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[Jaguar Victory]

Do you pay the restaurant more if you spill something on their table?

Having to pay someone to clean up a really dirty table obviously sucks.

This logic is terrible.

 

[Kurita]

Your whole case ended the second you told the waitress that it wasn't a big deal.

 

[Condom]

Nvm

 

[Two Words]

So if you make an honest mistake as a waitress you should be punished in your already low pay? I think we found another flaw of the tipping system.

What are you talking about?

 

[H.Protagonist]

I am considering it from her perspective. I'm saying from her perspective, she took a risky gamble. In this case, things worked out well for her, but it could have been worse.

I don't think she took a risky gamble. I mean, it's not that you should have to complain about stuff to be shown that extra degree of hospitality, but it was an accident not an oversight, she apologized profusely, and you didn't make a big deal of it. In her eyes, she probably thought that was it/enough. I've worked in restaurants before and employees don't report every little thing to managers. Honestly, they only say something if they think it was bad enough to warrant such a comp. In your case, I don't think she was 'hiding' it or trying to avoid alerting management but more she thought she'd done what she had to. As it didn't seem a particularly pricey place and you made so little of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it was forgotten two seconds later. It's one of those on the edge scenarios. It could have resulted in a comp but to expect one with those details is probably wrong. Not saying you don't have the right to be annoyed just that the expectation is probably off given what happened/where it was.

 

[Condom]

What are you talking about?

I was having a brain fart, just came from work.

 

[Westbahnhof]

Maybe that's how it works in america. That explains a lot actually.

No idea how America works, never been.
Anywhere in this world, if people don't know what you wan't, you will rarely ever get it.
There is no reason to assume management was informed. Obviously, he should have said something.
If the waitress apologizes and he cheerfully accepts it, he can't assume that she'll think he wants more.

 

[Razorback]

No idea how America works, never been.
Anywhere in this world, if people don't know what you won't, you will rarely ever get it.
There is no reason to assume management was informed. Obviously, he should have said something.
If the waitress apologizes and he cheerfully accepts it, he can't assume that she'll think he wants more.

It's not subjective whether or not getting hot soup spilled on your back is a good or bad. It doesn't matter if he said it's fine, it's obviously not fine and he's just being polite.

 

[Screaming Meat]

I've worked in a lot of restaurants. Even if they subtracted the cost of the dry-cleaning, I'd have expected them to comp something just to be nice and secure return custom.

 

[Two Words]

I don't think she took a risky gamble. I mean, it's not that you should have to complain about stuff to be shown that extra degree of hospitality, but it was an accident not an oversight, she apologized profusely, and you didn't make a big deal of it. In her eyes, she probably thought that was it/enough. I've worked in restaurants before and employees don't report every little thing to managers. Honestly, they only say something if they think it was bad enough to warrant such a comp. In your case, I don't think she was 'hiding' it or trying to avoid alerting management but more she thought she'd done what she had to. As it didn't seem a particularly pricey place and you made so little of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it was forgotten two seconds later. It's one of those on the edge scenarios. It could have resulted in a comp but to expect one with those details is probably wrong. Not saying you don't have the right to be annoyed just that the expectation is probably off given what happened/where it was.

She seemed pretty troubled about it. Regardless of how I reacted, she seemed pretty aware of the fact that spilling a bowl of hot soup on a customer is a pretty big mistake. It was an accident, and I didn't want to hold it against her so much for it, but she seemed pretty aware that it wasn't a tiny accident. I would feel the same way if I did something similar even if the person spilled it on did not make a scene about it. I would not think "oh, the guy just doesn't mind it when hot soup is spilled on him. That's neat." I would have thought that the person obviously does not like that hot soup was just spilled on him, but he doesn't want to make a scene or maybe even doesn't want me to get in trouble. If the waitress didn't tell management, I think it is far more likely because she did not want to get in trouble instead of thinking "oh, I guess it really didn't bother him at all."

 

[King Mystery]

When I was out with my family, a waiter at Red Lobster dropped an entire tray on me. It was our food that we had been waiting over 30 minutes for since the place was packed and probably understaffed. They immediately apologized, gave us our entire meal for free to go, and gave me a $100 gift card.

edit: The manager also offered to pay for dry cleaning, but since it was a cheapo $12 shirt, and I thought the food would wash out, I said it wasn't necessary.

 

[Westbahnhof]

It's not subjective whether or not getting hot soup spilled on your back is a good or bad. It doesn't matter if he said it's fine, it's obviously not fine and he's just being polite.

