Restaurant Complaints Stories

Hi folks!

Ok, here is my story... I feel like I can't be right in this situation but I don't feel guilty either...

That evening, I went to pick up my three-year-old and five-year-old from daycare, as my wife had to accompany our eldest, who's 12, to a sports practice. Realizing the kids were probably hungry, and thinking a little treat would be nice, I decided to skip heading straight home and instead went to a nearby restaurant. While settling in, I glanced at my phone and noticed a message from my wife, revealing she had prepared dinner for the kids before leaving. Unfortunately, we were already at the restaurant, and it felt too disruptive to reverse course, so we went ahead with our meal out.

Upon returning home and when my wife arrived, I mentioned my late discovery of her text, and that we ended up dining out. This revelation didn't sit well with her. She was quite upset, accusing me of wasting the effort she'd put into making dinner. Despite my attempts to explain the misunderstanding and assure her there was no disregard intended for her efforts, she labeled my actions as inconsiderate.

Was my decision truly inconsiderate? Is it wrong to miss a text and make a decision based on what seemed best at the moment? I feel stuck no matter what I choose.

Imagine this scenario playing out on a reality show. How might the audience react? Would they sympathize with the spontaneity of dining out with young kids, or critique it as a lack of communication and respect towards the effort of meal preparation? Reality TV thrives on such disputes, often magnifying normal day-to-day disagreements for dramatic effect. Viewers might be divided, with some appreciating the father's desire to do something nice for his kids, while others side with the mother, feeling her efforts were disrespected.

Last year, on our one-year anniversary, my boyfriend Greg and I decided to celebrate at our favorite dining spot, the Cheesecake Factory, because he's aware of my adoration for their cheesecake. As it turned out, my preference for their dessert played a notable role in the evening's events.

The dinner was progressing wonderfully; we were enjoying ourselves immensely. However, the atmosphere swiftly changed when an elderly gentleman seated nearby pushed his chair back just as our waiter was passing by with a tray. This sudden move caused the waiter to trip and accidentally spill his hot coffee down my back. The pain from the scalding liquid was instant and intense, leading me to scream and instinctively lift my shirt—it was a reflex from the surprise and the burning sensation.

Given that I'm fairly petite in the chest area and don't often wear a bra, this reaction inadvertently resulted in me exposing myself to several other diners. Despite the embarrassment, the physical shock was what dominated my reaction. I managed to pull my shirt back down after what felt like a long fifteen seconds. Our waiter was profusely apologetic, but I knew it wasn't really anyone's fault—just a regrettable accident.

Greg, on the other hand, wasn't able to see the incident as just an accident. He became insistent on leaving the restaurant immediately, claiming that my reaction was overly dramatic and that I had embarassed both of us. Standing my ground, I argued that the incident, while unfortunate, wasn't worth abandoning our anniversary meal, especially since cheesecake—the hallmark of our celebration—was yet to come. I even suggested getting the cheesecake to go, but Greg was adamant about leaving, disapproving of my lack of mortification.

We stayed, but the remainder of our dinner was awkward. Greg claimed that other men were looking at me and probably harboring inappropriate thoughts, to which I replied that their thoughts were their problem, not mine.

The ride home was filled with tension, with Greg expressing that I had ruined our anniversary by forcing him to sit through the aftermath of the incident. He couldn't fathom why I would prioritize a dessert over his feelings. This led to an argument that lasted the entire drive, and the silence that followed has persisted into today.

Considering the whole situation, sometimes I wonder how this incident would have unfolded in the public eye, say if we were part of a reality TV show. Would the audience sympathize with my pain and reflex, or would they criticize me for the unintentional exposure and my insistence on staying for cheesecake?

I'm kind of torn on who was more reasonable here—am I at fault for wanting to continue our celebration?

Every Saturday morning, I make it a ritual to visit a bustling local coffee shop to study. The ambient noise strangely helps me concentrate, so I arrive at 8 a.m. right when they open to secure a spot. The setup includes two-person tables, a few larger ones, and countertop seating. I generally prefer a two-person table against the wall for a bit of privacy and so that passersby can't sneak a peek at my laptop screen.

