waiter spilled a drink on my 3 yo son....WWYD?

[Tigger&Belle]

In answer to those who wonder how many apologies someone needs.

In my opinion, I don't think one apology IS generally enough. I think many things require two apologies - one at the instant it happens and another when things calm down. I really can't think of exceptions.

IMO, the first apology is generally just a reaction to the moment - sort of like an OMG exclaimation. That is not the same as a sincere apology that is made at something other than the moment of panic.

If the waiter was too embarassed to return to the table, then management should have made the more formal apology. A simple, sincere apology and an offer of a treat for the crying child would have smoothed the whole thing over.

I agree! At the very least the waiter or a manager could have brought over some napkins that you could have stuck under his shirt/jeans until they dried. If the PF Changs were in a mall, if would have been nice if he had of offered to have bought dry clothes, but at least the napkins would have helped it not be right next to his skin.

It's iced tea, so at least nothing that would burn, but it was annoying and they could have at least acted a bit more sorry. I assume that it didn't stain his clothes.

 

[PhotobearSam]

In answer to those who wonder how many apologies someone needs.

In my opinion, I don't think one apology IS generally enough. I think many things require two apologies - one at the instant it happens and another when things calm down. I really can't think of exceptions.

IMO, the first apology is generally just a reaction to the moment - sort of like an OMG exclaimation. That is not the same as a sincere apology that is made at something other than the moment of panic.

If the waiter was too embarassed to return to the table, then management should have made the more formal apology. A simple, sincere apology and an offer of a treat for the crying child would have smoothed the whole thing over.


Here here...nicely said.

 

[grlpwrd]

Ohhh jeez, now the OP is 'festering'!!!

She vented a little bit here for goodness sakes! I haven't read every single post letter for letter, but I see nowhere where she plans on suing the restaurant or anything.

Hey, OP, now there's an idea!!! You could get rich off this I tell ya!!!

Of course, I know she was venting. What are you talking about? suing, too? I never mentioned it, but I did mention it in another post on one of the other boards. Hmmm.

She stated This time though i can't stop thinking about it! and I interpreted it as being on her mind as in festering in her mind. Festering as in what Langston Hughes, one of my favorite writers, wrote about in his poem, What happens to a dream deferred?

OP, I am glad you are not festering. I wish I could say the same for others. lol

 

[lillygator]

I haven't read more than the first page but OP has your child NEVER made a MESS or MISTAKE in a public place? If not, than god bless you, sue that unforgivable waiter that accidentley dropped an ice - not even long island - tea on your kid!

 

[katerkat]

I haven't read more than the first page but OP has your child NEVER made a MESS or MISTAKE in a public place? If not, than god bless you, sue that unforgivable waiter that accidentley dropped an ice - not even long island - tea on your kid!

Did you even read the first page? THe OP said (on the first page, not the first post)

i'm just perplexed at his behavior after the accident! i would have apologized over & over...But thats me...i think he was a bit imbarrased. and the mommy is mad comment i don't think he heard.... our shirt is already in the wash. i have a 3 year old son, there have been FAR WORSE things spilled on his good shirts other than iced tea!!! it never even entered my mind for a new shirt.....

I don't see any mention of suing the waiter, or the company, or anyone.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't think anyone said that. Someone had mentioned if it was their kid--their kid doesn't like strangers up close or something--so the waiter trying to make nice with her kid wouldn't work and would make the situation worse.


Don't think anyone was calling the waiter a weirdo.

Thanks for clearing that up. It was impossible to read the whole thread and a few posts came across rather strangely.

Now back to our regularly scheduled indignation.

 

[FreshTressa]

Wow...I can't believe there is a 9 page post about a kid getting a drink spilled on him.

I guess we DISers can find controversy in anything, lol.

 

[dwheatl]

I haven't read more than the first page but OP has your child NEVER made a MESS or MISTAKE in a public place? If not, than god bless you, sue that unforgivable waiter that accidentley dropped an ice - not even long island - tea on your kid!

My kids have left a big mess a few times, and I left a big tip to make up for it. If the waiter makes a big mess, then the restaurant should make some kind of restitution. Giving a free appetizer or dessert does not cost the restaurant much, but it shows the customer that they are truly sorry that the evening's experience wasn't all that it could be.

When I was a waitress, I comped a few meals that were less than perfect (e.g. a moth in someone's nachos).

It's nice to be responsible, but I have to admit that my son vomited all over the people in front of us at the sea lion show at Sea World, and I grabbed both my kids and my husband and ran out of there as quickly as possible. Thank God it was the last show of the night. I was so embarassed, but I had to laugh when my son said, "So that's what happens when you stick your finger down your throat!"

 

[mickeyboat]

To the OP - I am still sitting here at the Poly with my crock pot holding a beach chair for you. Where have you been? Are you still looking for your crocs?

Just wanted to lighten things up a bit.

Denae

 

[Philadisney]

being a bit OT but this thread keeps reminding me of sordid moments from my past i recalled my 21st birthday when my roommates and i went out to a local mex place for margaritas....my one roomie had broken her foot and had crutches and a ace bandage/soft boot thing wrapped around her leg. the waitress brought out a huge tray of margaritas, tripped, and dropped them all on...you guessed it...my injured roomies foot. got just one apology for that one too! ah well, it was my birthday and after downing the replacement margaritas brought out 10 minutes later, no one much cared anymore

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Just wanted to note, as someone who was a waitress all through college - most places train their waitstaff to apologize ONCE for something like that, then turn the issue over to management, who would usually comp the table. Just my experience........

