Don’t be a jerk: here’s how to send food back
‘Did you enjoy it?’ the server asks, while your plate is only half empty. ‘It was delicious,’ you say through gritted teeth. Really, you wanted to send that well-done steak back, but you don’t want to be that one jerk. This is how to send your food back without having the entire staff hate you.
There are plenty of people who send food back just for the sake of sending it back. People who want to show the staff how critical they are and how much they know about food. Whatever you do, make sure you never become this person (also known as the jerk).
Don’t be a jerk: here’s how to send food back
Still, sometimes something really can be wrong with your food. In that case, it’s best to say so, so the staff can help think of a solution and make sure it doesn’t happen to the next guest. Here’s how to do it best.
Be quick
The best time to say you’re unhappy? As soon as possible! That way, you still give the staff the chance to solve the problem and make sure you have a lovely evening after all.
Be clear
Why do you want to send something back? Is your brownie too dry, the soup too salty or the sauce split? Be as specific as possible about what’s wrong with the dish. If you give targeted feedback, the kitchen can still do something about it the next time.
Be honest
Can’t you give a specific reason, but simply don’t like it? That’s okay, but just honestly say that you had different expectations. It could also be that your taste doesn’t match the restaurant’s. Do you always eat very little salt and have you ended up in a restaurant where everything is seasoned super boldly? Say so anyway—the kitchen may be able to make your next dish less salty.
Did you just order a dish with fennel and forget for a moment that you actually don’t like fennel? Then perhaps keep quiet and happily share your fennel with your tablemates.
Be friendly
We had already established that you don’t want to become that one jerk. So always remain friendly while sending something back. No matter how annoying it is, it’s obviously never the server’s fault that your chicken is still raw. It is the server’s responsibility, however, to respond appropriately and, if necessary, make sure as quickly as possible that you get a dish you’re completely happy with.
Be patient
Finally: be a little more patient than usual. The current staff shortage in the hospitality industry is a huge problem. So many people lost their jobs during the lockdowns, and all those employees won’t simply come back. As we wrote earlier in this article about staff shortages and generous recruitment promises, hospitality business owners are at their wits’ end.
Stay calm, even (or perhaps especially) when someone is inexperienced, and treat the staff with respect. Do you see that someone handles it really well and is doing everything they can to solve it as quickly as possible? Then leave a good tip.
Read also:
- The most common spelling mistakes on menus
- A crash course in pronouncing food
- Emma’s food annoyances: paying for bread