Just yesterday, at around 9 a.m., while engrossed in my work, a woman, let's call her Carol, decided to sit at my table without asking. This irked me somewhat as my personal space felt invaded, but I chose to ignore it assuming she was temporarily there waiting for her order. However, it soon became apparent that she had other plans. She had been conversing with another woman in line, whom we'll call Janet. Janet mentioned that they might need to get their food to go since no tables were free. Carol casually gestured towards me, indicating they planned to take over my table. This assumption of theirs added to my irritation since it felt like I was merely an obstacle in their plans.

As expected, Janet approached me after placing their order and asked if I could shift to the counter so Carol could sit at my table, citing her recent back surgery which made counters uncomfortable for her. I refused, explaining I also found the counters uncomfortable and didn't have sufficient space for all my study materials. Janet labeled me rude and inconsiderate and even questioned why I was there since I apparently wasn't eating. I clarified that I had indeed purchased breakfast and a drink. Their persistence continued until a coffee shop employee intervened. I confirmed that they were bothering me, resulting in Carol and Janet being asked to leave.

When I later shared this incident at home, expecting some support from my roommate, I received a lukewarm response. She acknowledged that Carol and Janet were rude, but also hinted that maybe I could've been more accommodating given the crowded nature of the cafe. My sister even compared it to not offering a seat to someone with disabilities on public transport, which I disagreed with vehemently as café seating doesn't equate to essential transportation needs. Both seemed to imply that Carol's and Janet's need to be seated was imperative, leaving me conflicted.

Reflecting on this, I wonder how this scenario would play out if it were part of a reality TV show. Often, these shows thrive on conflict and pushing social boundaries, so likely, viewers might find the drama enthralling. Would the audience side with me for standing my ground, or would they view me as the villain for not accommodating someone with a medical condition despite the discomfort it would cause me?

For those used to reality TV dynamics, it could be an interesting discussion on personal space versus social responsibility.

Would I be the villain in a reality TV show situation?

The other evening, right as my workday was wrapping up, my wife Lena gave me a ring. She was over at her brother James's place and was pondering over our dinner plans. After a brief chat, we all agreed to meet at a quaint restaurant close by. The place usually has a slight wait, so timing was key. Lena and James were roughly ten minutes away, whereas I was a bit farther, about fifteen minutes out. They said they'd head out immediately, so I hustled to get there on time.

Upon arriving, I was surprised to see from my parking spot that they hadn't shown up yet. Curious and a bit annoyed, I dialed Lena to check their whereabouts, only to discover they hadn't left their initial spot yet! Choosing to wait in my truck, they finally appeared after an additional fifteen minutes. Once reunited, I walked in to put our names down, but they showed frustration towards me for not doing it earlier. They argued that I should have anticipated and spared us all from waiting.

This isn't a rare incident; it's a recurring theme with them. They tend to delay their arrival intentionally, sidestepping any initial hassle like setting up or, in this case, signing in and enduring the wait. Fed up with this tactic, I decided to stand my ground this time. Knowing that they had delayed their departure until I almost reached, and after confirming Lena had indeed been tracking my location, I opted not to register us until they were present, insisting on sharing the burden of waiting.

When confronted in the parking lot, they didn't originally request me to check us in, yet were irritated when they had to wait, presumably expecting me to have handled it. As someone who values punctuality, their habitual tardiness to dodge wait times grates on me.

They even labeled me inconsiderate for not putting our names down beforehand, despite my intention to instill a bit of equality in waiting. Was it wrong for me to want everyone to experience the wait this time, or was I justified in my actions to bring some balance?

Imagine this scenario playing out on a popular reality TV show. Viewers would likely be split, with some applauding my stand against habitual tardiness, while others might criticize me for creating unnecessary tension. Social media would buzz with opinions, memes, and possibly even polls siding with either me or my in-laws, turning a simple dinner plan into a highly debated drama.

From this experience, how do you feel about people intentionally arriving late?

Yesterday, I ventured out to a Vietnamese eatery and decided to order a bowl of the traditional noodle dish “Pho”. I made a point to ask the staff to skip the spring onions since I really can't stand them - it’s not an allergy, I just dislike their flavor intensely. When I was younger, around the age of 10, my mother made numerous attempts to get me accustomed to eating spring onions because she didn't want me to be fussy with food. Unfortunately, each attempt ended with me feeling sick.

However, despite my specific request, my dish arrived dotted with spring onions. This was not the first time this issue occurred at this restaurant; last time I ended up picking the onions out by myself. After that experience, the noodles were too soggy from soaking up the broth and the overall flavor was compromised. This time around, I opted to not repeat the ordeal. I politely called over the server, explained the situation and handed back my bowl to have it corrected. The server was understanding and took it back to the kitchen, asking me to patiently wait for a corrected bowl.

