I left some money on the table and walked out. Don't know if I should ever walk back in.
I was at a restaurant I've visited at least once a week since early August. They know me, my preferences and my 20b tips on ~150b tabs. I've never had a problem there. Ordered today from the waitress with the best English and worst attitude. Twice I pointed to an item, said the English name (it's also in Thai) and she repeated the name in English.
One item was correct, the second was wrong, she brought the dish listed below it on the menu. Though a moment if I wanted to rock the boat a little at a place I like. I walked over, picked up a menu, called her back and said I ordered A, not B. She said it's what I ordered, I disagreed, then she said the two dishes were 'same same'. I turned away, said a one syllable, four letter anglo-saxon swear word to the floor (Yeah, I know that sure didn't help matters) and sat back down . Didn't touch the wrong item.
Finished and asked two staff who were hanging out together nearby if I could speak to owner / manager / boss. One said yes and did nothing. Waited calmly about 5 minutes. Picked up menu again to calculate cost of the food and drink I ate, left those bills on the table. Walked to the toilet. Took my time so they'd have a chance to see what I left on the table. Left the place by intentionally walking past two of the employees to give them a chance to intercept me if they wanted. Got a 'swadeka' which I didn't respond to.
Dare I return as a customer?
How could it have been handled better?
Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
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HAPPYGOLFER
- Specialist
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Mon May 17, 2010 8:10 pm
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
I mean you behaved in the best mannor, so yes of course you still can return as a customer.Thai culture is built on smiling and not loosing face, so sometimes everything is going wrong. I think you experienced just that, but still I mean by paying just what you ordered you also learned them a lesson. So go back with a smile and see how they react
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
Hi I would go back again, if they give you any probs then walk out, but i think the girl was probably pissed off as she "might" have this dish deducted from her wage, if you see the same waitress then buy her a drink and all should be well.. 
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
Personally I'd vote with my feet - if I got sour service and attitude somewhere why go back? We have done such in the past and never frequented the place again, those we do go to remember us and we get good service - some are slowly coming round to the notion that repeat business is good business and are making more of an effort on the service front.
Hua Hin has hundreds of eateries though, you could probably eat at one a day for a year and still not visit them all!
Well done for not mentioning the name of the joint, it would probably cause gripes because a moderator has made a comment.
Hua Hin has hundreds of eateries though, you could probably eat at one a day for a year and still not visit them all!
Well done for not mentioning the name of the joint, it would probably cause gripes because a moderator has made a comment.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
You tried everything else and nothing worked so leaving the correct payment and walking out should be no problem and imo was the right thing to do. It sounds like you like this place and have eaten there frequently without problems so I would give it another chance, but I think I would insist on discussing the previous incident in a friendly and constructive way with the owner, if farang; if Thai, maybe not, and just give them another chance if you really like the place or "vote with your feet" as Buksi said if it's not one of your favorite restaurants.
I've had order problems here nearly 50% of the time so it isn't unusual, but the staff doing nothing about it is for me. Usually if I point out the error it is corrected, or sometimes if the error is small, like a different side from the choice I made from the available selections, I just let it go 'cause TIT.
I've had order problems here nearly 50% of the time so it isn't unusual, but the staff doing nothing about it is for me. Usually if I point out the error it is corrected, or sometimes if the error is small, like a different side from the choice I made from the available selections, I just let it go 'cause TIT.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
Good places tend to read your order back to you. Helps if you have a Thai in your party
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
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margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
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- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
It's a shame when this happens but would you really want to go back?
I agree that if farang owned the owner should be receptive to a quiet word. Often owners aren't aware when things are going wrong. If Thai owned then often you are wasting your breath - sabai sabai.
I agree that if farang owned the owner should be receptive to a quiet word. Often owners aren't aware when things are going wrong. If Thai owned then often you are wasting your breath - sabai sabai.
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
I thank all of you for your helpful posts. I intend to go back, walk in with a smile and a 'sawadee cup' and just get on with it. I have responses to some of your questions and comments.
The restaurant appears to be Thai owned, so I'll be happy to put this incident behind me if they do the same.
>Personally I'd vote with my feet - if I got sour service and attitude somewhere why go back?
It's one of my favorite places to eat. I love the food, value, location and (usually) service. With the exception of the waitress in question, the staff is always helpful and pleasant.
>Well done for not mentioning the name of the joint
Didn't mention it because I had an issue with the waitress, not the business.
>sometimes if the error is small, like a different side from the choice I made from the available selections, I just let it go 'cause TIT.
Me too. But the wrong dish's main ingredient is something I never eat, so I made it an issue.
The restaurant appears to be Thai owned, so I'll be happy to put this incident behind me if they do the same.
>Personally I'd vote with my feet - if I got sour service and attitude somewhere why go back?
It's one of my favorite places to eat. I love the food, value, location and (usually) service. With the exception of the waitress in question, the staff is always helpful and pleasant.
>Well done for not mentioning the name of the joint
Didn't mention it because I had an issue with the waitress, not the business.
>sometimes if the error is small, like a different side from the choice I made from the available selections, I just let it go 'cause TIT.
Me too. But the wrong dish's main ingredient is something I never eat, so I made it an issue.
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
I experienced something similar 2x at a well-known place on SaSong near the market.
I just couldn't be bothered going back, lots of other places serving the same food at the same price.
I just couldn't be bothered going back, lots of other places serving the same food at the same price.
Happiness can't buy money
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TypicallyTropical
- Professional
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- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:30 am
- Location: Citizen of The World
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Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
As a former F&B guy and someone who reviews restaurants for a web site in Hawaii, I agree with the above. There are lots of restaurants to chose from in HH. Unfortunately, these people "forgot" that they are there for the customer and not the other way.buksida wrote:Personally I'd vote with my feet - if I got sour service and attitude somewhere why go back?
TT
Citizen of The World
"I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather....
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car..."
Citizen of The World
"I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather....
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car..."
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
TypicallyTropical wrote:As a former F&B guy and someone who reviews restaurants for a web site in Hawaii, I agree with the above. There are lots of restaurants to chose from in HH. Unfortunately, these people "forgot" that they are there for the customer and not the other way.buksida wrote:Personally I'd vote with my feet - if I got sour service and attitude somewhere why go back?
true for so many business these days, especially the ones ruled by farangs ... Europe often is a service nightmare
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
Average food and service I can take as long as not every time or overpriced. Attitude that is not called for and warm beer will get the foot and wallet vote every time.
Crazy 88
Crazy 88
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
OP here. Been back twice and it's as if the problem I wrote about never happened.
Re: Did everyone save face, or should I not return?
So, everything regarding the food and service worked out great on your two visits?Homer wrote:OP here. Been back twice and it's as if the problem I wrote about never happened.