Comments on: 6 tips for successful complaining

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:29:17 +0000

So true Cedric – I always worry about that ‘magic’ touch if I make a complaint before I have my food in front of me!

By: Cedric

Cedric — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:59:46 +0000

Haha. Guess Filipinos complain the same way as Brits. But yeah, if you can find a way to solve the problem with a compromise, then do that. And oh, don’t complain violently while your order hasn’t arrived yet. Disgrunted employees might do some magic with your food before serving it.

By: Ian and Wendy Sewell

Ian and Wendy Sewell — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:23:01 +0000

This is when I slink away and let Ian do the talking! LOL! You make a very good point, though. Complaining about things afterward doesn’t help and offers the business no chance to make it right!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:21:23 +0000

Thank you Guurbi and Steve for your thoughtful comments. Agree that if people are up front about specific requests they are less likely to be surprised and have reason to complain. Us Brits are so rubbish at raising an issue – but as you both suggest, management will normally do their best to help, if only they know what help is wanted.
Good point Steve about professional complainers – they must be a nightmare for all those working in hospitality. Your example made me smile. We sat in a Indian restaurant and watched in embarrassment as a couple complained to the Indian chef that he didn’t know how to cook a pasanda curry. What qualified her to be an expert? Well, this one was a different colour to the one her take-away serves… what hope is there when faced with someone like that…

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:22:34 +0000

I have always worked in hospitality and am always the first person to go out of my way to fix a known issue. Hate those people that complain unneccessarily or expect the world for the slightest issue – wanting entire bills for free or a round of drinks for the whole table when only one person waiting an extra minute on their meal. Worst is when they complain about how their steak is cooked yet they don’t have a clue how they ordered it or how it is meant to be cooked if they ask for rare…

By: Guurrbi

Guurrbi — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:37:41 +0000

A Spanish friend with a restaurant commented to me (a Brit) on the difference between British and German customers as follows. The British customer would behave just as you describe – saying everything’s fine (when it wasn’t), but then go and tell everyone how dissatisfied he’d been. The German customer would ask to speak to the chef, and explain, in detail, how he liked his eggs/steak/fish cooked – and then return to the same restaurant the next day for another meal. Result? Restaurant owner happy – customer happy. It’s a story worth remembering when you’re having a lousy meal!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:32:29 +0000

Thanks Dave and Deb, and you guys are a great example of how to complain well, in your recent experiences in India are anything to go by. You seemed to handle a difficult situation very well. http://su.pr/1ALnT8

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:43:20 +0000

Haha! That sounds like a Canadian too. Dave said to me while we were reading it…”That’s you!” I have a problem with being polite. But you are right, complaining properly is the key.