Me Complain?

Me Complain?

By Len Morgan

   I listened in on a conversation, at the bus stop, recently:

 “I drove past the Bengal Lancer yesterday; did you know they’d closed down?”

 “Yes, and I’m not surprised, I only ate there once myself.   Service was bad, the food lukewarm - obviously reheated - the sauces tasted as though they had been watered down and the portions were pretty small; we picked up fish and chips on our way home.   Vowed we’d never eat there again!”

   Truth is, we British have a distinct dislike of complaining!   If we don’t like something we simply vote with our feet.   We don’t go back and give people a second chance to rip us off!   For certain the French, Germans, Italians, and Americans would not meekly accept poor service or substandard food.   

   Maybe we should ask to speak to the manager and give him the opportunity to make amends?   But, we seldom do, we suffer in silence and do not revisit that establishment.   Perhaps there was a good explanation for what happened?   If we don’t ask we will never know.

   Anyway - proprietors beware!   It takes years to build up a good business, one bad night, discourtesy or delivery can destroy it all.   One dissatisfied customer tells between five and ten acquaintances who will take heed and go elsewhere.

   Maybe there should be a ‘customer comments' slip delivered along with your meal then at least the proprietor will know why he has gone bust!   

Customer satisfaction is what it’s about.