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Original poster

Cafe’s reply to my review - is it any wonder places are struggling?

284 replies

KatieWa · 07/06/2025 21:27

I reviewed a lovely cafe I visited last week whilst on holiday in Devon. I was really complimentary about the breakfast and said we found the service to be friendly and efficient. My review ended by suggesting the sign above the door isn’t overly appropriate - it stated ‘nobody leaves sober’. As someone who has a family member who has had numerous alcohol issues over the years I found this poor taste, and diplomatically worded this in the review.

The owner (publicly) replied to my review and said that’s the first feedback they’ve ever had about the sign and suggested everyone else has had a sense of humour when they’ve seen it.

I don’t think it’s a situation to make light of - is it any wonder the sector is on its knees struggling currently with this sort of attitude from a business owner?

OP posts:
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CantStopMoving · 08/06/2025 18:17

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 08/06/2025 16:58

My point is that they don't have to say they're thinking about it if they're not, just to appease OP.
They're happy with the sign.

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Yeah I am not happy with the idea they lie for the sake of it which what people think they should do. They were factual- everyone else either gets the joke or has never been bothered enough to mention it. They simply pointed that out. Why should they say they would review it when they have no intention to do that?

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 08/06/2025 16:58

CanILeaveMyJobPlease · 08/06/2025 08:31

Of course. My reply said "we will now think about making changes..." It didn't say any changes would be made.

However. If the business wants to make it clear they will not make changes they could phrase it
"...after much thought we have decided to continue with the sign in place for now, but will continue to review the situation...." or something like that.

Reviews should always be professional and if I ever read defensive replies from companies it puts me right off the company....

(sorry wrote this up thread but forgot to quote your comment treesandsheep)

Edited
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My point is that they don't have to say they're thinking about it if they're not, just to appease OP.
They're happy with the sign.

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 15:36

Crunchymum · 08/06/2025 15:09

It's odd though isn't it? A "nobody leaves sober" sign for a (presumably) daytime cafe who would have underage patrons.

It's not offensive, just a bit stupid really.

Maybe it's just not that deep though @KatieWa

Maybe they just like the sign?

Edited

So is a sign of Lord Kitchener from WW1, saying " Your country needs YOU" pointing his finger at us in 2025, but they're around.

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 15:29

Flashahah · 08/06/2025 15:06

Absolutely, she’s no doubt brewing her own alcohol from rhubarb!

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She hasn't offered me any rhubarb this year, so you could well be right.

Marble10 · 08/06/2025 15:27

Yeah, unfortunately OP you are THAT person on this occasion
Also who said the sector is on its knees? Cafes,
especially great ones thrive!

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 15:26

amigafan2003 · 08/06/2025 11:19

I don't think this went the OP wanted it to - not surprised they haven't posted again!

It's been backed up by many dogmatic posters since.
I wonder if they get up every morning, wondering what they can find to offend them today?

MrsSkylerWhite · 08/06/2025 15:12

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 07/06/2025 21:34

So do I

There's nothing amusing about alcoholism.

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So maybe don’t frequent places that sell alcohol, if it’s a personal issue?

I’ve struggled in the past so don’t 🤷‍♀️

FinancialWhines · 08/06/2025 15:12

It's a weird sign. It would annoy me too.

I bet they have a Live, Laugh, Love one at home.

Crunchymum · 08/06/2025 15:09

It's odd though isn't it? A "nobody leaves sober" sign for a (presumably) daytime cafe who would have underage patrons.

It's not offensive, just a bit stupid really.

Maybe it's just not that deep though @KatieWa

Maybe they just like the sign?

Balloonhearts · 08/06/2025 15:09

If you don't have more important things to think about, you need to find some.

Flashahah · 08/06/2025 15:08

amigafan2003 · 08/06/2025 11:19

I don't think this went the OP wanted it to - not surprised they haven't posted again!

Too upset at people talking about alcohol, it’s oh so upsetting mentioning drinking and then drinking to excess.

