FabSwingers.com forum: Do you complain?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

So just been for a meal at a itallian. It was safe to say the worst meal I've ever had. It was really gross.

But when the waitress asked us if everything was OK we both me and my date nodded our heads

Neither one of us would complain and we paid the bill in full after the meal.

So are you good at complaining?

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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

I have sent food back. I don't pay to have something I could ruin at home.

The kids hate it when I'm with them, remind me that we're British and it's just not right to send the food back or complain about it.

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By *a Fee VerteWoman
over a year ago

Limbo

Yeah, if I've paid for a product or service which doesn't live up to expectations I'm not afraid to say so. I'm always polite and factual but don't like being taken for a mug whether that's accidental or deliberate.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Of course not.

We're British.

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

I'm pretty crap at it, if the food is edible and the right temperature, then I just get it down ma neck. My ex on the other hand has sent many a waiter back to the kitchen with a flea in his ear and demanded absolute perfection, even at a £15 per head type meal

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’m amazing at complaining, obviously I don’t go out my way t complain and only do it when there’s a good enough reason for it. So far this year I’ve saved myself nearly £400 from compensation and goodwill gestures

M x

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By *hedevilwearspradaWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere nearby

I will complain if there is an issue. Generally wouldn’t take another meal though, after an ex who was a chef told me the kind of stuff they did to the food of complainers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Depends on what. I wouldn't complain about the food but I would never go there again.

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By *hubaysiWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

I would never complain about food in a restaurant because the food brought back to you will contain bodily fluids. I knew a chef who told me secrets what he did to moaning minnies. I just never return to said restaurant rather than complain.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I do complain but not very often, and only if something really isn't acceptable. I always do it politely and never cause a scene.

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By *iscean MaleMan
over a year ago

Darlaston

Complain yes.. but tend not to in restaurants due to chef scare stories. Much prefered to pay for the drinks and leave the food and leave.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

To be fair, I work in the hospitality industry and looking at our TripAdvisor reviews, I tend to roll my eyes when a customer leaves a bad review over something that could have been easily resolved if they'd mentioned it to a member of staff. That also works for the company, because happy guest - happy review - more business.

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

Yup that’s why I’m typing this in a suite. I got here wasn’t happy with what I was promised and what I booked.

I complained respectfully and outlined what I wanted to rectify my disappointment. And I got it.

If there are grounds for a complaint I go for it.

On the flip side if I get good service I go out of my way to give thanks. I often email companies with examples of good service. I also often get free stuff for doing so!

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By *onnyeasygoingMan
over a year ago

Somewhere on the M62 between 24 and 14

Do I complain.. Hell yer. If something's wrong with the order why should I pay for it? I don't go in work and do a half an arsed job and expect clients still to pay top dollar.

If I ask for brown sauce on my sausage butty. I damn well want brown sauce..

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By *good-being-badMan
over a year ago

mis-types and auto corrects leads cock leeds

If I think it's justifiable.. yep I'll complain.. if it's crap I wouldn't eat it if it were free so when I'm paying for goods or services I expect a certain standard.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I think I really need to become more assertive everything was bad, service, meal, wine but we both kept stum.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

I sometimes complain and sometimes don't. We've found that good restaurants or hotels will query why you've left food and offer recompense so there's no need to complain.

I recently complained about the service in a café and the state of their lavatories, they sent me a £20 voucher and said they would speak to staff.

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By *o new WinksMan
over a year ago

BSE

Always complain if it is justified.

I don't like it, but it helps that business to know where they are failing.

