Waiting for the fall-out....
Discussion
No, not another "can I east something 24 hours out-of-date" thread!
Last night we launched a few new dishes at my restaurant and being the bank hols decided to try them "live" with my wife and "booked" a table for dinner.
Lovely evening ensued, listening in to neighbouring tables saying how great the food was and how they were enjoying themselves. Really makes me happy to know we are doing something right and people appreciate it.
All was well until an elderly lady arrived on her own and took the last remaining unbooked table.
For 20 minutes we, and other near by tables, endured her repeatedly telling a young but extremely competent waitress shes was a "senior tripadvisor reviewer", complaining at every opportunity about literally anything she could think of and generally spoiling the atmosphere. When her meal arrived she ate it in minutes then started to complain loudly again and tried to blame the waitress for the fact she did not enjoy her meal saying she had "ruined her evening".
So as she starts to launch into a very loud and nasty personal attack on a member of my staff I thought I should step in. To her it might have been a little confusing, some rather scruffy random guy gets up from a neighbouring table and asks her to leave. But she did. Quickly.
So, be warned nasty people, you never know who is listening in
Last night we launched a few new dishes at my restaurant and being the bank hols decided to try them "live" with my wife and "booked" a table for dinner.
Lovely evening ensued, listening in to neighbouring tables saying how great the food was and how they were enjoying themselves. Really makes me happy to know we are doing something right and people appreciate it.
All was well until an elderly lady arrived on her own and took the last remaining unbooked table.
For 20 minutes we, and other near by tables, endured her repeatedly telling a young but extremely competent waitress shes was a "senior tripadvisor reviewer", complaining at every opportunity about literally anything she could think of and generally spoiling the atmosphere. When her meal arrived she ate it in minutes then started to complain loudly again and tried to blame the waitress for the fact she did not enjoy her meal saying she had "ruined her evening".
So as she starts to launch into a very loud and nasty personal attack on a member of my staff I thought I should step in. To her it might have been a little confusing, some rather scruffy random guy gets up from a neighbouring table and asks her to leave. But she did. Quickly.
So, be warned nasty people, you never know who is listening in
Piersman2 said:
Did she pay?
If no, she's got exactly what she wanted.
If yes, well done to you!
She knew exactly what she was doing, insisting on paying which I politely declined to expedite her departure. Took all of 30 seconds from me sitting down at her table to her getting up to leave.If no, she's got exactly what she wanted.
If yes, well done to you!
She got her free meal but I and everyone else was able to continue enjoying their evening. For the sake of a few quids worth of ingredients and wine it was worth it.
If I hadn't have been there I have every belief she would have paid but only after reducing her waitress to tears.
It will be interesting to see what she writes in her report if she does so, she didn't realise who you were in the end then?
I was in a curry house once when a young girl in an inebriated all female group decided to try and have a go at complaining, probably to get free food and she pulled over who she thought was a waiter, it was the owner who she hadn't even noticed was dressed completely differently:
"There is a split on the edge of my plate of (half eaten) chips!"
Gives her a questioning look
"Well I've cut my mouth open on it!" (she hadn't)
"You pushed the plate into your mouth to eat the chips?"
Walks away leaving her open mouthed.
She then complained to one of the waiters about this 'waiter's' attitude, luckily she didn't ask to see the manager....
I was in a curry house once when a young girl in an inebriated all female group decided to try and have a go at complaining, probably to get free food and she pulled over who she thought was a waiter, it was the owner who she hadn't even noticed was dressed completely differently:
"There is a split on the edge of my plate of (half eaten) chips!"
Gives her a questioning look
"Well I've cut my mouth open on it!" (she hadn't)
"You pushed the plate into your mouth to eat the chips?"
Walks away leaving her open mouthed.
She then complained to one of the waiters about this 'waiter's' attitude, luckily she didn't ask to see the manager....
21TonyK said:
....you never know who is listening in
Years ago, newly opened hotel (Thistle?) me and 6/8 work mates eating our evening meal.When the coffee was served the pot was taken away, I commented that they could have left the pot.
Guy at the next table comes over and pulls up a chair. Introduced himself as the manager, got the coffee pot back and asked us for all our feedback.
My father in law has many such tales of people complaining just for the sake of complaining, usually just after they've finished eating what was apparently an inedible meal.
There seem to be so many chancers out there.
I also find it horribly cringe-worthy when you’re actually eating with serial complainers, they’re a pain in the ass and I always hope the waiter/waitress makes sure it’s their plate that gets the special sauce.
There seem to be so many chancers out there.
I also find it horribly cringe-worthy when you’re actually eating with serial complainers, they’re a pain in the ass and I always hope the waiter/waitress makes sure it’s their plate that gets the special sauce.
21TonyK said:
She knew exactly what she was doing, insisting on paying which I politely declined to expedite her departure. Took all of 30 seconds from me sitting down at her table to her getting up to leave.
You should've made her pay. It would have taken no more than a minute, and perhaps would stop her from doing this in the future.I witnessed a fantastic put down in the Brighton Grand. I was having afternoon tea (as one does) and enjoying it until a couple sat nearby. Mid/late 60's she was dressed in what could only be described as a couple of draped floral curtains, and no stranger to cake. Henpecked husband's eyes were pleading apologies to anyone who looked even before they sat down. Her volume control was set to 11/10 particularly when a brand name or location was mentioned - clearly needing to be centre of attention in a quiet conservatory dining room.
Having pretty much inhaled their respective meals, the waitress appeared and asked them how it had been. The woman replied that it was awful, some of the worst she'd been served etc etc. The waitresses simple response - "you appear to have eaten it all madam" before walking off.
She left rather abruptly with husband in tow. No doubt all his fault...
Having pretty much inhaled their respective meals, the waitress appeared and asked them how it had been. The woman replied that it was awful, some of the worst she'd been served etc etc. The waitresses simple response - "you appear to have eaten it all madam" before walking off.
She left rather abruptly with husband in tow. No doubt all his fault...
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