Is this a lie?

Question

My waitress just asked me if everything is ok. I said, "Sure. Thank you!"

The eggs are cold, the gravy is too thick, the toast was too dark and the milk costs too much.

Did I lie?

Are we better off if we tell the truth?

Should I feel guilty? Will God punish me for deceiving her?

Answer 1

The eggs being cold is not acceptable, unless you asked for cold hard boiled eggs or something. Did you tell her when you ordered how thick you wanted the gravy? Did you tell her how dark you wanted the toast? Were you unaware how much the milk cost when you ordered?

If you answer "no" to all the above questions, then the only thing out of whack was the cold eggs. However, let us also say the restaurant offered cold hard boiled eggs, you ordered them and when they came, they were colder than you expected. That means the restaurant didn't do anything directly contrary to what you requested. In that *sense* you can say everything is okay, meaning they gave you what you requested without knowing *exactly* how you wanted everything. Similarly, you shouldn't expect a Big Mac at a Burger King. If you want a Big Mac, order a Whopper and they bring you a Whopper, you can't fault Burger King for that. :-)

If the above is not the case, I think you should have said, "This is not the way I like this kind of meal prepared;" and yes, you lied; you should feel guilty; you should repent.

Answer 2

You did a disservice to the staff and the restaurant. They NEED to know if they are not giving good service or if there are problems with the food. You can, however, be NICE when you do it.
Example: went to Chili's a place known for the Awesome Blossom--a wonderful fried onion thing. The one we got had not been prepped well and have MANY hard inedible pieces causing us eaters to have to remove bits from our mouths--not a pretty sight on the plate but no where near able to swallow! We politly told the waitperson that we had a problem with our appetizer and asked for the manager. We showed the evidence and said that this one was not properly cut to remove the bad parts and to please tell the kitchen staff that this one was not up tot he standards we had previously enjoyed. Maybe a new person was back there. We did NOT demand a refund or act snotty or rudely. We WANT to go back and enjoy this item again so it is to our advantage, and the advantage of other patrons and the restaurnat, if we share things in a way that FIXES them.

You can choose to feel guilty about your 'lie' and IMHO it was a lie unless you think that kind of food is okay. It is at your grandmas house when she did her best but not when you pay $10 for breakfast. Write the place a short note expressing concerns about your experience. Tell them you want to eat there again (if you do) but can't enjoy the meal if cold, thick etc. Milk cost--take that up with Uncle Sam. Maybe next time you can ask for hot food, with toast that is slightly tanned--not burnt. Picky people get what they want WHEN they are paying for it.

Answer 3

Can I suggest a simple series of questions?
1. Will my criticism make any difference?
2. Does the person have time to listen to me?
3. Is this the right person to talk to?
4. Am I just feeling lousy or is this a fair criticism?
If you get this far, try the least provocative point first - maybe the cold eggs. Leave the most provocative last - usually the money one. Stop when you sense it's all about to blow up.
No guilt but maybe next time try to make things better - I often find the right thing to say just after I've left a situation.

Answer 4

I don't think so. Yes, technically it is a lie, but yet you could look at it as being kind. But, You should tell her about the eggs and gravy and toast. God knows you shouldn't suffer a horrible breakfast for the sake of kindness!!!

Answer 5

You are so going to hell! Naw, just kidding. But, hey, if it makes you feel any better, the waitress probably couldn't care less if the food was actually good. Just give her a decent tip and then she can pretend to care about the food she serves the next person at that table.

Answer 6

Why did you not tell the truth?

You obviously feel some guilt as you are discussing and asking about it here.

So I guess you did lie,

Perhaps you thought to spare her the pain that the truth would cause had you told her about the service.

Well..at any rate, it can be corrected, next time you go in there, and see her, tell her what you told us here and why and that it concerns you.

And then, afterwards, don't eat there anymore.

Answer 7

You were being polite and civil. Having noted the reality of the situation, the info can provide you with the knowledge that you do not like the service and may want to, therefore, choose another place to have a meal.

Answer 8

By appeasing the waitress with your lies you are contributing to the lowered standards in service we see everywhere. If the meal is inadequate you owe it to the restaurant as well as to other customers to point out those inadequacies. When you settle for less then less is what you will get.

Answer 9

Everybody tells a little lie here and there. No, you're not going to hell because of that. Besides, there's no hell. Everybody goes to the same place after death and we all learn with our mistakes and be born again.

Peace!

Answer 10

I think the answer to this is...find a new resteruant to eat breakfast!! Sounds like you were just trying to be nice, and there's nothing wrong with that.