It’s nice when you’re celebrating a special occasion and a restaurant goes out of its way to enhance the experience by providing you with a freebie like a dessert. But should you pretend to be celebrating something for the chance at getting a comped treat? One diner says she does this frequently, but it recently backfired on her.
In a viral TikTok, Hailey Higgins (@haileyhiggz) informs viewers that on OpenTable, you can choose the “special occasion” option, which “I, of course, always do it because why not get a free little fun treat?” she says.
However, this time, she put that she was celebrating an anniversary to see if that would get her free champagne. She didn’t receive any bubbly, but when she got to the restaurant, her table was decorated with rose petals and a “Happy Anniversary” sign.
The problem? She’s dining alone. “Now it’s gonna look like I got stood up on my anniversary,” she says. However, she adds that she’s creating a good people-watching experience for other diners. “I’m kinda doing everyone a service.”
She adds that she’s going to have a “good night” and that her mistake may actually be a hack because people may feel sorry for her and send her free drinks.
‘Love when people lie for their own benefit!’
In the comments section, viewers applauded Higgins’ “genius” move. Several also shared their experiences of adding a special occasion to their reservation.
“I did this and they gave us ‘free’ champagne when we arrived…. We never asked for the drinks and they ended up charging us for them lol,” one viewer wrote.
A second viewer said they weren’t as lucky as Higgins. “I always put stuff on my reservation even when it is my birthday and they never do stuff rip,” they wrote.
Another viewer echoed that sentiment. “Meanwhile when i do this and go on my actual anniversary every year i get nothing not even a sign [crying emoji] im so unlucky,” they said.
Should I lie and say I’m celebrating an anniversary when making restaurant reservations?
In an article discussing selecting “anniversary” on Resy when booking a restaurant table, a Slate writer states that they always choose the option when dining out with a friend, and more often than not, their meal ends with workers bringing over a “delicious piece of chocolate cake.”
“Out of all the occasion options typically offered by reservation apps (Resy, OpenTable, Yelp), I really do find ‘anniversary’ to be the best one to choose,” they continue. “‘Birthday’ leaves the possibility that you’ll be caught in the lie. ‘Date’ isn’t special enough. ‘Business Meal’—they know you’re expensing that, why would you need a free food item! ‘Anniversary,’ though, that could mean anything.”
The writer notes that you could be celebrating the anniversary of anything, like an important milestone in your career. The possibilities for a fun cover up are endless. And if you say you’re celebrating a personal milestone, it won’t look strange if you’re dining alone like Higgins.
@haileyhiggz Genius or humiliating: to be determined
♬ original sound – Hailey Higgins
So, to answer your question, go for it. You may not always get a freebie, but the possibility can bring some excitement to your meal nonetheless.
The Mary Sue reached out to Higgins via TikTok comment and direct message. It reached out to OpenTable via press email.
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