Yeah. So the waitress, a single person, might have made a wrong assumption.
In this case, all OP had to do was speak up later. He obviously saw that he wasn't getting anything when the bill came, yet he said nothing.
If you let "politeness" stop you from getting what you want, it's on you.

(and who said it's subjective? What?)

I've worked in a lot of restaurants. Even if they subtracted the cost of the dry-cleaning, I'd have expected them to comp something just to be nice and secure return custom.

Restaurants are full of new, inexperienced staff. Insecure people. Dumb people.
Management can't comp anything if they don't know.
Blame the waitress if you feel like it, don't blame anyone else.

 

[Two Words]

Yeah. So the waitress, a single person, might have made a wrong assumption.
In this case, all OP had to do was speak up later. He obviously saw that he wasn't getting anything when the bill came, yet he said nothing.
If you let "politeness" stop you from getting what you want, it's on you.

(and who said it's subjective? What?)

This guy just quoted politeness as if it is some concept that he doesn't entirely accept as a real thing. It reads like when people put quote marks around "evolution" because they think it is bunk.

 

[GatorBait]

I'm so confused. Is it not common in America to comp a mistake even if a fuss isnt made? I live in the UK and any time anything has ever been even slightly wrong with my order the servers have bent over backwards to make things right and I never complain beyond making them aware of the mistake (and sometimes not even that, the restaurant will notice something went wrong and immediately offer to compensate). Like I've experienced this to the point of embarrassment where I've had to insist it's not a big deal and there's no need for further compensation.

Hell, a few months ago I went to McDonald's drive thru and asked for some of the cheesy bites. Paid and when we got to the window they said the vat needed cleaning and literally offered us anything off the menu we wanted. We got some free cheeseburgers and stuff and they kept offering to the point we were like dude this is too much food, we're cool here.

I just find this odd. Then again I don't believe any of my servers have ever been fired for a mistake before (we frequent a lot of the same places) so maybe there's less tolerance for mistakes on management's part.

I live in the U.S. and my experiences have been more in line with your's. I have had meals comped proactively many times in my life due to accidents or errors by restaurant staff. I'd expect any restaurant that considers itself to have good customer service would proactively comp a portion of the meal extend another sign of goodwill (e.g., a free dessert). I have actually never had to request a comp from a restaurant in my life because every time I would've considered it, they proactively took care of things.

It's funny that you used the McDonald's example because I had a similar story happen with Papa John's, of all places, recently. Apparently, they gave away my take-out order to someone else who was "posing" as me to get a free pizza (I prepaid via credit card online). So, I had to wait about 10 minutes or so for them to make/bake an entirely new one for me. They offered to make me an extra-large (I ordered a large) or throw in a side/dessert item for free, both of which I declined because I didn't really want the extra food and waiting wasn't a big deal; I was in no rush, could browse GAF for the 10 minutes, and I felt a little sorry that the cashier got duped by the person that stole the pizza. When the pizza was done, they ended up reversing the credit card charge and giving me the pizza for free.

If I ever felt that a restaurant committed an error where some sort of comp was necessary and it wasn't proactively taken care of, I'd request one without a second thought, though. I'm actually pretty surprised of the number of people in this thread that think the OP shouldn't have been comped. Either we have a lot of pushovers in this thread, or taking the contrarian side to someone who feels "entitled" to something must be popular online. I expect the vast majority of people I know would consider it obvious that the restaurant should offer a comp in the OP's situation. Hell, I've been at a table where a free app was brought out merely because a glass of water was knocked over by the waiter onto a friend. Now that I'm thinking of it, just last month a bartender made my friend an entirely new cocktail just because she answered honestly, yet politely, when he asked her how she liked the one she initially ordered (she didn't care for it; it was much sweeter than she was expecting).

 

[Westbahnhof]

This guy just quoted politeness as if it is some concept that he doesn't entirely accept as a real thing. It reads like when people put quote marks around "evolution" because they think it is bunk.

Phew, aren't you fond of bullshit assumptions?
And, apparently, of complaining without addressing the person you have a problem with directly. "This guy".

I don't think it's impolite to complain when you are wronged, and thus, in this scenario, I don't view shutting your mouth (when you still feel like you are owed something) as politeness. Thus: "politeness".

 

[Two Words]

I live in the U.S. and my experiences have been more in line with your's. I have had meals comped proactively many times in my life due to accidents or errors by restaurant staff. I'd expect any restaurant that considers itself to have good customer service would proactively comp a portion of the meal extend another sign of goodwill (e.g., a free dessert). I have actually never had to request a comp from a restaurant in my life because every time I would've considered it, they proactively took care of things.

