Man shares how he got a free restaurant meal - but it took acting skills and commitment

After finding out the trick from Twitter user Elan Gale, Kyle Baldinger tried it out, complete with live updates of his progress

Man eating dessert in fancy restaurant — Table: Ordering a table for two is part of the process

This is how to get a free meal in a restaurant - but be warned it isn't easy.
Here's the secret: "If you go for dinner alone, always ask for a table for two.
"Look sad as you eat it and you will almost always get a free dessert."
After finding out the trick from Twitter user Elan Gale, Kyle Baldinger tried it out, complete with live updates of his progress.
He begins by informing followers that "#OperationFreeFood is go".

Top tip: Kyle Baldinger's hilarious attempt to get a free dessert

A picture shows an empty seat opposite as he waits for his fictional date - "Jaime".
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After a fake call to her, and perusing what the menu has to offer for couples, he posts: "The guests around me have started to notice, as well as my server, that I may have been 'stood up'.
Mr Baldinger keeps glancing to the door, while the waiting staff begin to whisper about him.
He says: "Just gave my waiter the "She'll be here, I'm sure, five more minutes" speech. He seemed doubtful."

The deceitful diner keeps dropping subtle hints - like an untouched drink on the table across from him - leaving the waiter in no doubt.
"So much time has passed that now my waiter isn't making eye contact with me, and is avoiding my table," he says.
Diners are seated, eat their food and leave while the fake date sits alone.
The waiter then begins offering filips, saying the traffic is bad.
"The sympathy is now there," Mr Baldinger says. "When I give up his heart will break for me and I will get my free dessert."
Then it's business time.

"About to drop the 'I guess she's not coming' line," he says.

"Actual line used: 'I don't think she ever planned on coming.
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"I wish I could've taken a photo of his broken face."
He orders, the waiter takes both menus, and he settles down to a long, slow, lonely meal.
Mr Baldinger says: "He just refilled my water and whispered 'you okay bud?' Maybe I'm too convincing.
#suicidewatch."
But when the meal is over - a bill does NOT appear.
Mission accomplished.