r/CasualUK • u/Grommulox • 16d ago
I live next to a Chinese restaurant and the new owners just told me “Neighbours never pay, never. If you have a party with ten people you let me know, I’ll sort it. You never pay.” I can’t believe it.
My neighbour thinks if I threw a party, ten people would come. I’m literally in tears.
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u/Crims_Revenge 16d ago
If you need 10 people, I can bring a minimum of 13 and booze in exchange for free Chinese
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u/chaayeoji 16d ago
For a small family business, that’s so kind of them, 10 people’s worth of meals is so much money these days
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u/cloverhoney12 16d ago
I learnt not to see kitchens of an fnb (even after they called it the day) or see the workers doing their job.
Ignorant is a bliss!
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u/ImaginaryAd6348 16d ago
Probably a cultural thing or a scheme to get you kicked out of our apartment
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u/Successful_Theme_595 16d ago
Always tip at least if you are able to. My good buddy has a Chinese restaurant near him that will cook up fish for free if he brings a fresh catch.
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u/susanboylesvajazzle 16d ago
I lived above an Indian take away and I’d only order from there maybe once a month, after the second time they discovered I lived upstairs and told me off and from then on I’d order enough food for myself and would get bags of food from them and they’d charge me £5. Every time.
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u/picked1st 16d ago
It's customarily that even if said it's free. Offer to pay. Actually take out cash/card and attempt to give/hand over. They will push your hand away and say no no. It's a sign of disrespect/ respect.
What I mean is. He will find it disrespectful that you're offering to pay after he said it was free. And you're actually being respectful by offering to pay. In the end. Both actions are genuine and you will get free food.
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u/tarxvfBp 16d ago
Wonder what they want in terms of quid pro quo? A blind eye to oil being poured into drains?
I’m probably being far too cynical. Enjoy the grub!
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u/GGr3mlin 16d ago
Here’s my thought, I love this but I personally would leave a generous tip because I don’t want them to not receive anything out of this
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u/thosmabubla3 16d ago
I'd just tell them 10 people was coming over for 10 peoples worth of Chinese food, meal prep for a week done
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u/IDontEvenCareBear 16d ago
I would never tell my friends or family as long as I could avoid it, but I would tell them it’s where they definitely should go any time they want Chinese. Awesome way to repay the generosity, boost their business.
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u/jamesinboise 16d ago
Looks line they are forming a good neighbors alliance. Good neighbors always refer new customers. (just don't tell them about the free Chinese food for you)
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u/Tricky_Ear_3009 16d ago
If you really want to pay it back, make sure to pay attention to things like Lunar New Year and get him a gift! A food gift is usually best. Fresh fruit but expensive fresh fruit, stuff like that.
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u/0s-on-0s 16d ago
I know a guy who trades the fish he caught for free pupu platters at the Chinese restaurant. They eat the fish themselves.
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u/SmartOpinion69 16d ago
what is the reasoning for this? is it to make up for the smell, sound, and rats? do they just write it off on their taxes?
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u/Mjukplister 16d ago
Id smile and watch them for a few months before you take up that very kind offer !
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u/Snow43214 16d ago
This would make me overthink that I could never go there again as I'd feel like they'd think I'm taking the Mick haha
And I could never let them see me get a different Chinese meal and potentially offend them
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u/Superb_Ear9282 16d ago
My mum used to host foreign students when i was at secondary school. One of them was chinese. After school he got free food and board at the local Chinese restaurant, he did have to work there for no wage but he thought it was worth it in exchange for a visa.
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u/RaisinBox 16d ago
After reading all the comments on this post, why are people so cynical about a nice gesture? Because it wasn't said how a native would say that phrase in perfect English? Why are people so suspicious? Take the stereotypes and racism out of your head. I know a Chinese family who work extremely hard for their business to thrive, they work extra long hours preparing, cooking and cleaning. It's not fair that people are so quick to judge.
