Why Did Obama Have To Pay For His Meal In That Nyc Restaurant Where His Personal Credit Card Was

Did you know that President Obama's credit card was declined at a restaurant? Why would it get declined? See the link that gives credit to this story.

Credit card charges can be denied for numerous reasons that have nothing to do with underlying credit issues. For instance, I once had a credit card declined and asked the merchant to call the issuer to ask why. My bank said they declined the card for security reasons because it was used in two different states on the same day. They suspected someone stole the number.I explained to them that I in fact did use the card on the same day in two different states because I had just gotten off an airplane. They then confirmed my identity and put the charge through.In many states in the United States the issuer is responsible for most fraudulent charges on a credit card, not the owner of the card. As a result the issuer is quick to protect itself by challenging a charge that trips its security system. Usually that can be resolved, as mine was, with a phone call. Often it’s just easier to give the merchant another card and figure out the problem with the issuer in private.

Did you ever have a restaurant meal “on the house”? What was the reason?

Did you ever have a restaurant meal “on the house”? What was the reason?Back in ‘86, my husband and I, along with another couple, were touring around the southern tip of South Africa on motorbike. We were going down the Garden Route to Sedgefield, where we had prebooked two chalets for five nights. Between Knysna and Sedgefield, we passed a likely looking restaurant, across the road from the Indian Ocean. The name of the place was, The Log Cabin.After stowing our pannier boxes and freshening up, we returned to the restaurant for our evening meal. The purr of our twin bikes naturally heralded our arrival, and the proprietor came to see who the riders were.After perusing the menu, we all decided on calamari steaks. None of us had eaten calamari steaks before, so we were inquisitive to try them. They were tasty, and tender.Halfway through the meal, the proprietor came over to inquire if everything was to our satisfaction - it was! We started chatting, and discovered that the bloke was from Johannesburg, in the Transvaal, (Remember, this was still the “old” South Africa.) not too far from where we lived.The meal, service and prices were so good that we decided to eat there every evening for the next four days.On our last evening, we told the bloke this would be the last time we would be dining there. We went to town, ordering an extra bottle of wine, plus dessert. We invited the fellow to join us for a drink, and the five of us spent a good part of three hours, drinking wine and chatting amicably.It was getting late, and all other customers had already left. We got up to leave, saying we had a long way to ride the following day, and went to pay our bill. The proprietor would have none of it, declaring that it was on the house. We tried to argue, knowing that we had run up quite a sizable bill on this last night. He wouldn’t hear of it, saying all he asked was that we tell our friends about his establishment. We promised that we would.

Why does President Obama have to pay for his meals at the White House?

Here’s the answer as best as I know it: Technically, the president doesn't have to pay for his meals at the White House. I say that because there is no law that requires it. So, how did it start?John Adams was the first president to move into the White House (the partially unfinished White House, actually). Since there was no staff, Adams brought his own staff, obtained his own food, drink etc. Over the years, staff has been added to take care of the White House and help the First Family, but the presidents kept paying for their own food, drinks, toiletries, etc.If you talk to anyone that has worked in a large organization for many years and you ask them why something is done the way it’s done, chances are the answer will be, “because we’ve always done it this way.” Presidents pay for their own meals at the White House because they’ve always done it that way.EDIT: After reading comments posted on this answer, I should add some additional information: I am neither clairvoyant, nor own a crystal ball, so I am not able to predict how Donald Trump will change this, or not, once he is living in the White House. Neither can anyone else.All I can say is that this has been the way it’s handled since John Adams lived in the White House.

What do high-end restaurants do if a credit card is declined at the end of a meal?

Technically, I don’t qualify to answer, because my card was not declined, but bear with me and you will get my drift.My wife was out of the city for a few days and I was babysitting my three daughters. The little devils had their poor father wrapped around their little fingers. Mom not round - lets paaaarty. Every day, they wanted to eat out.One day, I decided to try out a new place, called Windmill, which had good reviews and seemed like a decent restaurant. It offered a huge variety of food laid out on a buffet table, live BBQ, Frying Station, Pasta Station - the works.The food was just OK, but the little girls really enjoyed the lively & carnival like atmosphere, complete with cotton candy, freshly squeezed juices, ices and a clown.The bill came and I reached into my pocket. Woebegone. No wallet.15 years of married life had turned me into a lazy slob and I had become heavily dependent on my (truly) better half to function like a normal human being. That particular night, she was not around to remind me and I had left my wallet on the table, at home.I tried to stay calm and composed, but even though they were little girls, female intuition told my daughters that something was wrong.I asked to see the floor manager. The bill was pretty hefty and I was embarassed to share my dilemma with him.My eyes to the floor, fearing for the worst & having visions of self doing dirty dishes in the kitchen, I explained and asked him to send someone with me to my house, to get the payment.Contrary to all expectations, he smiled sweetly and asked me not to worry and drop the money whenever I pass by the area “next time”. Remember, he was NOT the owner, but just a manager.I got into the car, sped home, took my wallet (checked its content for sufficient cash, to be sure) and went back. The manager saw me entering and rushed towards me. He half rebuked me, saying, “Sir, you did not have to come so soon. I had told you that you could drop the money when you pass by this area, the next time”.I thanked him for his trust and paid the bill. Needless to say that they probably got the biggest tip of the evening.Edit: On a more serious note - It has been quite a while since that happened and my youngest one is now a young woman in her early 20’s, but she apparently can’t forget that night and still reminds me to check my wallet, every time we go out.