It's funny that you used the McDonald's example because I had a similar story happen with Papa John's, of all places, recently. Apparently, they gave away my take-out order to someone else who was "posing" as me to get a free pizza (I prepaid via credit card online). So, I had to wait about 10 minutes or so for them to make/bake an entirely new one for me. They offered to make me an extra-large (I ordered a large) or throw in a side/dessert item for free, both of which I declined because I didn't really want the extra food and waiting wasn't a big deal; I was in no rush, could browse GAF for the 10 minutes, and I felt a little sorry that the cashier got duped by the person that stole the pizza. When the pizza was done, they ended up reversing the credit card charge and giving me the pizza for free.

If I ever felt that a restaurant committed an error where some sort of comp was necessary and it wasn't proactively taken care of, I'd request one without a second thought, though. I'm actually pretty surprised of the number of people in this thread that think the OP shouldn't have been comped. Either we have a lot of pushovers in this thread, or taking the contrarian side to someone who feels "entitled" to something must be popular online. I expect the vast majority of people I know would consider it obvious that the restaurant should offer a comp in the OP's situation. Hell, I've been at a table where a free app was brought out merely because a glass of water was knocked over by the waiter onto a friend. Now that I'm thinking of it, just last month a bartender made my friend an entirely new cocktail just because she answered honestly, yet politely, when he asked her how he liked the one she initially ordered (she didn't care for it; it was much sweeter than she was expecting).

Yeah, I have been comped meals before and I didn't have to make a complaint to the management. I have found hair in my food before. I told the waiter/waitress and everything was taken care of. I've had portions of my meal not come through and they took care of it without me talking to management. Honestly, I don't even expect a comped meal unless it is pretty severe. I'd consider stuff like hair in food and food spilled on you to be on the severe side though.

 

[GhaleonEB]

It's not subjective whether or not getting hot soup spilled on your back is a good or bad. It doesn't matter if he said it's fine, it's obviously not fine and he's just being polite.

If you are saying, spilling hot soup on someone is bad, then yes, I think your statement holds.

It's not obvious at all that he's "just being polite". I've told some waiters that something was fine when it was not, just to be nice. And I've told some that a situation was fine when they were freaking out, but it really wasn't a big deal from my vantage point. Waiters are having to constantly make judgment calls about situations and sometimes they get it wrong. They have to rely on what customers are telling them and how they are reacting. It's a very reasonable response to let something like this drop if the customer says it's fine.

 

[H.Protagonist]

She seemed pretty troubled about it. Regardless of how I reacted, she seemed pretty aware of the fact that spilling a bowl of hot soup on a customer is a pretty big mistake. It was an accident, and I didn't want to hold it against her so much for it, but she seemed pretty aware that it wasn't a tiny accident. I would feel the same way if I did something similar even if the person spilled it on did not make a scene about it. I would not think "oh, the guy just doesn't mind it when hot soup is spilled on him. That's neat." I would have thought that the person obviously does not like that hot soup was just spilled on him, but he doesn't want to make a scene or maybe even doesn't want me to get in trouble. If the waitress didn't tell management, I think it is far more likely because she did not want to get in trouble instead of thinking "oh, I guess it really didn't bother him at all."

You keep framing it so extreme. I doubt her thought process was "oh, the guy just doesn't mind it when hot soup is spilled on him. That's neat." She knew she messed up, knows it's a big mistake, and gave what was probably a very sincere apology, and your reaction/degree of whatever happened may not have looked as bad to her as it felt to you, especially if you downplayed it. Again, if it wasn't a particularly pricey place they're not going to be as accommodating for every little thing that happens. I'm not saying that's the way it should be, but it's perfectly understandable why that might have been the case. It doesn't have to be a case of malicious or willing oversight.

 

[Budi]

Phew, aren't you fond of bullshit assumptions?
And, apparently, of complaining without addressing the person directly. "This guy".

I don't think it's impolite to complain when you are wronged, and thus, in this scenario, I don't view shutting your mouth (when you still feel like you are owed something) as politeness. Thus: "politeness".

Yup people can politely ask for a compensation. This dude in the OP fucked up.

 

[always crazy bacon]

Or, you know, it was a joke.

The "It's just a prank bro" defense in action.

 

[Two Words]

Phew, aren't you fond of bullshit assumptions?
And, apparently, of complaining without addressing the person you have a problem with directly. "This guy".

I don't think it's impolite to complain when you are wronged, and thus, in this scenario, I don't view shutting your mouth (when you still feel like you are owed something) as politeness. Thus: "politeness".