I have complained in Michelin Star restaurants and been treated well. I always take a discount and free drinks rather than another meal...for reasons mentioned already

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

If it’s bad then mention it in a respectful manner and point out the bad things but also if any what they got right..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm reluctant to complain not because I'm British, but more because I've seen what half arsed chefs do to dishes of complaining customers

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I refuse to give my hard earned money to Frankie and Bennys their food is vile

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I refuse to give my hard earned money to Frankie and Bennys their food is vile "

Yeah if it was frankie and bennys you are asking for trouble. Can't think of one half decent chain restaurant really... maybe Wagamama

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’d never send my food back to the kitchen and accept another dish, guarantee it’ll come back out with an extra ingredient.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I refuse to give my hard earned money to Frankie and Bennys their food is vile "

This was a independent itallian in the next village. Everything was shit. The wine, the starter and the main. Even the waitress was dressed in what I would call my cleaning clothes. Was shocking.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You never ask, you mever get ??

No point to stay quiet about things, but that doesn’t mean you complain

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By *ady LickWoman
over a year ago

Northampton Somewhere

If I'm not happy with something of course I'll complain, I'm not spending my money on something I think is poor quality.

The last thing I complained about was a really fatty steak. I was happy to have it replaced but after reading some of the comments above I'm not sure I will again!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Complaining about food might not be the best idea

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If I'm not happy with something of course I'll complain, I'm not spending my money on something I think is poor quality.

The last thing I complained about was a really fatty steak. I was happy to have it replaced but after reading some of the comments above I'm not sure I will again!!!

Never mess with people who handle your food haha

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So just been for a meal at a itallian. It was safe to say the worst meal I've ever had. It was really gross.

But when the waitress asked us if everything was OK we both me and my date nodded our heads

Neither one of us would complain and we paid the bill in full after the meal.

So are you good at complaining? "

Yes...

Having worked in restaurants i know they would rather know if the food was awful so I am not shy in saying if there is a problem..

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By *hubaysiWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

"If I'm not happy with something of course I'll complain, I'm not spending my money on something I think is poor quality.

The last thing I complained about was a really fatty steak. I was happy to have it replaced but after reading some of the comments above I'm not sure I will again!!!

Was there a funny tasting sauce on the steak? That’s the extra ingredient or chef will go for a p**s, not wash his hands and cook your replacement or roll it in kitchen floor dust rather than flour

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By *ady LickWoman
over a year ago

Northampton Somewhere

"If I'm not happy with something of course I'll complain, I'm not spending my money on something I think is poor quality.

The last thing I complained about was a really fatty steak. I was happy to have it replaced but after reading some of the comments above I'm not sure I will again!!!

Was there a funny tasting sauce on the steak? That’s the extra ingredient or chef will go for a p**s, not wash his hands and cook your replacement or roll it in kitchen floor dust rather than flour

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You can say you don't like something without complaining x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Depends. Restaurant etc then no, i’d just not go there again.

For everything else i use strongly worded letters of complaint.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

I have started to complain, had quite a few free meals from it as well.

I try not to swear or get aggressive, that way you tend to be treated better.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"You can say you don't like something without complaining x"

Not sure you can. As soon as you say you don't like something it is a complaint by definition

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I complain even in McDonald's

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes i complain because i want the best value for money

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Being somewhat Americanised

I have sent something back if I know there’s a great chance of food poisoning or if it tastes really off such as sugar replaced by salt.

But I’ve been learning the British way.

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By *usthere8Man
over a year ago

Ealing

If your going out for a meal it should be worth going out for a meal. You can complain but do it the right way. Most people complain with an arrogant condensing tone. If you explain what was wrong then more than likely something will happen.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If your going out for a meal it should be worth going out for a meal. You can complain but do it the right way. Most people complain with an arrogant condensing tone. If you explain what was wrong then more than likely something will happen."

More like raising a concern than saying how shit the food was?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh hell yes. If I'm paying for a meal in a restaurant I expect it to be of a high quality. At McDonald's I expect a poor quality burger, at an Italian restaurant I expect quality pastas, fleshly made sauces, hand made breads, if a restaurant doesn't give me a meal that reflects the cost of it I don't pay it.