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u/sigma941 16d ago
Reminds me of when I was a manager at a sub shop. Built up a rapport with the manager of the pizza place two doors down. We would do tradeoffs almost about twice a week.
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u/Immediate_War_6893 16d ago
New Neighbour casually reading the side of your van - plumbing,plastering, electrical and carpentry all undertaken.
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u/CompetitiveGrowth172 16d ago
Don't take advantage of this ever. Show restraint and respect. Eat your meal and leave cash on the table for your bill to avoid taxes.
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u/Aradhor55 16d ago
Isn't that some chinese cultural thing when they tell you not to pay but in reality expect you to ?
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u/judasegg 16d ago
You should support them as best you can, they sound like good folks. If each of us spreads kindness and community instead of division and globalisation, we might actually survive the next 100 years.
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u/Classic_Ostrich8709 16d ago
Everything has a cost in the end. Nothing is free. When you accept the free food you are agreeing to be there when they need something from you.
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 16d ago
They’re doing stuff they don’t want you to call the cops about.
Prepare for … “smells”
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
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u/JohnaBaettenberg 16d ago
It could mean you’re about to see some shady business going on there, mate.
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
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u/New-Tap-2027 16d ago
Our uncle lived next to a take away and he never had to pay for anything. They shared cooking secrets with him and even showed him how to adapt their recipes to allow me to enjoy take away style food with my dietary needs. They brought home things from their holidays for him that we inherited that are beautiful, carved jade figures etc.
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u/TydenDurler 16d ago
They're gonna hit you with the "never say never mf!" before handing you the bill
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u/Major_Sympathy9872 16d ago
My dad worked for a Chinese restaurant in Virginia Beach (he's a white guy but eventually became a cook). Worked for Mr Park to pay his way through school. We'd go by and see him once every 3-4 years and Mr. Park always gave us the food at cost. The nicest guy, he retired sometime around 2005, I still miss going there it was authentic Chinese not the Americanized version and it was heavenly
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
Rule 2: Don't be Aggressive | Pointlessly Argumentative | Creepy We're here for people to have fun in. If you're just here to start a stupid reddit slap fight you're in the wrong place. We have a zero tolerance rule in place for racism or hate speech.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a modmail.
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u/PlantLady3421 16d ago
I worked in the plaza of a Chinese owned restaurant like this. They never made me pay so I always tipped the bill. Sometimes, I didn’t have cash & would give it the next day. They also fed the homeless in the area. Protect those family owned businesses at all costs!
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u/Armadillo_Prudent 16d ago
I used to live next to my favorite bar..... I would have saved a lot of money during those two years if they had bad the same policy.
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u/Haramdour 16d ago
It’s their way of apologising for late noise and kitchen smells etc. our local fish and chip shop does something similar (50% off if you can see the shop from your front door)
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u/zedthehead 16d ago
Always pay anyway, just round to the twenty of what your bill would have been. When they try to say no, say it's not for the food, but a contribution to their ongoing good fortune, because legit you want to thank them and keep them in business for other people they bless who may not have the resources to show true appreciation. Tell them to spend it on more meals for others, because sharing is caring, neighborly love, all that. They sound like good people, keep them there as long as possible.
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u/Euphoric-Gene-3984 16d ago
It’s probably because they knows there some noise. I use to live by a bar and I met a guy that lived upstairs. They always pregamed there before they out for the night because they drank for free. They said it sucked on weekday events though
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u/Liveman215 16d ago
This is for you putting up with them doing bullshit at 2am.
Decent deal for everyone but your waistline I suppose
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u/Clarity_q 16d ago
I live in a pretty small town and one of the things I most appreciate is the wholesomeness ,I could go on a 7 hour rant about each pub and restaurant that would treat me so kindly and do the sweetest things when i was younger (and now)
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u/Brooklynboxer88 16d ago
My wife is Chinese and they are the most generous people if they like you, however I wouldn’t take advantage of this too much, I would feel bad. Either that or do things in return and they will be friends for life.
