’s worth. I never get caught so I don’t know why I wouldn’t try it again.”

Sophomore Mubaarak Mohamed, on the other hand, feels differently. “I have never dined and dashed and I probably never will. It’s all about Karma, if I steal then bad things will happen to me. I once stole a pencil from my teacher, and the next day I had my backpack stolen and that pencil,” said Mohamed, “If someone thought they had money, but didn’t so they dined and dashed I wouldn’t think bad of them. When someone plans on stealing food then that’s bad.”

Bobby Miller, a waiter at Denny’s, has a first hand experience of dine and dash, and he knows how often it happens. “If there is no host or cashier working then I am in charge of maintaining the restaurant. Sometimes customers will try to leave without paying and I can’t really do much, but if I catch them before they leave we will call the cops and file a report,” said Miller.

Miller said it happens more during overnight shifts, when there are less people working in the restaurant. People who leave without paying for their food hurts restaurants financially.  Miller explained: “People who dine and dash usually order a more expensive meal since they won’t be paying for it.”