# "Veteran Moves" at Restaurants **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882 "2013-01-31T04:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/21 "2013-01-31T15:00:25Z")
Despite having never lived closer than 750 miles from an In and Out Burgers, I was able to work the Secret and SuperSecret menus like a boss, the last time we were in Las Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/22 "2013-01-31T15:04:25Z")
I use this thing called the “crinkle and twinkle” with my eyes. I used to get chicks with it, but now I’ve struck pure gold with restaurant waitstaff. You wouldn’t _believe_ how much free bread I get. Sometimes they even ask if I want MORE! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/23 "2013-01-31T15:37:12Z")
I often order the 6-nugget kids meal from Chik-fil-A for lunch. You can turn in your toy and get a small ice cream. StG ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/24 "2013-01-31T16:49:31Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Mcdonald’s used to have an All American Meal that they didn’t advertise: regular cheeseburger, small fries, small drink. Don’t know if they still do that as I am hooked on Filet 'O Fish these days. Now why’d you have to go an mention Filet-o-Fishes? Now I desperately want one. Dammit. My son worked at a McDonald’s - and you know what? He told me that they’ll drop fresh fries for you if you ask them to. No more half cold half dead fries for ME! ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/25 "2013-01-31T16:57:46Z")
I used to go to Subway when they had those stamp cards and they would give me not 1 or 2 stamps, but dozens!! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/26 "2013-01-31T16:59:12Z")
I frequently order a SHORT drink at Starbucks . . . and have them put it in my grande-size travel cup. Five-cent discount, bitches! ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/27 "2013-01-31T17:02:36Z")
This whole thread smacks of the Starbucks crowd’s fetish for faux hipsterism and exclusivity. Every time I see or hear some SB’er use thirty-five words to order an item, it reminds me of the first diner scene in “When Harry Met Sally” and I have the irrepressible urge to mumble, “Number three, thanks.” Which would be coffee, black, in a cup. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/28 "2013-01-31T17:05:24Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > I used to go to Subway when they had those stamp cards and they would give me not 1 or 2 stamps, but dozens!! :dubious: IIRC, it was like 6 stamps (maybe 12) for one free foot-long. Why would they “give you” dozens? Unless I’m thinking of a different Subway stamp program… ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/29 "2013-01-31T17:47:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > At a local Chinese restaurant, I order the eggplant special with tofu (the menu offers chicken, beef, or pork). A new cashier will run to the kitchen to see if it is ok. The owner will yell out, “Hey, kayaker!”. I do that here at our little local chinese place. I love General Tso’s Tofu. Near as I can figure I am the only person who eats tofu in my town, I have seen them have to run out to the grocery next door to get a brick of tofu:smack: I also get it where it is half broccoli instead of a few decorative florettes and brown rice 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/30 "2013-01-31T19:22:13Z")
This one time [I asked him for water, he gave me gasoline.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fR5Us5pK6U) ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/31 "2013-01-31T19:40:40Z")
> [@hrhomer](#): > > :dubious: > > IIRC, it was like 6 stamps (maybe 12) for one free foot-long. Why would they “give you” dozens? > > Unless I’m thinking of a different Subway stamp program… You do know you can have more than one stamp card at a time right? Plus I knew most of the people that worked there and they would just spin the little wheel on the stamp dispenser a couple of times and give me how ever many stamps came out. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/32 "2013-01-31T21:10:07Z")
I can top all this. There have been times when a server pointed me towards one table…and I asked if a different one was available…and they said “Yes!”. Who knew that you could request a booth instead of a table or a table near the window or something? Clearly, I am so smooth you could spread me on toast. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/33 "2013-01-31T21:14:15Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > There’s a lot of snark in this thread, but you _can_ go to Popeyes/KFC about 1-5 minutes before closing and ask them if they have any “late night offers”. Many times you can get extra chicken as they’re just going to throw it out anyway. Better yet, go a few minutes _after_ closing and wait outside by the dumpster. You may not be able to look at yourself in the mirror the next morning, but hey. _Free chicken_, bro. Can’t put a price on that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/34 "2013-01-31T21:19:42Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Plus I knew most of the people that worked there and they would just spin the little wheel on the stamp dispenser a couple of times and give me how ever many stamps came out. Thank you. This isn’t a “Veteran Move,” or anything other than pilferage by your friend. Not that I was any different as a kid working at 7-11. Just wanted to coax the truth out of you. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/35 "2013-01-31T21:27:03Z")
Whenever I go into a restaurant, I don’t even have to tell them what I want. I just stare at them and they telepathically know it. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/36 "2013-01-31T21:27:15Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Now why’d you have to go an mention Filet-o-Fishes? Now I desperately want one. Dammit. > > My son worked at a McDonald’s - and you know what? He told me that they’ll drop fresh fries for you if you ask them to. No more half cold half dead fries for ME! I worked at McDonalds as a wee lad and can confirm the above. Also you can ask for no salt on your fries and you’ll get a fresh batch as well. Most people like the salt so the frie person automatically salts every batch. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/37 "2013-01-31T21:28:46Z")
I knew most of the people that worked there and they would just spin the little wheel on the stamp dispenser a couple of times and give me how ever many stamps came out. I see hrhomer beat me to it. It is actually more than pilferage by his friend, by accepting the extra “stamps”, the poster conspired with the thieving employees to steal from the restaurant. I was different from this. Before I was old enough to have a job (and my first job was as an office boy at a local newspaper making 33 cents an hour at age 11) I knew it was wrong to steal. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/38 "2013-01-31T21:30:33Z")
I’m a freakin’ restaurant ninja. I was once in a place for breakfast, and ordered a decaf. Since they only have one coffee pot in the place, they usually never have it. But that morning the waitress left the place, went next door to the bodega, bought a can of decaf, came back, and brewed a pot just for me. More recently, I took my GF to a lounge where we could sit on a couch and snuggle while we ate. But there was a lamp above us that must have been putting out a billion watts. It was like that episode of Star Trek, Dagger of the Mind. And it put way too much attention on us. We flouted the conventions of polite society, and turned it off. We got thanked by a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/39 "2013-01-31T21:32:46Z")
“Also you can ask for no salt on your fries and you’ll get a fresh batch as well. Most people like the salt so the frie person automatically salts every batch” In the wayback, when I would go to fast fooderies, I had a friend who would do this (also ask for his burgers plain so they would be fresh made.) Really kind of defeated the purpose of fast food as we would wait and wait for the food to be prepared fresh. The rest of us in the crowd found him to be as big a pain as the workers no doubt did. ---
**Author:** ![Roadfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/40 "2013-01-31T21:41:30Z")
Arby’s, before they added all their “market fresh” stuff, had something called an “Arby-Q”. Now, it’s not listed on the menu anymore. But with my Obi-Wan-like powers of persuasion, I can walk in, look the person behind the cash register straight in the eye and say, “An Arby-Q, please” and they make it for me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882.md?page=3)