Gun Control & RKBA

...at least, not for a first offense -- it's theft, but so small that neither the police nor prosecutors would be bothered with it. If it becomes a habit, though, you most likely will. It becomes a pattern of behavior.

Heck, even the restaurant probably won't bother pressing charges -- again, it's not worth their time. It is still theft to run out on the bill, and pretty reprehensible, but you'd probably get away with it. And, again, unless it becomes a habit.

I'm pretty sure you'll be invited not to return, though. People will only let you get away with stealing from them to a point.

I'm not sure what would happen if it came out that someone was advocating running out on the bill before they did it themselves. That could very well change things significantly. And if it were also someone in some way known in the community -- say, a teacher, for instance -- it could well have other consequences. That sort of behavior gets heard about rather rapidly, in my experience...

So, no, even with the small chances of legal consequences, I still wouldn't recommend such poor behavior. It's still theft, even if you get away from it, and it's just... well... pretty small, no matter what sort of nonsensical rhetoric you try to hide it behind.