So upsetting she started a whole thread on it!

mbosnz · 08/06/2025 15:07

Oh, and I'm afraid I would definitely need my toes and my fingers to count how many relatives of mine have died from alcoholism and related causes.

mbosnz · 08/06/2025 15:06

As someone who is just over one year sober, and who will always struggle with alcohol addiction, I'd see the sign as 'different strokes for different folks'.

Yes, alcohol is a huge presence in our society, and far too many drink far too much. Others don't. It's legal, it's here, and we have to live with it.

Alcohol humor is also a big thing, and like all humor, some find it funny, some do not.

Flashahah · 08/06/2025 15:06

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 14:44

That's it then. A little bottle of wine makes all gardeners alcoholics.
I damn knew it, my daughter who's apparently teatotal spends a lot of time at her allottment.
I think the Allottment Association should put a sign up.
"No one leaves here sober."

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Absolutely, she’s no doubt brewing her own alcohol from rhubarb!

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 15:03

Moonlightdust · 08/06/2025 08:53

Do they serve them in the cafe? The only cafes near me offer tea and coffee 😂

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Are you asking for a friend , or you want the address?

Biggest bloody fuss ever over a sign,
I used to smoke and drank spirits very heavily for years. Until I decided to stop. Teatotal for years now, but I don't expect anyone not to indulge in drinking around me, or disapprove of them doing so.

This, "I'm right, so you'll do it my way", is becoming tedious. It developed by the awful curtain twitchers during covid and is still here with priggish people.

As for you knowing someone who died from alcoholism. I know two relatives who died in a car crash. Should I be complaining about manufacturers advertising cars to sell?

Moveoverdarlin · 08/06/2025 14:54

LillyPJ · 07/06/2025 22:18

Why? Getting drunk isn't funny and we shouldn't encourage it.

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Getting drunk can be very very very funny.

Jabberwok · 08/06/2025 14:51

Enrichetta · 07/06/2025 21:36

Drinking to excess is not funny.

But it's so much fun. Sorry but it's perfectly acceptable to get drunk and have a good time. If you are one of the, thankfully small, percentage of people who are alcoholic then for them no it's not, but for the rest of us I don't think the fun police should get involved.

PiggyPigalle · 08/06/2025 14:44

Flashahah · 08/06/2025 05:54

My local garden centre does, little bottles of wine.

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That's it then. A little bottle of wine makes all gardeners alcoholics.
I damn knew it, my daughter who's apparently teatotal spends a lot of time at her allottment.
I think the Allottment Association should put a sign up.
"No one leaves here sober."

DontSpareTheTalons · 08/06/2025 11:38

YANBU.

A review is a personal opinion. You didn't like the sign and stated at much. I thought the reply from the owner was thinned skinned and over the top. Not a good look for them.

amigafan2003 · 08/06/2025 11:19

I don't think this went the OP wanted it to - not surprised they haven't posted again!

zingally · 08/06/2025 11:14

A bit of a strange sign to have up in a cafe... In my experience, most cafes don't serve alcohol anyway...
But to comment on it... That's pretty sad. Even more so as it's not even you with the history of alcoholism. You got all offended on behalf of someone who wasn't even there.

Gwenhwyfar · 08/06/2025 11:06

Meanttobeworking · 08/06/2025 10:56

I never said it did.

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I was answering the main point of the thread. OP seems to think that not being sober is the same as being an alcoholic. She said she objected to the sign because she has relatives who are alcoholics.

DeftLemonTraybake · 08/06/2025 11:00

The review culture has led a lot of people to feel self-important.

Meanttobeworking · 08/06/2025 10:56

Gwenhwyfar · 08/06/2025 10:54

What's the same thing? That you can get tipsy in a cafe just as you can in a pub? Yes, absolutely and there was nothing wrong with the sign. It didn't say 'come here to be an alcoholic'.

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I never said it did.

Gwenhwyfar · 08/06/2025 10:54

Meanttobeworking · 08/06/2025 10:52

Same thing isn’t it? Though merry isn’t blind drunk of course

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What's the same thing? That you can get tipsy in a cafe just as you can in a pub? Yes, absolutely and there was nothing wrong with the sign. It didn't say 'come here to be an alcoholic'.

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