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Terrible Cafe Service - what would you do?

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Who Dares Wins

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I can't believe what just happened an hour ago.

Its Fathers Day, my wife said she would take us all out for lunch. We arrived at a local cafe/restuarant got a drink and ordered our meals. After 50 minutes and still no food I went to the counter to enquire what was happening. I was told they were busy. OK, this much I understand.

As I returned to our table across the other side of the room and sat down one of the kitchen staff moved over to the serving window and said in a loud voice "Ha, wouldn't wanna be married to him!". For a moment I didn't think it was directed at me but my wife who was facing in that direction saw it and heard it as well.

I was absolutely astounded and very embarrassed due to other people being seated around us.

I told the manager that we had heard the comment and she just said "yeah" and laughed. No apology no nothing. Anywhere else the staff member would have been given a written warning at the least.

I have eaten all around the world from sitting on the footpath in Jo'burg to top 5 star in HongKong and have never been spoken to in such a disrespectful, rude and unprofessional manner before by staff.

I want to do something about this but what? Do I write a letter of complaint or should I publicise the event by writing a letter to the cuisine magazine
 

Gosh, I am so sorry a family gathering was so spoiled for you. Obviously the staff meant for their comment to be heard. I would go back to the Shop and ask to speak to the owner. Or perhaps an internet search might reveal the owners. It is truly disgraceful and quite clearly they did not understand, or perhaps couldnt care less, about the hurt they have caused.
I would have started a scene - if my husband (or any family member) was spoken to like that I wouldnt be able to help myself and would have given them something to remember. I trust you didnt eat there after that?

You could also name and shame them on every internet forum you are on, then contact the cafe owner and send them the print out. Or threaten to do so to at least make them understand the hurt they caused.
 

I'll play devil's advocate here...
So what? You just got served by the world renowned 'Great Aussie SOH', last time i checked people were allowed to have fun & crack a joke in the work place. Are you sure you weren't just being a little precious? Does it really take that little to embarrass you?
What kind of establishment were you in? If it was 5 star, i'd be with you on this. If it was Jim-Bobs trucking pull-in i'd be suprised if you didnt cop some. It's all relative to expectations.

Not making light of your complaint, it just takes more to rattle my cage.
A letter of complaint to the establishment, or asking to talk to the owner would be suitable. Writing to the cuisine magazine maybe going a little over the top.
 
Prospector said:
So, if a customer walks into a shop and says to a random staff member "Crikeys, wouldnt want to be married to you" would that be OK too? I am betting the customer would be asked to leave.

Click to expand...

Or maybe they would be told to 'take a look in the mirror' and that would be the end of it
 
Who Dares Wins said:
I told the manager that we had heard the comment and she just said "yeah" and laughed. No apology no nothing. Anywhere else the staff member would have been given a written warning at the least.
Click to expand...
If faced with a similar situation I would be inclined to demand money back and leave.

With staff attitude like that whose to say they did not spit in the food (or similar) before serving it.
 
I am surprised you didnt say anything to the Manager there and then when you brought it up

You should have said what you thought about the whole thing and her face wouldnt be smiling anymore....

then waited for an answer..
 
drsmith said:
With staff attitude like that whose to say they did not spit in the food (or similar) before serving it.
Click to expand...

That's drawing a long bow. Maybe they wash food and dishes in the toilet bowl, and do their number 1s & 2s in the sink.
 
Prospector said:
I trust you didnt eat there after that?
Click to expand...

well you know what? We did.....I know!

We just sat there stunned after we'd heard what was said. And its not like you have a plan up our sleeve for when we are spoken to like that. Its a strange thing because when we walked out and got in the car we said to each other - you know what we should've just got up and left.

Springhill commented was it 5 star or a truckies pull-in. Neither. Certainly not 5 star but a nice small place by the sea nonetheless.
 
I am betting I wouldnt want to eat in springhill's cafe...You are right about the Crows winning the AFL in 09! :
 
Prospector said:
I am betting I wouldnt want to eat in springhill's cafe...You are right about the Crows winning the AFL in 09! :
Click to expand...

But you get a free side serve of abuse with every main ordered
Hoping Saints win today, so we can send Pies packing in straight sets. Tough run if it pans out that way Bombers, Pies, Cats then Saints in the GF. Record against the top 4 is not good!
 
Pretty obviously the staff aren't doing the business any favours with this sort of behaviour. So on the face of it someone ought to be sacked ASAP before the business ends up broke due to lack of customers.

But there's always the possibiltiy that the owner is shafting the staff in some way and the behaviour is simply a payback for that. It's not at all uncommon to find that sort of thing going on and hospitality is an industry where such behaviour from bosses is fairly easy to get away with.

Personally, I'd simply have informed them that I was leaving (without paying for food ordered) and the reason, stating that I would only speak to the owner (not the manager) should they have any problems with that. Then simply walk out.
 
Yep ... standards are slipping alright WHo Dares Wins. You should NEVER allow this sort of behaviour from an establishment that is in the "service" industry. It is the type of attitude that springhill possess's that will keep this country on the slippery slope to ruination within the "service" industry. Take it as an Aussie joke? PIGS @RSE you should. You should not be placed in a situation whereby you have to retort to staff because they are "having a go" at you . NEVER This is not an episode of Fawlty Towers and John Cleese the maitr'e D for CHRISSAKE. I would be writing a letter to the cafe'/restaurant owner explaining the indignity of the matter. If their attitude is to brush you off then go to the press. Tell everyone you know and embelish the story for good measure. If you go to an eating establishment then you should not have personal abuse as a side dish that you did not order. Standards are slipping !!
 
Go to a pub next time and get a counter lunch.

Usually better priced and far better service than many of the cafes you can frequent.
 
Regardless of the causese or reasons it is a serious failure of Australian society. Why do Australians feel the need to not bond and be respectful?
 

???? WOW what a bunch of princesses we have around here, i take it you've never said anything out of line/that was misconstrued at the workplace? Oh to be as perfect as you.
Yes, its my attitude of not breaking into tears at every insult, or letting one comment spoil my lunch that is 'ruining the service industry'.
Get over yourself.
 

You may refer to my as Princess Trainspotter from here on in. We are not on a building site with brickies crack for entree' and the F word flowing with the insults. They were in a cafe', you know, those places where you get served food and you pay them money? Last time I checked abuse was not on the menu for asking a valid question in regards to the timeframe of service. Sounds like you must get a lot of insults as it does not seem to effect you there springhill? So what is next? Where do we say enough is enough? No, I am not going to accept this kind of BAD service anymore. Do we let it continue until this becomes the normal standard? I don't think so ! Having travelled a bit and dined in several overseas countries (including some of the dodgiest looking places) the service was always at the forefront. The food was so so in most of them but I could not complain about the attentiveness of the staff. NEVER rude.
 
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