The politeness is not trying to make a scene at the cost of the waitress. I think the waitress screwed up by not telling the manager, if that is what happened, but I don't want to be involved in something that is going to get her into trouble. I'm sure its not easy making dues when you're working in the service industry. Having soup spilled on you is a non-trivial inconvenience, but losing a job is far worse. So yeah, I feel like I am being polite by trying to not make a scene about it. I feel that it would have been much worse for the waitress if I were the one bringing it up to the management later than if the waitress did it herself right after it happened.

You keep framing it so extreme. I doubt her thought process was "oh, the guy just doesn't mind it when hot soup is spilled on him. That's neat." She knew she messed up, knows it's a big mistake, and gave what was probably a very sincere apology, and your reaction/degree of whatever happened may not have looked as bad to her as it felt to you, especially if you downplayed it. Again, if it wasn't a particularly pricey place they're not going to be as accommodating for every little thing that happens. I'm not saying that's the way it should be, but it's perfectly understandable why that might have been the case. It doesn't have to be a case of malicious or willing oversight.

But spilling a bowl of hot soup on a customer isn't one of those "every little thing" situations. I think we should be able to agree that is a rare and significant thing that management and the waitress should feel is an exceptional incident that should be further addressed.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

If you are saying, spilling hot soup on someone is bad, then yes, I think your statement holds.

It's not obvious at all that he's "just being polite". I've told some waiters that something was fine when it was not, just to be nice. And I've told some that a situation was fine when they were freaking out, but it really wasn't a big deal from my vantage point. Waiters are having to constantly make judgment calls about situations and sometimes they get it wrong. They have to rely on what customers are telling them and how they are reacting. It's a very reasonable response to let something like this drop if the customer says it's fine.

This keeps reminding me of the weird passive aggressive friend who says something is fine and then flips out about why you didn't ask what was wrong or what did you still do whatever thing you were asking about because it was clearly bothering them.

It's not on someone else to decipher whether you are lying or not, you could have respectfully asked for a manager as soon as it happened but instead you said you were fine and acted as if you were completely fine with it. People have to stop being so afraid of human interaction and just actually convey what is the problem instead of thinking people can read your mind if you just stay completely quiet.

You keep framing it so extreme. I doubt her thought process was "oh, the guy just doesn't mind it when hot soup is spilled on him. That's neat." She knew she messed up, knows it's a big mistake, and gave what was probably a very sincere apology, and your reaction/degree of whatever happened may not have looked as bad to her as it felt to you, especially if you downplayed it. Again, if it wasn't a particularly pricey place they're not going to be as accommodating for every little thing that happens. I'm not saying that's the way it should be, but it's perfectly understandable why that might have been the case. It doesn't have to be a case of malicious or willing oversight.

My friend the other week got part of her bloody mary spilled on her at a michelin star restaurant and they didn't comp her since she kept telling them it was fine. Even at more expensive places, unless something was ruined or you make a stink they probably aren't to make a big deal either if you keep saying it's no big deal.

 

[Westbahnhof]

If you are saying, spilling hot soup on someone is bad, then yes, I think your statement holds.

It's not obvious at all that he's "just being polite". I've told some waiters that something was fine when it was not, just to be nice. And I've told some that a situation was fine when they were freaking out, but it really wasn't a big deal from my vantage point. Waiters are having to constantly make judgment calls about situations and sometimes they get it wrong. They have to rely on what customers are telling them and how they are reacting. It's a very reasonable response to let something like this drop if the customer says it's fine.

Thank you. Exactly this.
I've been showered in beer before. But as I was close to going home, and no damage was done, I said it was fine, and I meant it.
They dropped the problem like they dropped the tray, and I was okay with that.

The politeness is not trying to make a scene at the cost of the waitress. I think the waitress screwed up by not telling the manager, if that is what happened, but I don't want to be involved in something that is going to get her into trouble. I'm sure its not easy making dues when you're working in the service industry. Having soup spilled on you is a non-trivial inconvenience, but losing a job is far worse. So yeah, I feel like I am being polite by trying to not make a scene about it. I feel that it would have been much worse for the waitress if I were the one bringing it up to the management later than if the waitress did it herself right after it happened.



But spilling a bowl of hot soup on a customer isn't one of those "every little thing" situations. I think we should be able to agree that is a rare and significant thing that management and the waitress should feel is an exceptional incident that should be further addressed.

It's very telling that you think "making a scene" is the only way to speak up or complain.
Why not pull the waitress aside, voice your issue to her, and then she can inform management?
Sounds very mountain-out-of-molehill-y to me.
There are easy ways to handle this, if you feel it has to be handled.

