Successful Complaints in a Restaurant

Filed in archive Latin Culture on June 4, 2008

© yanec


Ever watched someone have an unholy fit mid restaurant because their meat was overcooked? I have, and frankly it's embarrassing.

That said, I'm not shy about complaining when there's a problem. I think that if you're paying for food and service, you should get an acceptable version of both...without resorting to a full-scale PMS demo that interrupts everyone's conversations.

In chatting with friends about how to handle restaurant complaints without worrying that your food will be targeted by a ticked off waiter, I found this great little video on VideoJug.

The best line in it is, "But help is at hand with this easy-to-use no-rage guide to complaining that even the British would feel comfortable using."

It's useful, but so very British that it's funny.

A site from Spain with text in Spanish and audio that reads it to you adds elements like greeting people when you arrive, not walking in right at closing and expecting service, consideration, and other niceties that are culturally expected-and a good idea even where it's not expected.

So what is a successful complaint? To me it's one that ends with a happy client and happy staff, so that I can return without waiters drawing straws in the back to see who gets the crazy chick that Freaked out on them last time.