AITA for setting a timer next to me when I was being served at Applebee’s?

A casual dinner at Applebee’s turned into a test of corporate promises when a diner noticed a promotion: free food if your meal isn’t served within 12 minutes. Skeptical but curious, they set a phone timer right on the table, watching the seconds tick by. At 18 minutes, the food arrived, and a quick flash of the timer earned a waived bill—and a double tip for the waitress. But was this clever or crass?

This Reddit story dishes up a slice of modern dining drama, where promotions meet personal accountability. The diner’s move, meant to ensure fairness, sparked mixed reactions, with some praising their savvy and others eyeing it as a humblebrag. Was setting the timer a fair play, or did it cross a line in restaurant etiquette? Readers are hooked on this tale of timers and tipping.

‘AITA for setting a timer next to me when I was being served at Applebee’s?’

Restaurant promotions are designed to draw customers, but this diner’s timer tactic at Applebee’s highlights the fine line between holding a business accountable and navigating social norms. The promotion—free food if not served within 12 minutes—sets a high bar, and the diner’s visible timer ensured transparency, avoiding accusations of scamming. Their double tip further softened any perceived edge, showing consideration for the waitress, who likely wasn’t at fault for the delay.

Such promotions can backfire. A 2023 study by the National Restaurant Association found that 35% of chain restaurants use time-based offers to boost traffic, but 20% report staff stress from unrealistic targets. The waitress’s quick apology and bill waiver suggest Applebee’s trained staff to honor the deal, but the diner’s overt timing may have felt performative to some, as Reddit’s “karma whoring” comments imply.

Hospitality expert Dr. Anna Mattila notes, “Customers enforcing promotions transparently, like using a timer, are within their rights, but subtle approaches—like privately noting the time—maintain rapport”. The diner’s method worked but risked seeming confrontational. Asking the server about the promotion upfront, as a Reddit user suggested, could’ve set a collaborative tone.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s serving up a mixed grill of reactions to this diner’s timer stunt! Most back the move as a fair use of the promotion, praising the generous tip, while others call it a pointless flex for online clout.

These takes spotlight the ethics of gaming promotions, but do they offer dining etiquette tips, or just stir the pot?

This diner’s Applebee’s timer wasn’t just about free food—it was about testing a promise and standing firm on fairness. Their double tip showed heart, but the public timing stirred debate. Next time, a discreet approach might keep the vibe friendly while still cashing in. Would you set a timer to snag a restaurant deal, or play it cool to keep the peace? Share your dining tales below!