And yes, I agree that the waitress screwed up. But I also feel that by not doing anything about it when it would have been so easy, you lose the right to feel as wronged as you appear to feel.
People make mistakes. If you feel it's not worth speaking up, don't speak up. But it seems like you regret not doing so now, so... that's on you.

 

[chogidogs]

This whole deal is just sounding like a big "can I have my cake and eat it too" situation.

Be polite to the waitress but expect the business to comp you out of the goodness of their heart despite saying everything was OK. It's a business. They don't want to lose money.

 

[Sparkedglory]

I live in the U.S. and my experiences have been more in line with your's. I have had meals comped proactively many times in my life due to accidents or errors by restaurant staff. I'd expect any restaurant that considers itself to have good customer service would proactively comp a portion of the meal extend another sign of goodwill (e.g., a free dessert). I have actually never had to request a comp from a restaurant in my life because every time I would've considered it, they proactively took care of things.

It's funny that you used the McDonald's example because I had a similar story happen with Papa John's, of all places, recently. Apparently, they gave away my take-out order to someone else who was "posing" as me to get a free pizza (I prepaid via credit card online). So, I had to wait about 10 minutes or so for them to make/bake an entirely new one for me. They offered to make me an extra-large (I ordered a large) or throw in a side/dessert item for free, both of which I declined because I didn't really want the extra food and waiting wasn't a big deal; I was in no rush, could browse GAF for the 10 minutes, and I felt a little sorry that the cashier got duped by the person that stole the pizza. When the pizza was done, they ended up reversing the credit card charge and giving me the pizza for free.

If I ever felt that a restaurant committed an error where some sort of comp was necessary and it wasn't proactively taken care of, I'd request one without a second thought, though. I'm actually pretty surprised of the number of people in this thread that think the OP shouldn't have been comped. Either we have a lot of pushovers in this thread, or taking the contrarian side to someone who feels "entitled" to something must be popular online. I expect the vast majority of people I know would consider it obvious that the restaurant should offer a comp in the OP's situation. Hell, I've been at a table where a free app was brought out merely because a glass of water was knocked over by the waiter onto a friend. Now that I'm thinking of it, just last month a bartender made my friend an entirely new cocktail just because she answered honestly, yet politely, when he asked her how she liked the one she initially ordered (she didn't care for it; it was much sweeter than she was expecting).

I had that story with Taco Bell a few months back, they ran out of steak for quesadillas, so they gave me a chicken instead, and then they added like 8 things on for free. I wasn't even that upset about it. But I thanked them and went on my way.

And last year, one of my friends had an experience at IHOP where she had a tiny piece of wood in her food. We told the staff and they immediately apologized. Like me, she wasn't really all that upset about it, she was even still willing to pay, but they just gave it to her for free and profusely apologized.

As for the op, I haven't read through the thread, but first of all, I'm sorry that happened to you, and secondly, they probably should've comped it for you, but personally if they tried to charge me I would've politely brought the issue up. I wouldn't demean the waitress at all since accidents happen and I in no way would want her to have issues from her bosses, but yeah, I would've said something at least. At the same time though, I wouldn't sweat it too much if I still had to pay. This is just me though.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Thank you. Exactly this.
I've been showered in beer before. But as I was close to going home, and no damage was done, I said it was fine, and I meant it.
They dropped the problem like they dropped the tray, and I was okay with that.


It's very telling that you think "making a scene" is the only way to speak up or complain.
Why not pull the waitress aside, voice your issue to her, and then she can inform management?
Sounds very mountain-out-of-molehill-y to me.
There are easy ways to handle this, if you feel it has to be handled.

And yes, I agree that the waitress screwed up. But I also feel that by not doing anything about it when it would have been so easy, you lose the right to feel as wronged as you appear to feel.
People make mistakes. If you feel it's not worth speaking up, don't speak up. But it seems like you regret not doing so now, so... that's on you.

Pretty much.......

It's pretty telling if you think the only way your can voice a complaint/concern is by making a big scene and yelling. I've voiced complaints when necessary but I've yet had to yell or scream or make a commotion where everyone is looking at me to get it corrected.

 

[Two Words]

Thank you. Exactly this.
I've been showered in beer before. But as I was close to going home, and no damage was done, I said it was fine, and I meant it.
They dropped the problem like they dropped the tray, and I was okay with that.


It's very telling that you think "making a scene" is the only way to speak up or complain.
Why not pull the waitress aside, voice your issue to her, and then she can inform management?
Sounds very mountain-out-of-molehill-y to me.
There are easy ways to handle this, if you feel it has to be handled.

