My Greedy Father-in-Law Put a Hair in an Expensive Dish to Get It for Free—but Karma Got Him Immediately

Frank had always prided himself on his sneaky tactics to get freebies, but his luck ran out at a high-end restaurant. What began as a simple meal turned into a public spectacle when karma finally caught up with him, teaching him a lesson he never saw coming.

My father-in-law, Frank, has always been one of those people who never miss an opportunity to scam others for their own benefit.

Ive witnessed him do that multiple times, but I never thought Id see the day when his tricks would backfire so spectacularly, leaving him red-faced and scrambling for an exit.

A close-up shot of an older man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

Ive known Frank for about nine years now. I first met him when Ethan and I started dating, and Ethan introduced us over dinner at a restaurant. That was the first time I saw Frank trying to scam a restaurant.

The waiters served our food, and we began eating. I ordered pasta, Ethan got a sandwich, and Frank ordered a bowl of rice with sesame chicken.

A bowl of sesame chicken with rice | Source: Pexels

“The chicken is so delicious!” Frank said, enjoying his meal.

“Yeah, even this sandwich tastes great,” Ethan added.

I thought Frank was just appreciating the restaurants food and service. But no. Frank had something else in mind, and what he did next caught me completely off guard.

“Let me show you how to get more of the same meal for free!” he said before calling a waiter over to our table.

An older man in a restaurant, smiling | Source: Midjourney

“How can I help you, sir?” the waiter asked politely.

“This chicken tastes awful!” Frank said angrily, shaking his head in disapproval. “I cant believe youre serving such tasteless meals. The flavor is bland, and its not even properly cooked.”

“Im so sorry, sir,” the waiter apologized. “Ill get a replacement right away.”

“Hurry up!” Frank snapped. “I dont have time to waste here. You better return with something thats properly cooked!”

A waiter in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

The waiter looked panicked, apologizing as if he was at fault. He took away the half-eaten meal that Frank pretended to dislike, promising to return in five minutes.

Once the waiter left, Frank flashed us an evil smile like he had pulled off something impressive.

At that point, I wanted to ask Frank why he lied to get another meal for free. It wasnt like he didnt have money, or he was dying of hunger.

A woman looking straight ahead while having dinner with her family | Source: Midjourney

What he did was so cheap, but I believed I was not in a position to make him realize how wrong he was.

Later that night, I asked Ethan why his father did that.

“Hes always been like this,” Ethan sighed. “He thinks its funny and he never listens when we tell him its wrong. Weve tried a million times, trust me.”

“But didnt you see how hurt that waiter was? He really thought your dad didnt like the food,” I protested. “This is so wrong, Ethan. So unfair.”

A woman talking to her boyfriend | Source: Midjourney

Ethan told me to let it go, and since we were just starting our relationship, I figured it wasnt worth arguing over.

I couldve pressed Ethan to understand how wrong Franks actions were, but I didnt want something so minor to strain our relationship.

However, looking back, I wish I had told Ethan to put an end to his dads habit.

An older man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

The following year, Ethan and I tied the knot, and since then, Ive been a witness to how cheap Frank is. Ive watched in horror as he pulled stunts to get free food, free services in hotels, and free ANYTHING, ANYWHERE!

A man shaking hands with a woman at work | Source: Pexels

During the first year of our marriage, I tried explaining to Ethan how wrong his fathers behavior was, but it led to a big argument. Ethan kept saying he had no control over Frank, while I insisted he at least talk to his dad about it.

That night, I decided to stop meddling in Franks business because it was useless. Little did I know, karma was about to step in and teach Frank a lesson hed never forget.

It all started when Frank called Ethan last weekend.

A man talking to his father on the phone | Source: Pexels

“Theres a new restaurant near my workplace,” he said. “I was wondering if you and Bella could join me. Ive heard the foods quite expensive so I just wanna see if its worth the money.”

“Sure, Dad,” Ethan replied. “Well be there.”

Two days later, we found ourselves in the restaurant with Frank. It was one of those fancy places where the plates are tiny, the prices are outrageous, and you need a reservation just to get in.

A fancy restaurant | Source: Pexels

“This place looks nice,” I said as I skimmed through the menu. “But wow, its pricey.”

“Yeah, its super expensive,” Ethan said. “I think Ill stick with a simple pasta.”