In contrast, my sister immediately voiced her frustration, pointing out my fussiness especially since the restaurant was quite busy. She argued that I should have just dealt with the unwanted onions rather than causing additional trouble and potentially wasting food. Her comments certainly made the remainder of the meal uncomfortable.

Reflecting on the situation, I can't help but wonder if maybe I did overreact slightly, especially since I had been having a really tough week and might not have been in the best state of mind. However, I'd genuinely appreciate others' thoughts on this. Was I really being unreasonable?

Imagine if this incident had taken place on a reality TV show, with cameras capturing every moment and audiences tuning in from their homes. The tension and drama would certainly be heightened. Viewers might sympathize with my aversion to onions or they might align with my sister, viewing me as overly particular or disruptive. It's interesting to ponder whether public opinion would sway in my favor or if I'd be criticized for my insistence on removing a simple ingredient.

Recently, after my mother passed away, I received a substantial inheritance. I decided to keep this sum in a separate bank account, as I haven’t yet settled on the best use for it. Meanwhile, I’ve noticed an unsettling change in my husband's behavior regarding this money. He frequently discusses how I should spend it and makes various suggestions, but lately, he's also been expecting me to foot the bills for practically everything.

The issue escalated during our New Year's Eve celebration. We joined his family for dinner at a local restaurant. Initially, everything seemed normal until the bill arrived, and suddenly, I was expected to cover the costs for everyone. My mother-in-law made a passing comment, half-jokingly suggesting I should dip into my "inheritance pocket" to settle it. Although I managed to maintain my composure and only paid for myself, the situation left me quite upset, and I left the restaurant hastily.

Arriving home, I was alone until about 3 a.m., when my husband came back. He was furious, accusing me of creating a scene, embarrassing him and his family by not paying for their meals. He even suggested that my walking out was a vengeful act related to past grievances about his family’s nonexistent support during my mother's illness. This accusation couldn't be more wrong.

Now, he firmly believes that I've caused an irreparable rift between his family and myself. He argued that it wouldn't have been a big deal for me to pay for the celebratory dinner.

If this scenario unfolded on a reality show, the reaction could be explosive. Television tends to magnify personal conflicts, so my exit from the restaurant might have been replayed in slow motion with dramatic music, highlighting every detail of the confrontation. The subsequent arguments would likely be edited to enhance the drama, potentially drawing sympathy from viewers who resonate with feeling unfairly burdened by financial expectations from family.

Imagine this happening on television; what sort of viewer reactions could it evoke in a live audience or social media commentary?

Was I unjust in refusing to pay for everyone's New Year's Eve dinner?

My wife and I recently took a two-week trip to Germany for Oktoberfest. I'm writing this from our hotel room in a resort on the southwest side of the country. Neither of us come from money, and we both have a bit of an alternative look—I've got a Mohawk, piercings, and nail polish, and my wife has tattoos covering about 80% of her body along with colored hair. So, we tend to stand out a bit.

We dressed up nicely for dinner—I wore a button-up shirt and black pants, and my wife wore a nice dress and heels. We showed up five minutes early for our reservation, not wanting to be late and ready to wait if necessary. We were seated and ordered different sets of courses to try a bit of everything. We were polite, used please and thank you, and asked the staff for advice on how to enjoy our meals properly.

When it came time for the main courses, our reservation was at 7 PM, and by 8:10 PM, we still hadn't received our main dishes. It wasn't until 9:40 PM that our food finally arrived. During the wait, we asked our server a few times if there was a delay, not rudely, just curious if we should hold off on more bread.

At the 1 hour 30-minute mark, I asked for the chief to see if there was an issue since other tables with similar orders and larger groups who arrived after us were already being served. When I explained our situation, he patronizingly smacked his lips and said, "Aww, it hasn't been over an hour and a half." When I clarified we had timed it, he shrugged and said, "I don't know what to say," then walked off.

All I wanted was an apology or some communication. Even if they had said, "Sorry, the food didn't meet the chef's standards," I'd have been fine with that. But nothing. When you're paying $300 per person, the least you expect is an update if your meal is delayed. Was that too much to ask?

Thinking about this, I wonder how people would react if this had happened on a reality show. Would it have been different? How would people judge the situation?