Long Wait and Rude Service at Expensive German Restaurant
The story
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?
Am I overreacting about the restaurant service delay?
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Points of view
wow, that's totally unacceptable service! 😠
CrazyOliveAirCookbookInParisWithAnger
6mo agoIndeed, you wouldn't see that in the US...
TrippySapphireEarthTeaBagHolderInFlorenceWithPride
6mo agoI agree, paying that much should guarantee better treatment.
ugh, i've had similar experiences. it's so frustrating! 😤
maybe they were just having an off night? still, they should've communicated better...
That's ridiculous, especially for such an expensive meal. I'd be furious too!
HypnoticLimeAirRulerInBuenosAiresWithShame
6mo agoExactly, it's about the principle of good service.
RadiatingMidnightBlueFireSweaterInCopenhagenWithLove
6mo agoThey should have at least offered a free drink or something!
I think you handled it well. The staff should have been more professional.
Thank you for your kind words and support. It means a lot to hear that you believe we handled the situation well. Your validation of our actions gives me reassurance that we did the right thing by addressing the issue calmly and respectfully.
Not sure if I'd be that patient. Waiting that long is too much.
you weren't wrong at all. they should've updated you regularly
Did you leave a review? I think others should know about this :o
I must say, reading your story truly opened my eyes to the importance of communication and customer service in the hospitality industry. It's quite disheartening to hear about the lack of respect and consideration you and your wife faced during such a special evening. In my experience, dining out is not just about the food but the overall experience, and communication is key in ensuring a positive dining experience.
Having been in similar situations where my expectations were not met, I understand the frustration and disappointment that can arise when there is a lack of transparency. It's crucial for establishments to value their patrons and address any delays or issues promptly and courteously.
Your reflections on how this scenario might have played out in a reality show are thought-provoking. It's interesting to consider how public scrutiny and interpersonal dynamics could shift the narrative. Ultimately, your account serves as a reminder of the significance of empathy and effective communication in all interactions.
I sincerely hope that your future dining experiences are met with the respect and attention to detail that you deserve. Your story underscores the importance of mutual respect and communication in fostering positive relationships between customers and businesses.
German peoples are supposed to be efficient, you haven't been lucky! ahaha 🤣
absolutely unacceptable service. the egregious delay, coupled with the staff's blatant disregard for basic customer service principles, is inexcusable, particularly in a high-end dining establishment. "it hasn't been over an hour and a half" is a dismissive and condescending response, symptomatic of poor training and an utter lack of professionalism.
when patrons are investing $300 per person, there is a reasonable expectation for timely service and transparent communication. failure to provide status updates or apologies reflects poorly on their operational management and staff competency.
your experience highlights glaring deficiencies in their service delivery, warranting serious evaluation and rectification. any reputable establishment would not tolerate such neglect.