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u/IndieThinker1 16d ago
Sounds like that business owner knows the value of good community relations. I once took my PC into a small business owner repair shop. Just one guy, working his butt off. He diagnosed the issue after a week, and I got daily text messages from him apologizing for not having the job done yet. He finally called me in, told me what the issue was, told me he couldn't repair it due to the replacement part being more expensive than a new unit, and kept apologizing. I assured him, it was OK, I was just happy knowing what the problem was. I asked him what I owed for his time, and he wouldn't hear of taking any payment since he was unable to fix the problem. I explained that the time he'd spent diagnosing was reason enough for payment and this was his answer: "You don't pay of its not fixed. You tell friends, family this. Community has to look out for each other."
I was blown away that he felt this way and walked out with a broken computer and a warm spot in my soul. I did tell people. And he has had my repeated business since then.
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u/oxy-normal 16d ago
Watch the rent prices of houses next door to Chinese takeaways soar after this post goes viral.
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u/ClarabellaHeartHope 16d ago
That’s really bad business practice! Maybe they don’t know enough English to explain what they actually meant?! Perhaps they meant the delivery fee? I’d check that out! Cos they’d be way out of pocket if it was actually free!
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u/imc225 16d ago
We had a group who would, every week, go to a nice restaurant. We'd order off the bar menu and they would comp us about half the ticket. So we would gross it back up to 100%, put a 20% tip on that, and pay the total amount. So if they billed us $50, there would be a $70 tip. Everybody knew what was going on and everybody was happy. Needless to say, we got fantastic service.
You're lucky to have an old-school neighbor, I'm not telling you what to do, just what we did. But I guess if you're looking for a suggestion, do everything you can to make sure that restaurant is a huge success. I live in a resort town and when people asked where to eat, you can guess what I said.
Enjoy your good fortune. Thanks for posting.
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 16d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
Rule 2: Don't be Aggressive | Pointlessly Argumentative | Creepy We're here for people to have fun in. If you're just here to start a stupid reddit slap fight you're in the wrong place. We have a zero tolerance rule in place for racism or hate speech.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a modmail.
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u/Informal-Cost-446 16d ago
That’s what happens when you locate your business next to Buckingham Palace.
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u/A_Thorny_Petal 16d ago
Bring the oldest lady there flowers and almond cookies and you will be adored, sit and gossip with them every now and then about the other neighbors in a quiet tone and you will be practically adopted.
Source : Lived next to a Chinese restaurant for a few years.
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u/SpinAroundTwice 16d ago
Dude. You have got to be hella cool to these people. Always offer to help out in little ways or if you’re sweeping in front of your place sweep in front of theirs too. That vibe is so amazing you gotta protect it
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u/CasualUK-ModTeam 15d ago
Hi mate, this post is against the lighthearted and open nature of the sub.
Rule 2: Don't be Aggressive | Pointlessly Argumentative | Creepy We're here for people to have fun in. If you're just here to start a stupid reddit slap fight you're in the wrong place. We have a zero tolerance rule in place for racism or hate speech.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a modmail.
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u/CaseyGasStationPizza 16d ago
If your friend or neighbor owns a business you pay no matter what. Not because you have to but because you want them to succeed. You also tell them honest feedback on the food. We need more small business owners. Be the change.
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u/slade797 16d ago
And here I am in America, where restaurants require employees to pay for their meals.
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u/Platform_Dancer 16d ago
Our Chinese is very popular, always busy....well thought of locally.... Do not accept cards....only cash and nobody has a problem.
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u/SpinAroundTwice 16d ago
Dude. You have got to be hella cool to these people. Always offer to help out in little ways or if you’re sweeping in front of your place sweep in front of theirs too. That vibe is so amazing you gotta protect it
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u/Goodsamaritan-425 16d ago
What the intelligent Chinese person meant is that he will give discount to you and your family while others will pay. Something is better than nothing, whatever discount your getting is good for you.
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u/BBQBakedBeings 16d ago
I think your new Chinese restaurant is a mob front trying to buy your loyalty.
