Send to a Friend

How common is it for restaurant customers to dine-and-dash?
I think I saw this happen today. I was enjoying a meal in a restaurant when a couple at a nearby table suddenly hurried out taking their belongings and leaving their mostly-finished meals on the table. The staff made no fuss and after fifteen minutes or so the table was quietly cleared. I guess the restaurant is covered by insurance for such an event but how common is it, and how much of my bill pays for dine-and-dashers?
Using Fluther
or