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By *irestorm 500Couple
over a year ago

coventry

Definitely would and have complained in the past, you are paying for the meal if you had brought something and it wasn't up to scratch you'd take it back x storm x

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I generally will guide service providers to improve their offering. I'm also happy not to pay if they aren't interested. I expect good things when I'm paying and assume that they want me to be happy with them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Was there a funny tasting sauce on the steak? That’s the extra ingredient or chef will go for a p**s, not wash his hands and cook your replacement or roll it in kitchen floor dust rather than flour

To be honest any chef who would do that over a complaint, would do it and worse to all customers.

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By *inzi LTV/TS
over a year ago

The Garden of Eden in Beautiful North Wales

Sorry, crap food is crap food. You can't dress it up!

At the moment I'm watching Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares... tell them and refuse to pay.

Would you open your front door and throw X amount of £'s down the street?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"You can say you don't like something without complaining x

Not sure you can. As soon as you say you don't like something it is a complaint by definition "

I've done it a few times. Just say it wasn't what you expected or you've had it before and it doesn't taste the same. You don't have to even say you don't like it. It's just different. You can even compliment them on other stuff while you do it and turn it into a positive. I've complained without complaining and got compliments back lol x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm very good at complaining if it's justified. I find if you're constructive and fair with your complaint it's amazing what you get in return. If you shout the odds and make a scene then I don't think helps you or the service your complaining about. I never liked been on the receiving end of a complaint, but often a complaint is a way of highlightng a problem you're not aware of. So by being highlighted it gives the restaurant or whatever the opportunity to resolve it. If you don't then their service will never get better.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hmmm.

Not sure....

I complained often and directly to my ex that she wasn't up to my standard in the sack.

I'm no porn star but I know what I'm doing however I couldn't get a tune out of this one so my complaints became more frequent which led to a break up and her in therapy.

Not "good" but problem solved

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By *hips n FursMan
over a year ago

Huddersfield

I have complained when asked about a meal. When asked I've told the waiting on staff that the meal didn't match the front of house

service. Normally I get a reduced bill and they still get tipped for doing their best. I would never send any food back unless I'd been given the wrong meal by mistake.

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By *lceeWoman
over a year ago

Leeds

I make a decision based on how bad it is. I refuse to eat sub-par food - having waitressed and cheffed for years, I would have been mortified if I came to clear the table and most of the food was still on the plate...I would have been upset that someone hadn’t flagged it to me so we could make it right.

So I’ll usually catch their attention and explain if I’m not happy.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I make a decision based on how bad it is. I refuse to eat sub-par food - having waitressed and cheffed for years, I would have been mortified if I came to clear the table and most of the food was still on the plate...I would have been upset that someone hadn’t flagged it to me so we could make it right.

So I’ll usually catch their attention and explain if I’m not happy. "

Well that gives me a little comfort ....

TBH I'm happy to complain about anything and I'm reasonably good at it however I have never complained about food!

I just don't trust the integrity of most kitchens to put it right

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By *eesideMan
over a year ago

margate sumwear by the sea

If i eat out at a restaurant and the food is not to standard then yes i do complain.

It Onley costs them at the most £3-£4 a plate anyway. The rest of the charg is staff, laber, maintenance and sum places a tip to.

So if its not up to standards I'll send it back and request a fresh 1.

That sed 99% of the time its good quality and no complaints are made

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By *plpxp2Couple
over a year ago

Middlesbrough

Have always had a balanced view, if food / service is very good then we often speak to a manager on the way out to say well done, from their reactions it is clear that is quite rare. However if it is poor then we'll equally highlight this, after all how will things improve unless you make them aware.

Lots of experience in the US, raise an issue there and without any hassle the cost of the meal is generally written off and you're given a voucher for the same value. Basically sorry and please try us again to prove we can do better. The UK has a long way to go when it comes to customer service.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"To be fair, I work in the hospitality industry and looking at our TripAdvisor reviews, I tend to roll my eyes when a customer leaves a bad review over something that could have been easily resolved if they'd mentioned it to a member of staff. That also works for the company, because happy guest - happy review - more business. "

This is totally true.