And yes, I agree that the waitress screwed up. But I also feel that by not doing anything about it when it would have been so easy, you lose the right to feel as wronged as you appear to feel.
People make mistakes. If you feel it's not worth speaking up, don't speak up. But it seems like you regret not doing so now, so... that's on you.

The scene is the manager chewing out the waitress later for not telling management.

 

[Flo_Evans]

This keeps reminding me of the weird passive aggressive friend who says something is fine and then flips out about why you didn't ask what was wrong or what did you still do whatever thing you were asking about because it was clearly bothering them.

It's not on someone else to decipher whether you are lying or not, you could have respectfully asked for a manager as soon as it happened but instead you said you were fine and acted as if you were completely fine with it. People have to stop being so afraid of human interaction and just actually convey what is the problem instead of thinking people can read your mind if you just stay completely quiet.

This is nonsense. You don't have to be a mind reader to know spilling soup on a customer is not fine.

Ive never in my life had to ask for a manager at a restaurant.

This whole deal is just sounding like a big "can I have my cake and eat it too" situation.

Be polite to the waitress but expect the business to comp you out of the goodness of their heart despite saying everything was OK. It's a business. They don't want to lose money.

Again nonsense. OP and his entire party are going to tell this story. They will lose way more business for poor service than comping a measly $15 meal.

 

[Westbahnhof]

The scene is the manager chewing out the waitress later for not telling management.

Did you miss where I said you could pull her aside and ask her to inform management?
"Ah, I forgot to tell you earlier, but XY happened an the person is about to leave, what should we do?"
Problem solved.

 

[Screaming Meat]

Restaurants are full of new, inexperienced staff. Insecure people. Dumb people.
Management can't comp anything if they don't know.
Blame the waitress if you feel like it, don't blame anyone else.

I don't think I blamed anyone; just explaining that I would've expected the restaurant to comp something. I'd be very surprised if someone with the authority to offer a comp didn't know about it.

 

[Two Words]

Did you miss where I said you could pull her aside and ask her to inform management?
"Ah, I forgot to tell you earlier, but XY happened an the person is about to leave, what should we do?"
Problem solved.

I am clarifying that I am not talking about me making the scene by yelling.

 

[Moreche]

FFS, the waitress made a mistake and apologised! Move on with your day.

 

[always crazy bacon]

This whole deal is just sounding like a big "can I have my cake and eat it too" situation.

Be polite to the waitress but expect the business to comp you out of the goodness of their heart despite saying everything was OK. It's a business. They don't want to lose money.

 

[Westbahnhof]

I am clarifying that I am not talking about me making the scene by yelling.

I know. This is why, in the post you responded to previously, I explained how that kind of scene could have been easily avoided

I don't think I blamed anyone; just explaining that I would've expected the restaurant to comp something. I'd be very surprised if someone with the authority to offer a comp didn't know about it.

Honestly: Why? Why would you be surprised about that?

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Did you miss where I said you could pull her aside and ask her to inform management?
"Ah, I forgot to tell you earlier, but XY happened an the person is about to leave, what should we do?"
Problem solved.



Honestly: Why? Why would you be surprised about that?

Apparently restaurant managers are sadistic people who only scream at and demean their employees, if employees ever admit a mistake they would lose their job and become homeless. Why do you want this poor woman to be homeless? He saved her life, the least she could do is comp his $15 meal. SMH

 

[SugarDaddy]

Yeah, that's pretty shitty of them. If they never brought it up, I would have mentioned it when I paid

 

[MIMIC]

Hell I was in a sandwich shop, ordered my sandwich, sat down and maybe 5 minutes go by. I start noticing they are calling orders behind me. So I go up and ask about my sandwich. Seems they lost the ticket so they appologize and make it double quick. When it's ready they gave me a few cookies for the trouble.

idk what the hell is wrong with people on this thread. You absolutely should not have to ask for a manager when someone fucks up your shit.

It's like the Twilight Zone. All these stories of food being comped for far less, and people still stanning for how the restaurant reacted. "How were they supposed to know that there was a problem?"

Uhh....common sense? Any idiot knows that "accepting someone's apology" after such a mishap is just an empty gesture. I'd say it's almost reflexive. "Oh, it's fine," instead "You fucking moron."

My car got T-boned a few years back, my knee was a little bloody and the other driver profusely apologized. I reflexively (but in a very annoyed manner) said, "It's fine." I bet she didn't think, "I guess it's fine then."

