Rainforest Cafe Rant (not mine)

[boomhauer]

Nope - Not mine this time. A friend of mine. Thought I'd share as I personally think Rainforest did nothing wrong.

Anyways, last Saturday my friend and some of his family went to Rainforest in Massachusetts for his birthday. There were 8 of them. Like me, he's a Safari Club Member. In case you didn't know, Safari Club members get priority seating for 6 people or less. My friend wasn't aware of this. He thought it was for as many people as you have in your party.

So, they tell him it will be about 20 minutes. He gets mad, asks to speak to the manager, and the manager explains the policy and there's nothing he can do. My friend continues to complain that this policy must be new.

His mother has difficulty standing for a long time. He's also mad because they won't seat them because of his mother.

Finally gets seated. They all order. Another perk of the Safari Club is you get 10% off each entree for up to 4 people in your party. He says it used to be 10% off the entire bill, so he starts complaining about that. Again, manager tells him it's policy.

Says he'll never go back.

This is one reason I don't go out to eat with him and his family. Done it a couple times and they're always like that. I personally think Rainforest is completely in the right and he's being totally unreasonable.

What would you say?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would say nothing and NEVER go out to eat with him. What a tool.

 

[hercamore]

The guy shoudl read the Safari club rules before he decided to eat there with such a large group.

Rainforest is not a good restaurant to take an elderly person to anyway. Way too loud. I know my 80 yo father would not like it.

herc.

 

[Daxx]

You're right -- the company did nothing wrong. They can change policies as they see fit.

What I'd ask your friend is why didn't he check the policy to be sure it was as he thought before he went!? Just to assume things might be the same as they were doesn't mean they are. I mean, I was in WDW in Jan. Could some of the resort or park policies have changed? I'm sure a few have! Does that mean that I should get what was in the past? No ... it means, like everyone else, I get the going policy!

 

[boomhauer]

I feel bad saying this as he's a friend of mine, but he's very childish and completely unreasonable, as our his parents.

He called the corporate office and complained how this is not the way it used to be. I felt like telling him, "SO WHAT?"

He mentioned how after a while the manager wouldn't even respond to him. Again, sorry but I agree with the manager. He was being unreasonable.

He told me he asked the manager for a chair for his mother and the manager refused. That I think is just a lie.

 

[VanniGirl]

Wow - he sounds like a fool.

I agree - don't go to dinner with him.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I've had the safari club card for two years now and it is 10% four entrees. I don't remember it ever being 10% off the entire bill. I'm with Rainforest Cafe on this one two. Although I'd wish they'd let larger groups get priority seating. Say up to 10 people. It seems I'm always there with more than six people. But that's what the rules stated when I signed up.

 

[sweet angel]

I think some people just like to argue and try to get something for nothing. He's probably one of those people that chips in for the bill to the penny based on what he's eaten.

 

[Lanshark]

Some people can find something to complain about no matter what they're doing or where they're at. I typically stay away from this type because there is constant drama that brings everyone in the group down.

 

[Christine]

He's one of those people who will always try to get something for nothing or more than they deserve.

We had some friends who were somewhat like this (not as bad) and would drive me nuts. We would always go to this one restaurant that was a bit on the pricey side (but great food and service). No lie, he would LOOK for little things to go wrong to complain about so he could get his meal comped. The worst part was that the restaurant always did it. It just got embarrassing.

The last straw was when he didn't eat all of his steak. He had about 2 bites of mashed potatoes left on his plate. The waiter packed up the food. When my friend got home, he noticed his two bites of potatoes were not in the container. He called them in a rage and the sent him a $25 gift certificate.

 

[mrsv98]

My FIL is like this. He now has only 2 or 3 restaurants in his area he can go to, he has been banned from all the others.

 

[boomhauer]

You know what's funny - I've earned that reputation with some on the DIS, and I am the exact opposite. Guess it's my fault for complaining here instead of restaurants.

I take my family out to eat alot. We encounter our fair share of problems, but I NEVER say anything. I think I've returned food maybe 2 or 3 times in my life if it was undercooked or I got the wrong dish.

 

[boomhauer]

My FIL is like this. He now has only 2 or 3 restaurants in his area he can go to, he has been banned from all the others.

Is he aware that he's like that or just oblivious?

 

[mrsv98]

Is he aware that he's like that or just oblivious?

He is the most self-centered person I have ever met. He never moved out of the "me me me" stage that young children go through. He has no empathy and few morals. I always tell DH that I am amazed at what a great husband and father he is given his "roll model"

 

[boomhauer]

He is the most self-centered person I have ever met. He never moved out of the "me me me" stage that young children go through. He has no empathy and few morals. I always tell DH that I am amazed at what a great husband and father he is given his "roll model"

Is he still married? If not, maybe I could hook him up with my MIL.

 

[Steffi]

My brother does this at every restaurant and hotel he goes to. He and his wife complain about every little thing until they're given something for free. And then they brag about it to anyone who will listen. I never go out with them anymore; I was mortally embarrassed the one time they did that with me along.

I just can't see going out and complaining about everything! I mean, even if you got everything for free, wouldn't the ceaseless complaining totally detract from your enjoyment of the meal or vacation?

 

[Camicar]

My brother does this at every restaurant and hotel he goes to. He and his wife complain about every little thing until they're given something for free. And then they brag about it to anyone who will listen.

We knew a couple like this -- or rather, the wife was like this and the dh was a wimp and let her get away with it even though he clearly wanted to die. She would plan how she was going to make a service person's life hell in order to get something for free.

We no longer are friends with them -- just couldn't take the wife any more. Too bad, the guy was a nice person but the woman was just toxic.