A British couple on holiday in Crete have been accused of walking out of at least three tavernas without paying.
The couple whose identity is not known are reported to have happily tucked into food and drinks before complaining loudly about their meals and refusing to pay.
They are said to have stormed off without settling their bills in at least three restaurants on separate nights around the village of Koutouloufari in the north of the idyllic Greek island.
The couple are believed to have last struck at the Ariadni Apartments restaurant which is acclaimed for its fine pizzas, seafood and traditional Greek food.
An outraged member of staff posted their picture on Facebook, along with message stating: ‘Keep an eye on this couple. After finishing their meal, they refuse to pay the bill.
The as-yet-unnamed couple reportedly began loudly complaining about their meals and refused to pay
The couple are believed to have last struck at the Ariadni Apartments restaurant which is acclaimed for its fine pizzas, seafood and traditional Greek food
‘We are third restaurant so far where they have tried this tactic. It’s good restaurant owners in the village communicate with each other so we know what to expect.’
The post on the Facebook group Koutouloufari For Ever attracted more than 200 comments including many from outraged British holidaymakers and ex-pats accusing the couple of heaping shame on the UK.
One woman rushed to defend the restaurant, posting: ‘Such beautiful people and place!! Shame on you.’
Another furiously posted: ‘How disgusting. How could anyone do such a thing to the lovely people around the area.
‘It’s people like that who give us English a bad name. I see it has been shared on the posts that I am a member of. I hope they rot in hell for what they have done.
The couple ran off without paying for meals from several restaurants on the north side of Crete
‘They are probably on their way back home by now. So sorry to all those lovely people who have been affected x’.
A third Brit added: ‘Why can’t the taverna owners join forces and bring a few hefty brothers/cousins/mates in to the village as an “encouragement” for these lowlifes to pay up, if the cops won’t do anything?’.
One holidaymaker from Newcastle suggested that the couple may be from Liverpool in a comment saying: ‘There (sic) Scousers. I was actually there tonight when it happened. By the way, not bad mouthing Scousers. Good people etc, but ya always get a bad egg.’
But another holidaymaker added to confusion over the identity of the couple, saying: ‘I was sitting opposite them. Sounded like Cockneys to me, or was it Mancs?’
Former Ministry of Defence worker Mark Flynn, 59, who has lived in Crete for 16 years accused the couple of ‘taking advantage of the kindness of Greek people’.
He added: ‘It looks like they have been going into restaurants to eat. It is the custom here for places after a meal to provide a free dessert and a glass of the local raki firewater.
‘They then apparently started complaining in each place about the service and meal they had been given even though they had eaten and drunk everything.
‘As far as restaurants are concerned, it is often just easier for them to let people like that walk away, and forget about it, because most diners are very honest.
‘But in this case, it seems that this couple have gone too far and have tried the same stunt repeatedly in at least three places.
‘It is extremely unusual for local restaurants to post something like this because they don’t like to cause a scene, and it is a sign that they must have been very upset.’
Mr. Flynn who is from Plymouth, Devon, added: ‘It is the first time I have heard of Brits doing this in all my time here.
‘When it has previously happened, it has been Russians or Israelis. Everyone is really angry about it because the behaviour of one couple is giving all British people a bad name.
‘It is not a very nice thing to do at all. The Greeks are wonderful people and do not deserve to be abused like this.’
A woman posted on Facebook that she believed the couple had returned back to the UK on Tuesday last week.
After seeing the picture of the couple, she said that she had seen the man around the former Roman port town of Hersonissos which is near Koutouloufari and renowned for its peaceful beaches and ancient ruins.
The woman posted: ‘We were in Hersonissos until the 29th August. I’m certain I saw him at least once in Hersonissos during the week we were there, and on the last day (29th), I ‘m sure my partner spoke to him while we waited outside down town restaurant (bus stop 22) for our transfer.
‘He was very drunk and eating and drinking in the restaurant, and mentioned his transfer was later in the day.’
The Ariadni Palace Apartments have not yet responded to a request for comment.