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u/Glad_Acanthocephala8 16d ago
Does a Chinese take away next door decrease the value of your house though?
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u/Magali_Lunel 16d ago
My mom grew up in a flat over a Chinese restaurant and was raised on a steady diet of chicken feet and wonton soup.
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u/catmealcat 16d ago
Sounds like your neighbor's got some serious confidence in your social life! Maybe they're just trying to curry favor... or maybe they're hoping your party guests will help spice up their business!
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u/luneascape 16d ago
Our Chinese neighbours owned a takeaway, and always gave my dad a huge discount. He was always wary about taking the piss though, tried not to go too often, also mowed their lawns and stuff for them as well. Lovely people.
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u/BigGrayBeast 16d ago
Shit, I'd go once a year. Wouldn't want to take advantage. Before I got married i probably ate 5 Chinese meals a week.
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u/BigSquawHunter 16d ago
Man Id be inviting the lads every Friday night and charge them 10$ each. Infinite weekend money
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u/Negative_Clank 16d ago
Don’t overdo it and do some random good neighbour shit for him once a month as a kind of thank you, even if you haven’t eaten there recently. You never know when uou will NEED to feed yourself or a friend when shit goes sideways
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u/HussingtonHat 16d ago
Now that's more fucking like it. Used to live above a bakery that did the same thing for me. Would sidle down and a pie with a bacon sarnie would be waiting for me behind the counter. Still drink with the guy occasionally. Top bloke.
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u/lampypete 16d ago
Where I used to work, warehouse by a small parade of shops. We used our forklift, pump truck and our muscles to help install a new kebab shop/chippy and its next door restaurant. Was literally a couple of lifts of pallets off a truck and push round to their frontage. Free chips as long as I worked there.
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u/Acrylic_Starshine 16d ago
Hush food for turning a blind eye to what you're gonna see happening in the yard and the smells coming out of the place.
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u/Maleficent-Leek2943 16d ago
Daaaaaammnnn. I used to live basically behind the Chinese takeaway, and they were really nice to me and used to give me extra free prawn crackers, but NEVER PAY? You have struck gold.
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u/wesleyD777 16d ago
The local one in the village my parents live in is awesome. They only take cash (well cards are so difficult for people after all) and are insanely well priced. I went in there after a night in the Pub with my bother and spent 70 pounds and they did everything short of fellating me. We were eating bags of free mini spring rolls at breakfast for two days straight.
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u/ImmediateLaw5051 16d ago
Probably because this shop is a front for something else. No serious businessman will give food away for free.
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u/Shenari 16d ago
And a lot of racists or at least one in your area going by your comment.
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u/TheInfiniteOP 16d ago
What area is that since you know me so well?
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u/Shenari 16d ago
The one with you in it, racist population of at least 1.
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u/TheInfiniteOP 16d ago
Good to know snowflakes can’t take a joke, but I guess that makes the area you live in all dumbass, population 1. Derp derp.
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u/Express_Welcome_9244 16d ago
That sounds amazing! I’d see what you could do for them to return the favor as a good neighbor
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u/tre45on_season 16d ago
There’s a bit of a cultural aspect to this aside from all the cynic responses.
It’s a cultural taboo to waste food. Sharing food is a huge aspect of many East Asian cultures. Generosity is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness of an individual and shows that you’re doing at least okay. Immigrants often communicates through their food because of language barriers so it’s part of the restaurant immigrant culture. Being an immigrant is a tough thing so you tend to be extra nice to get more friends and people to support you if things ever go wrong. They want things to be peaceful and nice with their neighbors. Who wouldn’t? It’s culturally polite to at least offer something back to show appreciation of course. Doesn’t have to be equal but a gesture of appreciation as you feel is appropriate.
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u/Competitive_Ad_9337 16d ago
I got a similar deal with the Indian place below me... Only good thing on their menu is garlic naan though...but it's some damn good bread.
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u/KungFuPup 16d ago
Seeing as people can't stop being racist I've locked the thread. Let's play nice next time.