 

[andythinkpad]

I would have ran to the hospital and getton a 2nd degree burn document.

 

[Westbahnhof]

It's like the Twilight Zone. All these stories of food being comped for far less, and people still stanning for how the restaurant reacted. "How were they supposed to know that there was a problem?"

Yes. How was management supposed to know, if the waitress screwed up by not saying anything? But hey, sure, blame the whole business.

Uhh....common sense? Any idiot knows that "accepting someone's apology" after such a mishap is just an empty gesture. I'd say it's almost reflexive. "Oh, it's fine," instead "You fucking moron."

Wrong. I've seen and personally lived similar scenarios where people said "It's fine" and meant it.

My car got T-boned a few years back, my knee was a little bloody and the other driver profusely apologized. I reflexively (but in a very annoyed manner) said, "It's fine." I bet she didn't think, "I guess it's fine then."

And obviously, this experience is representative of every other scenario.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

It's like the Twilight Zone. All these stories of food being comped for far less, and people still stanning for how the restaurant reacted. "How were they supposed to know that there was a problem?"

Uhh....common sense? Any idiot knows that "accepting someone's apology" after such a mishap is just an empty gesture. I'd say it's almost reflexive. "Oh, it's fine," instead "You fucking moron."

My car got T-boned a few years back, my knee was a little bloody and the other driver profusely apologized. I reflexively (but in a very annoyed manner) said, "It's fine." I bet she didn't think, "I guess it's fine then."

:lol Yes, injuring someone with a car where they're standing there bloodied is the same as accidentally spilling something at a restaurant. Holy shit people.

 

[LookAtMeGo]

I went to Montanas last week and was like "I will have some of your fine anojitos"

She was like "I'm so sorry we are out of anojitos for the night, it was suoer busy and they are very popular"

I was all like "awww that sucks, I love the anojitos.. no worries, I will have some artichoke dip instead"

She apologized and I said it was really no big deal. Half way through our meal, the manager came out and gave me a voucher for a free meal and free anojitos after. Thats what I call good customer service.

Dumping soup on someone and being all "Im really sorry" and thats it, is pretty shitty customer service.

What kinda shitty restaurants yall goin to?

 

[Neece]

Did you miss where I said you could pull her aside and ask her to inform management?
"Ah, I forgot to tell you earlier, but XY happened an the person is about to leave, what should we do?"
Problem solved.

It still would be a scene. It's not like people around didn't see the girl that dropped soup on a customer, and now he has pulled her aside, only got the manager to come out.

Any restaurant worth a damn should train their employees that if they make a mistake, they offer something as good will. Problem solved.

 

[H.Protagonist]

The politeness is not trying to make a scene at the cost of the waitress. I think the waitress screwed up by not telling the manager, if that is what happened, but I don't want to be involved in something that is going to get her into trouble. I'm sure its not easy making dues when you're working in the service industry. Having soup spilled on you is a non-trivial inconvenience, but losing a job is far worse. So yeah, I feel like I am being polite by trying to not make a scene about it. I feel that it would have been much worse for the waitress if I were the one bringing it up to the management later than if the waitress did it herself right after it happened.



But spilling a bowl of hot soup on a customer isn't one of those "every little thing" situations. I think we should be able to agree that is a rare and significant thing that management and the waitress should feel is an exceptional incident that should be further addressed.

I agree that I don't think it's insignificant, but given the restaurant and scenario, I can see it going either way, and it did not go your way this time. So again, should you have gotten more than just the waitress' apology? Sure. Because you didn't, does that mean she/they willfully ignored you and what happened? Not necessarily. I'm sorry, though. It does suck.

This keeps reminding me of the weird passive aggressive friend who says something is fine and then flips out about why you didn't ask what was wrong or what did you still do whatever thing you were asking about because it was clearly bothering them.

It's not on someone else to decipher whether you are lying or not, you could have respectfully asked for a manager as soon as it happened but instead you said you were fine and acted as if you were completely fine with it. People have to stop being so afraid of human interaction and just actually convey what is the problem instead of thinking people can read your mind if you just stay completely quiet.



My friend the other week got part of her bloody mary spilled on her at a michelin star restaurant and they didn't comp her since she kept telling them it was fine. Even at more expensive places, unless something was ruined or you make a stink they probably aren't to make a big deal either if you keep saying it's no big deal.

I'd say that's more unusual, though. Even if they don't comp the drink, they send out an apology drink or dessert (that was common at ours)(the place I worked at was a Michelin star spot). Since guests are paying so much and the 'experience' is part of that cost, we were very attentive to even small slights.