Can't stand it when customers are all smiles to your face and then go online and slag you off.

As for the people saying about chefs doing nasty things to food, I've never come across it myself. I joke about it with our chefs but that's all it is. We want our customers to leave happy, not ill!

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

Yes. All the time. I hate bad service. Most recently I complained about having to wait 4 hours for my hire car to be delivered so got the weeks rental free (although that's a win for the company I work for

I've also complained on behalf of someone on here and got them £25 to compensate them for petrol costs.

I'm don't have overly high expectations but I do expect decent service.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I dont complain but i vote with my feet... Shit food or service and i simply wont come back

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By *abs..Woman
over a year ago

I’m more likely to complain about poor service than the food, although I’ve rarely had a need.

I did once tell a restaurant manager that I would only pay for what I had eaten and not the poor quality food I had left on my plate. Nobody had checked throughout the meal to see if I was happy with the meal so I didn’t think I should pay for something that I felt was poor quality.

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By *ransGuyTV/TS
over a year ago

Cardiff

When it comes to food, unless it's inedible, I don't say anything, I just don't come back. I'd rather not piss off the chef! I'm not a fan of secret ingredients!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I dont complain but i vote with my feet... Shit food or service and i simply wont come back"

This for me too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Im like victor meldrew

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So just been for a meal at a itallian. It was safe to say the worst meal I've ever had. It was really gross.

But when the waitress asked us if everything was OK we both me and my date nodded our heads

Neither one of us would complain and we paid the bill in full after the meal.

So are you good at complaining? "
I wouldn't spoil a date because of it maybe complain another time

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I never complain, even if it was bad.

Great shag love #youknowwhoyouare

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have "professional " complainers come to my place of employment.

One ordered the wrong thing off the menu then kicked off when it arrived.

She shouted in her loudest, I was born with a plumb in my mouth voice.

Needless to say, that kind of behaviour only gets my back up and by the end she was apologising profusely.

If a customer has a genuine issue then I'm more than happy to hear it and deal with it appropriately, be that a fresh meal or money off.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Would a chef really risk the possible lawsuits or prosecutions from adding extra 'special" ingredients?

If a customer notices and complains about little things wrong then they may notice an attempt to poison them and complain,not to the restaurant.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

To be honest im a little direct at times sometimes its uncomfortable but if i dont spit it out it plays on my mind

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean

I don't call it complaining.

I call it pointing out ways of improving goods and services.

I'm never condescending.

I act humble and grateful when my meal or goods are changed.

I up it a level if they think for one moment i'll accept less than what I was offered.

I don't lose or embarrass.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't call it complaining.

I call it pointing out ways of improving goods and services.

I'm never condescending.

I act humble and grateful when my meal or goods are changed.

I up it a level if they think for one moment i'll accept less than what I was offered.

I don't lose or embarrass. "

You are super cool

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By *ara JTV/TS
over a year ago

Bristol East

"So just been for a meal at a itallian. It was safe to say the worst meal I've ever had. It was really gross.

But when the waitress asked us if everything was OK we both me and my date nodded our heads

Neither one of us would complain and we paid the bill in full after the meal.

So are you good at complaining? "

If you assume the restaurant cares about its quality and reputation, then it would value the feedback when something is not right. Otherwise, it has no idea its product is crap and thinks everything is OK.

I think the word "complain" puts people off. It's simply communication, to let a supplier know that their product doesn't meet the standard you expected.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

King's Crustacean

P.S. I cringe inside with embarrassment if I hear someone loud , rude, agressive who thinks they have a right to denegrate others for an oversight or mistake.

I always want to lay them out with one fell swoop ...... bastards.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"P.S. I cringe inside with embarrassment if I hear someone loud , rude, agressive who thinks they have a right to denegrate others for an oversight or mistake.

I always want to lay them out with one fell swoop ...... bastards. "

Ahh ha! Interesting, what would you do if they were trying to scam you?

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