 

[kristen821]

I am at work and you made me laugh out loud so now people are going to think I am crazy!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Okay, speaking as a server, the lack of yours after the accident tells me one thing. He was probably VERY embarrased especially after asking is he mad at me and getting a no but mommy is. The FIRST thing I would have done besides fussing over your son and making sure the little man was okay was to then go get a manager to come speak to you. Accidents do happen and I can happily say that after 18 years of waiting tables I have NEVER spilled on a guest. Yes I have spilled, but never on the the guest. Knowing my managers the way I do, we would have offered you either a free appetizer, your child's meal for free, or a free dessert.
I'm sorry this happened to you, but as said before, let it go. Just don't dine at this establishment again and that will be the end of that.

Blessings to ya,

Denise

 

[pyrxtc]

T friendly's yesterday, the waitress spilled a glass of Chocolate milk all over my MIL. I had to actually tell my MIL to get up since she was in such shock that she just sat there letting the rest run off the table onto her. We helped claen it up and the waitress apologized but after the initial apology, what mroe could be done. We could have been mad and asked for a comp appetizer or something but accidents happen. We have 4 kids, we definately know accidents happen. let it go. Is it really worth all the fuss to continue being upset the next day! Relax, enjoy life and be happy that you are all healthy and can go out to dinner like that.

 

[TeresaNJ]

While dining at Raglan Road for the first time last month, our waiter spilled dipping sauce that came with the shrimp appetizer I had ordered all over my new top, skirt and new shoes. He did apologize and looked very embarrassed and brought me a few extra napkins. The sauce was also all over my chair and the floor and was very sticky. He never offered to clean it up and my husband helped me. I went to the bathroom to get the sauce off my clothes and shoes. We were there celebrating my son's 25th birthday, by the way.

Anyway, after I get back to my seat, the female manager comes over and asks what happened, and wants to give me her card to send her the cleaning bill. I said no thanks, that I got most of it out. I did expect her to comp something off our bill, like at least the appetizer that got spilled on me, but nope, nothing taken off. NADA. That will be the last time we eat there. Oh, and my poor son qot deathly ill that evening, vomiting and diarrhea all night. He said he will never eat there again, even though I tried to explain to him that I highly doubt it was the food he ate!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I had a bottle of ketchup explode on me at an Oldenburg's once. I was in such shock, with ketchup dripping down my nose. It had to look hilarious. The server was standing at the table next to us taking an order, saw me and literally RAN for the kitchen. He came back with wet, hot towels, lemons and the manager, who promptly comped my meal and offered me dry cleaning for the $4.99 Aeropostale tank top I was wearing. I never did get the dry cleaning, but I used the card he gave me to call corporate and tell them how nice they were.

Too bad the restaurant went out of business. It was really good.

DH was at a Chinese buffet and a waitress dropped a used plate full of sweet and sour sauce. It covered one side of him from ears to shoes and stained like nobody's business. The owner was completely unapologetic. He told DH that his meal (which probably cost, like, $1.99 to them) would have to come out of the server's paycheck (WTH?). When DH inquired about dry cleaning ('cause there was no way I'd be able to get that out on my own) the owner asked how much that would cost. DH said he didn't know, but he'd bring the owner the bill -- all $12 of it. The owner THEN hemmed and hawed over it and finally handed DH the cash out of the cash register and took the receipt. DH (nor anyone in his office) ever went back there, and that was about 4 years ago.

I'd be mad if it were DD, though. I think they handled your situation improperly.

 

[Southern4sure]

I stopped reading on page 5 so pleae forgive if this has already been mentioned.

I do not mean to sound rude but if it was not important enough to call over the manager at that time then why now is it important enough that you cant let it go?

Knowing it was an accident I would not have told the waiter I was mad at him. I would have expressed my displeasure with the manager. If my appetizer or meal was comped then fine but I would not have expected it.

 

[kristen821]

I had a bottle of ketchup explode on me at an Oldenburg's once. I was in such shock, with ketchup dripping down my nose. It had to look hilarious. The server was standing at the table next to us taking an order, saw me and literally RAN for the kitchen. He came back with wet, hot towels, lemons and the manager, who promptly comped my meal and offered me dry cleaning for the $4.99 Aeropostale tank top I was wearing. I never did get the dry cleaning, but I used the card he gave me to call corporate and tell them how nice they were.

Too bad the restaurant went out of business. It was really good.

DH was at a Chinese buffet and a waitress dropped a used plate full of sweet and sour sauce. It covered one side of him from ears to shoes and stained like nobody's business. The owner was completely unapologetic. He told DH that his meal (which probably cost, like, $1.99 to them) would have to come out of the server's paycheck (WTH?). When DH inquired about dry cleaning ('cause there was no way I'd be able to get that out on my own) the owner asked how much that would cost. DH said he didn't know, but he'd bring the owner the bill -- all $12 of it. The owner THEN hemmed and hawed over it and finally handed DH the cash out of the cash register and took the receipt. DH (nor anyone in his office) ever went back there, and that was about 4 years ago.

I'd be mad if it were DD, though. I think they handled your situation improperly.

I have a friend that works for the olive garden and they have to pay for whatever they spill (at full cost) they also have to pay if someone leaves without paying.