Restaurant patrons often complain of being taken, but in inflationary 1974 it is the diners-out who are doing the taking. Not just ashtrays, but about everything à la cartable, from cups and dishes and silverware to rolls, crackers and ketchupeven paper napkins and soap.
Diners are emptying salt shakers into plastic packagesor taking the shaker itselffor home consumption. Even at tony establishments run by Manhattan's Restaurant Associates, well-to-do customers are making off with people-bags filled with everything from fruit to nutcrackers.
Throughout the U.S., the biggest takeout item for restaurant rippers-off is sugar, which has had a price rise of 160% in the...
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