Do you complain in a restaurant if the food/service is not to your standard?

Question

When taking family/friends out for a meal do you expect a certain service and standard of food.

Answer 1

If it's that bad, then you should say something.

Apparently, by law, if the food is particularly bad and not worth the price that is quoted, you can make an official complaint to the manager and offer to pay what you think is a reasonable sum (bear in mind that you must have a reasonable case - e.g. if you order a lobster that has roughly two mouthfuls of meat in it).

If they decline to accept your offer, you can leave your full address and contact details and walk out, telling them that if they wish to take it further, or accept your offer, to contact you.

Now, theoretically (apparently someone has done this before) they will be screwed. If they try to call the police, they'll just be told not to waste the police's time, as it will be a civil matter. However, if the restaurant is out to get you, they might take you to court - shouldn't win even if they do take this course of action, but...

Answer 2

I do expect a certain standard when I patronize a restaurant. However, if I am entertaining I try to be sure to take guests to a reliable establishment. Should the service be under par I tip accodingly and later call and speak with management. If unsatisfied with response, I contact their corporate office. Lastly, I stop patronizing the place and recommend to others to do so as well.

Answer 3

I certainly do. If the food or service is not up to par, I will definitely complain to the manager about the problem. I generally get discounts and free meals doing this as well, so you do get rewarded for speaking up in most places! I also leave lower tips or no tip at all for bad service and write why on the ticket. That saves me money to tip generously to servers who do an good job.

Answer 4

It depends. If there is something that can be done about the problem - for instance the waiter has brought the wrong dish - I complain. But if it is a more general problem, like a generally surly waiter or waitress, I just don't go to that restaurant again.

I believe it is a difficulty for restaurant owners that people tend not to tell them of problems, but do not come back. Obviously the owners would rather address the problems so that they keep their customers.

Answer 5

Of course I expect excellent service and HOT food when going out to a restaurant and you bet I will complain if my food is cold or I have to wait too long to be served! We can only afford to go out to Dinner a couple times a month maybe, so it better be worth my time and money!!

Answer 6

you should complain if you have a genuine problem and your the person thats paying the bill, dont wait until the meal is eaten ,and i think it should be done privately, to many people complain for little and expect a free dinner , so i would complain , its the right thing to do but have a good reason for doing so . the standard should always be high , no room for sloppiness.

Answer 7

No. I don't complain. I've worked in restaurants and I know what happens when customers complain, I would tell you, but you would puke. I think some of you may have just gotten done eating. If I don't like the food or service, I simply don't go back again and tell all my friends. That usually gets more hygenic results.

Answer 8

Depends on what I am paying...

I would never go into a cheasy family style restaurant and complain because it's your fault for actually expecting good anything to begin with.

If I was 4 star or better and it wasn't up to par... I would say something. Carefully and respectfully though.

The only thing you ever get in a cheasy place for complaining is Lugie spit sauce on your meat!

Answer 9

i almost never complain but one time i ordered a stake and asked for it to be done medium well - it came back to me so rare i had to slaughter the poor animal , no it was really rare so i did tell the waiter and got him to change it . if you're a shrinking violet it may be difficult to speak up but you do have a right to expect food to be presented to a reasonable standard particularly if you are paying what you consider to be a lot of money for it.if someone has set up a restaurant they have a duty to deliver good food.

Answer 10

if your meal is not to a standard you would expect of the establishment complain all you can .things dont get better if they all think everyone is performing 100% if you dont complain things stay the same . if you have a bad experience tell them if its good tell others