What should you do if a restaurant manager politely asks you to leave after dining for two hours because other customers are waiting for your table?

Take the hint.I was within a party of nine arriving just before sunset at an upscale restaurant. Well-trained polite servers all share in elevating the dining experience. Food is amazing. A bartender can make anything you desire. Fresh baked bread is always within reach. Non-alcoholic beverage glasses are never empty. Ambiance is elegant. A frugal couple could dine for around $50 USD but with drinks and dessert, a meal for two could easily triple that.It took 20 minutes for our gabby dinner group to decide what to order. Within 30 minutes we were served by a flurry of hands. We nursed the meal and conversation for an hour more. Our server asked if anything else was needed. Five desserts and coffee were ordered and served promptly. This extended our stay at least another 30 minutes. Without asking for coffee refills, the bill was delivered. We paid and tipped the servers.While still talking and laughing, empty plates, and utensils were appreciatively cleared. Oblivious to our surroundings, servers quietly removed bread baskets. During extended conversation, water glasses and coffee cups then were taken away. Then the condiments vanished. Our table was completely empty but most were enjoying conversation so much, they didn’t take the hint.Ever so slowly, the lights began dimming just over our table, until we were in total darkness. The servers were too polite to tell us we had overstayed our welcome. When I noticed other tables remained well-lit, the signal became obvious. Interrupting the conversation, I said, “Perhaps we should go.” As we piled out, a hostess opened the exit door for us to push our way through the line of people waiting for tables.This experience is far different from less expensive restaurants where the server or manager simply announces the table is required for another party.

What are some stories of people walking out of restaurants without paying for their meal?

My only time to walk out of restaurant without paying for meal is at a restaurant in Marseille, whilst travelling in France. The restaurant owner (or manager) called out to me and my friends, and was very friendly initially. We were given the menu in English (so we know exactly what we ordered). The experience was pleasant until the food was served and it was obvious that they got my order wrong. I ordered seafood, but what was served to me is a large plate of ham and cheese salad. I immediately told the waiter, who became sullen and moody, and suddenly lost his skill to converse in English. He told me I was wrong, repeatedly, and when I showed him the menu to correct him, he took the food away and said he would ask the cook to make the correct order. (Managed the entire conversation with my poor secondary school level French.)I figured that would be the end of it. But then an hour passed, and my food never came. When I flagged down the waiter to ask about where my food is, he rolled his eyes and said dismissively that the cook is very busy. By then, all of my friends have finished eating their food about 20 minutes ago. Seeing no reason for waiting for my food to come, I asked whether it's possible to cancel the order and get the bill. (Note how we are still perfectly happy to pay for the bill.) The waiter then disappeared. Leaving my friends and I to wait for the bill for another forty minutes. When I tried to call the waiter over, he would ignore me. I then saw the waiter speaking to the owner (who called out to us in the first place), who pointed at me, and gave a very exaggerated act about what had happened. After that, we tried to speak to the owner. He decided that he will no longer talk to us in English, and started yelling very rude French words at us. All the time we were asking whether it is possible to get the bill (in both English and French). We just want to pay and leave! But no matter how long we wait, or tried to talk to anyone in the restaurant, we were ignored or dismissed. In the end we all got so fed up with the entire deal, that we just stood up and left. We made a reasonable effort to try and pay the owners, who decided to avoid us for nearly two hours. To this day I still don't understand why the entire restaurant was so rude to us!

Have you ever been to an upscale restaurant and had to leave because the food was so bad?

Yes, unfortunately, I have sent back food at upscale restaurants. I used to be “that" guy.In fact, I got paid to eat, and eat very well I did.The most unfortunate experience, was at one of “our” own. I was compensated to eat, drink, whatever I wanted, and paid nicely, to grade my experience at our stores.A mystery shopper of a sorts, I could order anything I wanted: escargot, steaks, prime rib, lobster, fresh fish. The finest top shelf drinks.Dessert.I could go alone, or with up to six. Not bad, but “dinner” could be 8 hrs of driving. Not as many “takers" as you might guess.A good gig nonetheless.But, the most memorable experience? I virtually sent back everything, but the salads from the salad bar.The appetizers were stone cold, the waitress exceptionally poor (tip was a mandatory 20+%), my medium rare filet was shoe leather well-done? What happened here? My partner's drink was horrible.The dessert was served a la mode. The ice cream was freezer burned…gross, gross gross.It should have never been used - not passing the sniff or eye test of wholesomeness.The presentation was so bad, for a minute I really thought “I" might be getting punked.Was my cover “blown" and am I getting purposely served “crap" and everyone will have a hearty chuckle at my expense?I looked around, it was uniformly horrible.That was the unfortunate part. I walked out, comped, with no need to submit reimbursement, and my review was candid.That alone had never been done before, a giant Black Flag, heads were going to roll.Line item “F's". Never, ever had a store received Fs.The VP called me two days later.“Dave, was this an isolated incident?” (No, everyone was unhappy…I think I said no, f'ing pissed…a former Navy Captain he spoke that way too.). “I want you to go up to OKC, plan on staying there for “awhile"". “Awhile?” I thought, the way he said it was unsettling. Man, this bunch is almost as bad as a new store opening. It was.The VP was generous, and gave me a skeleton crew, a bartender, two prep/line cooks, and a couple great waiters/waitresses, and a newly promoted manager that was excellent.With only a core of seven great people, some good new hires, and lots of retraining, that store turned around fairly quickly. Seems like only four weeks, about the same as a new store opening.Several managers were shifted over. Heads rolled in management as well.Voila, a great restaurant!