Additional Person

The infamous "Extra Person" or "Plus One" - the secret ingredient in many US restaurants that can send your meal bill soaring (or crashing, depending on how you look at it).

So, what is this mysterious entity that has restaurants scratching their heads and customers scratching theirs?

Meet the "Additional Person," also known as the "Extra Pat, the Plus One, or (my personal favorite) the Hidden Guest.

Description:

The Additional Person is a sneaky, invisible entity that miraculously materializes at the dinner table, making its presence known by consuming an alarming amount of food, drinks, and sometimes even entire bottles of wine. It's as if this phantom diner has a bottomless stomach and an insatiable appetite for the finest cuisine.

Characteristics:

1. Unpredictable: You never know when or where this extra person will pop up, making it a thrilling experience for restaurants. Will it be a walk-in or a special request? The world may never know.

2. Gluttonous: Additional Person has a voracious appetite, leaving tables in awe. They can down an entire pizza by themselves, devours an entire bucket of fried chicken, or (gasp!) drink an entire pitcher of sangria by themselves.

3. Mysterious: The origin of the Additional Person remains shrouded in mystery. Some theories suggest it's a manifestation of a restaurateur's worst nightmare coming to life, while others believe it's an alien from a distant planet seeking nourishment.

4. Mischievous: This sneaky individual often hides from waitstaff, only to reappear when the check arrives. It can also be quite cunning, ordering an entire meal in secret, only to surprise the main party with an unexpected appetizer (or three).

Symptoms:

Tips for dealing with the Additional Person:

1. Keep a close eye on your party at all times, or risk losing a potential third or even fourth member.

2. Order wisely: Choose shareable meals and drinks to minimize the risk of the Additional Person consuming everything in sight.

3. Ignore the temptation to ask too many questions about the mysterious extra diner; you might just get an earful of bureaucratic jargon.

The moral of the story is: be prepared for the unexpected, and always budget extra for the Additional Person.