Its funny I can complain about many things but I rarely complain about meal as I hate a night out spoilt by complaining. Its something however I believe we should complain about as its not cheap eating out now!!!!!!! Went out last Saturday for a meal with Martell Notts and big group of people. It cost a lot of money and a number of things went wrong. We did not complain. Went to Centre Parcs with bunch of women not l;ong ago and meal was horrible - we complained and got 3 free bottles of wine lol
Just my opinion, but in the main, the British do seem extremely reserved about receiving poor service in general.
Just by the nature of my job, I spend a lot of time in restaurants and the amount of times I notice a couple on the next table complaining about the food, service or both.
The waitress walks over and asks if everything is ok and what is there reply?
Yes, fine thank you
FFS Why????????
This so bloody gets me riled. So much so, last year a couple had spent 10 minutes telling each other how bad everything was, waitress walks over, they give the usual reply, I stand up, walk over and say my two penneth. I think I embarrassed the guy, because he finally spoke up.
He went to talk to someone and his partner leaned over and thanked me, being completely honest and saying that they would never think about complaining.
Fingers crossed, in the future they would be a bit more vocal when receiving bad service.
I do complain occasionaly but mostly just vote with my feet.
complaining !!!!!
thats a female thing isn't it
Yes I complain. I work hard for my money (says she, having just started a six-week holiday!) and don't expect to spend it on crappy service or goods.
I've worked in customer services and, like DF, have worked in the catering industry, so have been at the receiving end of irate customers/guests. With that in mind, I always start off being polite but insistent and then get increasingly louder if they become twatty with me. You don't have to swear or anything; just increasing your voice level somewhat, means they come around to your way of thinking because other customers might hear.
Ever wondered why customer services are always tucked away in a corner? Because you get people being gobby when they don't get satisfactory service!
I’m going to have to agree with Darkfire on this one.
I do believe the Great British Public is getting better at complaining; however it is about how you complain.
Having been on the end of customer service complaints (some in a previous job where I was threatened to be killed - nice!) some of them were justified in complaining as belongings had gone missing/damaged/miss directed, (but threats verbal/physical abuse is unacceptable) I can ensure you people are willing to complain. However I was much more willing to help those out who put there case forward politely than those who screamed and balled.
I am now in a position where I am monitoring aggressive complaints and I am seeing an increasing trend, which I am trying to address by speaking to our management to improve our systems.
What you also have to remember is that even though people may not complain at the time they will probably tell at least 10 people about the bad service, whereas if they get good service they may tell 1 or 2 people.
So do the British complain - Yes but not always to the right person!
I've been lucky enough so far not to have to complain about service much but I have no qualms about it when I have to. I did send my food back once at a restaurant when I ordered a mixed grill. The pork chop was still raw! :shock: I only had to mention food poisoning and I had a replacement meal ( not another mixed grill I hasten to add ) and they didn't charge us for any of our meal or drinks.
I think we ARE too reserved on the whole which we shouldn't be. If you don't feel the service or products are up to standard then why shouldn't we say something?
A complaint is an opportunity to improve, so do the company a favour complain.
I have no qualms about complaining - and what with me being such a shrinking violet! :shock:
I like to think that I complain in a polite and reasonable manner - i.e. if my steak is over cooked I'm not going to start ranting at the waitress as it isn't her fault.
i'll complain like the next guy but when i had my own catering business at an auction i complained to a customer 4 not complaining, while collecting plates cups up, this guy had ordered 2 potatoes with cheese, obviuosly he didnt like them (overcooked) so i bollocked him 4 not complaining his face was a picture, anyway we gave him 2 beefburgers and tea in exchange.
I complain when things fail to meet my expectations. My ex boyfriend, being British, did not complain. He prefered feeling miserable but not breaking anyone's heart. So when the food at the expensive Milan hotel came and was crap, I called the waitress over and complained. Told her the food was smelling awful (it had a lavatory smell, honestly!) and was completely wrongly cooked (even a child wouldn't have presented such a meal). She explained their chef was off for the night and they were trying to manage on few staff. She managed to get me a fillet steak grilled with some salad. My ex did not want his meal changed and ate it whilst salivating over mine then spent the rest of the night asking himself why didn't he have the guts to change his food, too. The following night the manager was in and apparently had been told of what had happened. He was very polite with me and even gave me a double portion of desert. My ex asked how come he didn't get a double portion and the manager just smiled and said it was because they had made me unhappy the previous night and he wanted to make it up to me. So my ex spent another night fuming whilst I was giggling my head off and teasing him mercilessly in bed. I think it is important when you complain to know what you are complaining about, be firm, demand in a nice way they rectify the mistake and thank them genuinely for putting things right afterwards.
) - if I am paying for something then I expect to get either the service or product that I've forked out for.
but it's always embarassed my Mum who would leave an unedible meal and pay and tip :shock: rather than complain about it.
Good job you were not at the West Sussex social last year.... A group of us went into the pub and ordered a meal, it took an age to come (about an hour I think) and when it arrived the kids food was a pathetic attempt at a meal and was all dried up... I complained bitterly and made them take it away and bring a proper meal out for them with freshly cooked food.... We got the kids meals free 
:lol: - and there certainly wont be an apology :rude: :lol: 