“Me too,” I agreed. “White sauce pasta for me. What about you, Frank?”

Frank was busy scanning the menu, his finger trailing down to the most expensive item.

“Ill have the lobster,” he grinned.

“A lobster? Really Dad?” Ethan asked. “Youve never ordered one before.”

A man sitting in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

“I know youd say this,” Frank replied. “But its nice to try new things, isnt it?”

“Youre right, Dad,” Ethan said before calling the waiter.

We placed our orders, but I could tell Frank was gearing up for another one of his stunts.

Soon, our food arrived, and we began eating. However, halfway through the dinner, I noticed Frank staring at his lobster. I couldnt understand what was happening until he plucked a hair from my head and placed it on his dish.

Yep, Frank had the nerve to do that. I was too stunned to say a word.

An angry woman in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

Then he called the waiter over, feigning disgust.

“Theres a hair in my food,” Frank exclaimed, pushing his seat away from the table as if the hair would fly over to him. “This is unacceptable! I shouldnt have to pay for this filth!”

What the heck? I thought. How can he even think of doing that?

I was mortified, while Ethan looked like he was about to explode with anger.

“Im so sorry, sir,” the waiter said. “Ill let the manager know.”

Thats when karma made its move.

A waiter in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

The manager approached our table a few seconds later.

“Were so sorry for the inconvenience, sir,” he apologized.

I think he was about to offer a complimentary meal when another waiter came over to our table and whispered something in the managers ear.

Thats when the managers expression changed from apologetic to stone-cold serious. He took a deep breath and said, “Sir, I need to ask you to leave.”

“What? Why should I leave?” Frank protested. “I found hair in my food and youre kicking me out? Is this how you treat your customers?”

An angry older man | Source: Midjourney

“Sir, Im asking you to leave because we believe you put the hair in the dish yourself,” the manager said calmly.

I can never forget the look on Franks face. Shocked, horrified, and caught off guard, he still tried to argue.

“How dare you accuse me of that!” he yelled at the manager. “Ill have your job for this!”

By now, the whole restaurant was watching.

People in a restaurant | Source: Pexels

“Sir,” the manager began, “one of our staff members recognized you from another restaurant where you pulled the same stunt. We take food safety seriously here and wont tolerate attempts to defame our business. Please leave, or we will involve the authorities.”

At that point, people around us started whispering among themselves, and some of them were even laughing. Meanwhile, Ethan and I looked at each other, wishing we hadnt agreed to this dinner.

But it didnt end there.

Read alsoMy Father-in-Law Humiliated a Waiter, but Karma Struck When He Least Expected ItMy Husband Took Me to a Fancy Restaurant for Our Anniversary but Only Let Me Order a Cheap Salad – This Special Day He Wont ForgetWaiting for Secret Reviewer, Waiters Ignore Ordinary-Looking Woman Unaware It Is Her – Story of the Day

A man sitting with his wife in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

Frank was at a loss for words and knew he couldnt do anything to prove the manager wrong. So, he stood up and picked up his coat, preparing to leave.

“And one more thing, sir,” the manager said. “Were sharing your photo and details with several other high-end restaurants in the area. Youll no longer be welcome at any of them.”

Franks face turned pale as he realized what the manager just said.

An older man in a restaurant, looking shocked | Source: Midjourney

What bothered him more was that the entire restaurant heard him and many of them were laughing at him. At that point, he understood he could no longer pull his cheap stunts to claim free food.

Karma had defeated him.

Frank stormed out of the restaurant without saying another word, while Ethan and I sat there in silence. Once the shock wore off, I couldnt help but laugh at what just happened.

A woman laughing | Source: Midjourney

“I never thought Id see the day!” I said, still laughing. “Frank finally got a taste of his own medicine, and it wasnt free.”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe hell finally realize that cheating his way through life always has a cost.”

That night, I finally understood how karma works. I couldnt help but think that sometimes, karma is just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And that moment might be right when youre about to dig into an overpriced lobster.

Do you agree?

A lobster served in a dish | Source: Pexels

If you enjoyed reading this story, heres another one you might like: My wedding day took a bizarre turn when our videographer pulled me aside with shocking footage. What I saw next would test my new marriage, expose a familys dark secrets, and leave me questioning everything I thought I knew about love and trust.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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