Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> In a restaurant he'll just tell the waiter to bring him something good.

I've seen people do this, and my first thought is "what happens when the waiter brings him something he's allergic to?" The patron didn't make the conscious decision to order that specific food, which makes me think the restaurant is now open to a lawsuit. If I were the waiter in that scenario, I'd ask the patron if he's allergic to any of the foods the restaurant serves, which would probably ruin his ego depletion game but would at least cover the restaurant (hopefully) if he then succumbs to his dinner.



If you're allergic to something and you tell a waiter to just bring you anything I think you have about 100% of the responsibility all by your lonesome and if you sue the restaurant from that situation I sincerely hope that you not only lose but will be forced to cough up the legal fees for the defending party.


I'd like to think you are correct, but (at least here in the United States) I can see the lawsuits piling up. People here sue over spilled coffee, it's not out of the realm of possibility.


The "spilled coffee" case was not a frivolous lawsuit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaur...


The woman suffered third-degree burns _to where bone was exposed_ on her groin and legs from coffee served at a negligently high temperature:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restau...

This wasn't some get rich quick scheme or frivolity. The settlement money paid for a live-in nurse for the rest of her life.


If he was allergic to anything, surely he wouldn't make the request?


I love beer but generally dislike lagers (or at least american style lagers), so I'll often ask for a mystery beer and specify "anything except for a lager." I've truly yet to be disappointed. It's hard to imagine you couldn't do the same with food.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: