This was pre-pandemic, but when I experienced a crappy interaction at a restaurant, I sent an email to the contact on their website and explained my issue. (It was two employees right in the front acting like the place was a hair salon. One was brushing the others hair right where people walk in. So gross.) Anyway, I sent an email to let them know that what happened and they sent a $50 gift card to me. That’s what I’d do in this case… just reach out and let them know what happened.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use coupons a lot, and have never been treated with disrespect by waitstaff as a result. I also was a waitress for many years in my youth, and would never have behaved so inappropriately or rudely. I am shocked that PPs are giving this waiter a pass.

I would hesitate to complain to management, because clearly this waiter is a bit off and I would be concerned that they had my full name and could retaliate in some way. It wouldn’t have been worth it. But I would have calmly commented directly to the waiter, about their poor customer service.

I’ve been worried about giving an Uber driver a poor rating since he knows where I live. You really think this waiter is going to track this person down and retaliate over a negative review? Interesting.

Not the person you're responding to but the answer to your question is ... YES. Why? Because a waitress just did it on our neighborhood NextDoor in Alexandria. She was completely nasty about it. While I understood why she was upset I felt worse for the customer who it sounded like was really being mistreated while he was at her restaurant. I wanted to post to ask what restaurant she worked at so I could be sure to avoid it but I ended up not saying anything. Of course, she had a few people expressing validation for her venting post and the rest of us (on my street via our own little list serve) held our tongues. Frankly, from what she said, and the aggressive and agitated way she said it, I don't want her knowing anything about me or mine. So, yes, I can see someone go off-the-wall and tracking down a customer based on knowing their full name now that I've seen what this unhinged woman did on NextDoor.

creeping* us out

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use coupons a lot, and have never been treated with disrespect by waitstaff as a result. I also was a waitress for many years in my youth, and would never have behaved so inappropriately or rudely. I am shocked that PPs are giving this waiter a pass.

I would hesitate to complain to management, because clearly this waiter is a bit off and I would be concerned that they had my full name and could retaliate in some way. It wouldn’t have been worth it. But I would have calmly commented directly to the waiter, about their poor customer service.

I’ve been worried about giving an Uber driver a poor rating since he knows where I live. You really think this waiter is going to track this person down and retaliate over a negative review? Interesting.

I had a bad experience recently and used cash instead of card because the waiter was *so* creepy and we didn't want him having our name off the receipt. We didn't complain, because what exactly are we going to say, "Um, your waiter is creeper us out?" And it's not like we're hard-up for or want a discount on a future meal or anything. We still gave the weirdo 20%.

Anonymous wrote:OP here — I just received an email from the restaurant asking “how did we do?”.

I think I am going to answer honestly since they’re soliciting feedback.

You could give feedback but my guess is the restaurants don’t even read these comments.

Anonymous wrote:The comment is over the line but I agree with a PP that you either address it in the moment or not at all. Agree with PPs about letting it slide b/c Covid. All of that said, I thought you are always supposed to mention those types of coupons/discounts in advance so it feels like a minor faux pas that you did not. Not saying that justifies the comment as it does not, just that being more proactive would be better.

She mentioned it at the correct time - when asking for the check. She didn’t get the check and then ask for the discount.

Anonymous wrote:We use coupons a lot, and have never been treated with disrespect by waitstaff as a result. I also was a waitress for many years in my youth, and would never have behaved so inappropriately or rudely. I am shocked that PPs are giving this waiter a pass.

I would hesitate to complain to management, because clearly this waiter is a bit off and I would be concerned that they had my full name and could retaliate in some way. It wouldn’t have been worth it. But I would have calmly commented directly to the waiter, about their poor customer service.

I’ve been worried about giving an Uber driver a poor rating since he knows where I live. You really think this waiter is going to track this person down and retaliate over a negative review? Interesting.