 

[Astral Dog]

I am considering it from her perspective. I'm saying from her perspective, she took a risky gamble. In this case, things worked out well for her, but it could have been worse.

These are two ways that things could have played out.

1. Let's say I later make a complaint after I see that I am still billed. This wouldn't be an unusual reaction, like most people in this thread have said. The conversation could have gone like this.

Me- I need to speak to your manager
Waitress- Okay, one moment
Manager- How can I help you?
Me- Earlier, a waitress spilled hot soup on me by mistake and you can see all of this soup on my back. I did not want to make a scene about it, but to be honest, I did expect management to do something about it discreetly.
Manager- I'm sorry, this is the first I am hearing about this. You're saying a waitress spilled hot soup on you? Are you okay?
Me- Yes, I'm fine. It was hot, but not skin burning hot.
Manager- Okay, I am VERY sorry that this has happened to you. I am also very sorry that it has gotten to this point. I should have been informed about this right away.

Later, I would imagine that the manager would have chewed out the waitress for trying to hide the incident. The manager is obviously going to feel that it is incredibly important that the staff does not try to hide mistakes like this because management will want to do something about it. That is a bigger issue than the honest mistake because it was a dishonest action.



2. Let's say the waitress decided to tell the manager.
Waitress- Boss, I accidentally spilled hot soup on a customer.
Manager- Oh my god, is the customer okay?
Waitress- Yes, he said it didn't burn him. I am really sorry that this happened and I kept apologizing and tried my best to clean it up. He took it pretty well, but I still feel bad about it happening.
Manager- Okay, you need to be careful. We can't have customers walking out on us upset. Plus hot foods can be very dangerous. I expect you to be more careful, got it? It can't happen again. Thanks for telling me. I'm going to check up on him and see if I can smooth things over with him and his group.



Obviously, these are just two examples, but I think it is clear that a manager would be far more upset if he/she found out that the waitress was trying to hide the mistake regardless of how the customer reacted.

Jesus

 

[darscot]

I went to Montanas...

What kinda shitty restaurants yall goin to?

Well it's hard to top the establishments that write on the tables with crayon. I don't think it's a bad restraint but I just do not understand that place.

 

[KennyLinder]

Was out for a curry one evening with a friend. Starters, main, alcohol. Waiter dropped the main onto my friends lap.

They told us immediately that we wouldn't have to pay a penny for anything that evening (both of us, not just my friend) would cover any dry cleaning requirements or clothing replacements.

 

[Vanillalite]

This whole deal is just sounding like a big "can I have my cake and eat it too" situation.

Be polite to the waitress but expect the business to comp you out of the goodness of their heart despite saying everything was OK. It's a business. They don't want to lose money.

You never take it like this.

What a customer might say to you, and what a customer might say after they leave in a review or to their friends is a different matter.

You gotta go above and beyond with customer service or else you lose customers and money long term.

 

[MIMIC]

:lol Yes, injuring someone with a car where they're standing there bloodied is the same as accidentally spilling something at a restaurant. Holy shit people.

I don't know whether it's intentional, but you're completely missing the point. The point was to show that people make similar expressions all the time, even in extreme scenarios. Doesn't mean people actually thought it was OK.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that people actually think that a waiter is going to think that a customer was "fine" with having food spilled on them. Like, WTF. But like I said: Twilight Zone.

 

[LookAtMeGo]

Well it's hard to top the establishments that write on the tables with crayon. I don't think it's a bad restraint but I just do not understand that place.

Have you tried the anojitos?

Haha I like the drawing on the tables. Last time my friend and I drew portraits of each other with the art skills of a 5 year old and asked the waiter whos drawing was better. They complimented both of our art skills lol. Their chipotle honey ribs and the 10oz ribe eye steak are phenomenal.

Its also funny seeing people get embarassed on their birthdays wearing those big stupid antlers.

 

[Screaming Meat]

Honestly: Why? Why would you be surprised about that?

Experience, mostly. I worked in various restaurants for around six/seven years at all levels. I have both seen, done, and dealt with similar incidents.

When someone drops something in a restaurant, especially on to a customer, other staff and customers will know about it. If there was a follow-up exchange between the waitress and the customer, such as the one the OP described, a Front-of-House supervisor would definitely have noticed.

Staff talk between themselves. I imagine the waitress would, at the very least, chat about it with other staff, maybe even management/a supervisor, for reassurance or to find out what the hell to do in that situation. Plus, the Back-of-House team would know too because the waitress would have had to get a new soup; that's even more people nattering about it.