do you say something about it to the server/manager, or do you just let it go? I'm a firm believer in letting a restaurant know if the service/food was not what you were expecting, because if you don't tell them, then how are they going to know? Guess I have trouble understanding why some people won't speak up and say anything, when they're paying their hard-earned money for their meal.

Last night, for instance, I got my usual chicken caesar salad at Panera's. Usually, they are very good, and I love the way they taste, but last night, something was not right. The chicken had a funny taste/look about it, like the chicken had not been prepared and/or refrigerated properly. So today when I went back to Panera's, I nicely but firmly told the manager what had happened, and why I was disappointed in the meal that I had bought there last night. Because she knew that I'm a good customer (shoot, I go there practically every day, the workers there even know me by name!), she gave me my meal free of charge, without me even asking. This happened to me another time too, when a restaurant that I used to go to a lot gave me bad service. I nicely complained about it, and they also gave me a free meal (again without me asking). I feel that if a restaurant is good, and if they truly care about their customers, they will do something to compensate for what you found to be unacceptable.

However, I know other people who will not complain or say anything, even when the food/service is lousy. For instance, I overhead my boss today telling a coworker of mine about a meal he and his wife had at a restaurant the other night. I guess his hamburger was too greasy and the salad that his wife had had rusty lettuce in it. Apparently, my boss' wife had the piece of rusty lettuce on the side of her plate, but the waitress didn't even say anything about it. I wanted to say, "Well, why did you not say anything to the waitress/manager. I certainly would have let them know that I was displeased."

So this brings me back to my original question: when you receive bad food/service in a restaurant, do you say something about it to the server/manager, or do you just let it go? Feel free to discuss why or why not.

I never say anything either, I'm always too shy.

Sweeny79 said:

Really? I used to be like that too, but not anymore. It gotten to the point of where it kept happening over and over again, and I knew it had to end somewhere.

I fucking go bananas I'm like, motherfuckers I'm paying for this shit and you're fucking around with MY intestines. On somebody else's buck you twats! On somebody else's buck! Laters

Then I just quietly leave after my rant

Bad service or bad food I never let it go. You are the paying customer. If the manager really cares about customer service he/she will do what they can to take care of you.

never piss off your server!!

It's never happened to me. The worst thing that ever happens to me is when I run out of Honey Mustard sauce

The service here in Japan is always impeccable so there's no reason to complain. And if the food is bad it's usually because you've gone to a very cheap place, so it's to be expected.

I actually like a lot of things about Japanese restaurants, especially:

1) You press a button on the table when you're ready to order, and they then show up within a few seconds. This way you don't have to put up with endless "Are you ready to order?" or "Would you like something to drink to start with?". You simply order when you're good and ready without even having to wave or get eye contact in order to get attention.

2) You don't have to ask for the bill. They leave it at your table and when you're ready to pay you bring it to the register by the exit. This is the case even at most fine dining restaurants.

3) You never tip. They would be insulted and confused if you did.

4) You never get a grumpy server. Even if they're having a bad day they will still be very polite and service-minded.

There are also a few things I don't like, for example:

1) The menu is very unflexible. If you ask to add something or take something away from the dishes it usually just leads to a worried look on the server's face and nothing else.

2) The portions are nearly always very small.

retina said:

I wish they had buttons here! that is a great idea!

and the portions are probably only small to huge gaijins

ZombieKitten said:[quote]

retina said:

You'd drive them nuts pushing the button

YEEEEES? What does the lady want NOW?

PANDURITO said:[quote]

ZombieKitten said:

I haven't been in a plane or in hospital for such a long time!

Depends... if it's a place I go to often I might bring it up if something is off with my meal or I might let them know it & just order something else.

If it's a new place I probably just wouldn't return...

senik said:

I don't think I've ever complained in a restaurant. You never know what they'll do to your food. But if you know the owners and you're a regular customer, you're probably off to a better start.

What's worse, I think, are serial complainers. Who go out of their way to find something to moan about. I know this girl who every time I've been to a restaurant with her, finds something to complain about. Once it was the air conditioning, another time the service, always something. Embarrassing. I'd ban her if she walked in my restaurant.

really depends upon the case.

If it is a new place we just will not go back.

However when ever asked, I've never been heard saying the genral "good" I tell the asker what it is I think they need hear.

it takes a LOT to make me complain. a LOT.

as far as service goes, i've learned to make my opinions clear by way of my tip. if we had a great server, i am from the school of putting in a couple extra dollars on top of what is standard. if the service was completely neglectful, i have no problem leaving next to nothing.

as far as the quality of the food goes, if they can correct something that's wrong with my meal, i'm good to go. all too often, when i order a veggie dish at a non-veggie-specific restaurant, i'll end up with a meal with fish or chicken in it. i tell the server i didn't order this and i don't eat meat, and they bring another plate sans flesh. no biggie.

Anx said:

Same as me. But I think the US has more of a tipping 'culture' than we do. If someone gives me good service, they get a decent tip. Bad service, have my shrapnel (loose change).


I went to this godawful restaurant in Amsterdam once. Horrible food, terrible service. None of us were satisfied and we all decided to leave without leaving a tip. I'm *sure* the waiter overheard us as - next minute - he came up to our table with the bill, a calculator and started working out what we owed INCLUDING the tip. I was, like, Cheeky

Having said that I was too much of a pussy to complain and we paid up anyway.

onenitealone said:

I had a buddy who worked in the kitchen of a restaurant. And whenever someone would complain about the food and it was taken back to the kitchen the cook would spit in their new serving. Think about that the next time you complain.

Spats said:

A friend, huh?
SPATS!!!

Spats said:

yes and this happens in many many restaurants...watch the movie "Waiting" for more information about these situations. I make sure I complain after i'm done eating what i can, and then just go somewhere else.

Spats said:

That's exactly why I won't complain in restaurants!

I read somewhere, the other day, about some guy in Florida who was taken to court and imprisoned for spitting in someone's food. The customer found out and took him to court.
[Edited 6/29/06 0:40am]

onenitealone said:

This stuff happens more than the general public would care to even know bout.

my first job was at a McDs and the things I saw there was something that would disgust a person with a scat fetish

lazycrockett said:

I think if I knew these things, it'd put me off eating anywhere in public again.

If I am dissatisfied about services or products, I will voice my dissatisfaction. I'll do it politely, but Im not gonna let it slide if Im paying good money.
[Edited 6/29/06 8:26am]

lazycrockett said:

My first job was at McDonalds as well and I had similar experiences. I havent eaten at McDonalds for over 10 years.

If it's really bad food, I'll send it back and not get any replacement. I just say I lost my appetite, which is usually true anyway.
For REALLY bad service I've left one or two pennies for tips. That way they know I was unhappy and not just stiffing them. Too bad for them because I usually leave large tips.