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

😆

Yeh I agree that overly defensive replies are offputting to folk on TripAdvisor.

I'm a bit of a review geek and put something on about places I eat and visit, very honest and always try to be positive about service or decor etc, usually it's taken in the way it's given. However one hotel I reviewed in Cyprus I gave five stars and raved about everything...I finished off just saying that the only suggestion I would make was one of those pull out lines on the balcony as there was nowhere for beach towels and swimwear to dry, otherwise absolutely perfect!

Jeez I thought it was constructive as folk were drying stuff on chairs and tables but the owner basically ripped me a new one for the suggestion. I thought it made him sound terribly petty in light of the great things I'd said.

You were a bit picky. If the cafe was generally good, why spoil your review by nitpicking about the sign? I doubt the sign will move an alcoholic out of abstinence and back into drinking

It’s a weird sign to have in a cafe but I wouldn’t have put it a review

I also think people at the other side of a review have a right to reply. Then the person reading the review has an account from both sides. I don’t think it’s right that someone can slate a place online in a one sided way, and not expect a response. If they disagree with a comment, they have every right to respond as they see fit. Believe it or not there are a lot of people who post negative stuff which don’t actually tell the full story, or are vindictive comments, because maybe the waiter didn’t smile enough, or they didn’t like the way their child wasn’t allowed to create havoc round the place. I’ve seen some really unnecessary comments on reviews.

Oh yes, and it's got to be someone else'S FAULT!!

You want the sign makers to take.on responsibility for adults with capacity
choosing to drink alcohol?

I’m honestly baffled by your reaction to this. Just read it and ignore.

I have a picture in my kitchen saying ‘save water, drink wine’. I don’t even drink much at all and don’t really like wine but it just made me smile. I’m worried you’d cause a fuss if you saw that in a bar/cafe!

ignore things you don’t like- stop policing other people!

This is mumsnet, where a second half-lager is a giveaway you are a raging dipsomaniac

Your alcoholic family/friends are fully responsible for their own actions/ behaviour.

Nooones forcing alcohol down their neck @ReadingSoManyThreads

It’s a silly and outdated sign
But you are a bit silly too, mentioning it in a review. You clearly have far too much time on your hands

What's the government ignorance you mention?

Sign like that should have a trigger warning

No, just sign makers.

Meh. I’d argue both points here

The issue is, that anything and everything in the world, is potentially upsetting to somebody. If you go down the route of "this shouldn't be allowed, because I personally am upset by it", you're either;

a) Opening the door to everyone else doing the same, and everything getting banned.

b) Saying that your preferences / dislikes, are somehow more valid than other people's. So people should ban jokes about drinking, because you don't like them, but keep vegan milk alternatives in cafes, because although some other person finds them offensive, you personally think oat milk is brilliant.

Hopefully you can see how neither of these are good outcomes!

Of course, you were well within your rights to go online and complain about the sign. Anyone can complain about anything they like, it's free speech! But the cafe owner was similarly within their rights to disagree with you. Or you're back to a variation on scenario b - "I am entitled to voice my opinions, because they're correct. Anyone who disagrees with me, shouldn't be allowed to do so, because they are wrong"!

You'd hate my pub @KatieWa we have had customers buy us stupid drinks related signs

It's meant in jest. They're not going to hold you down and pour liquor in you until you're pissed.

And no, signs are not why businesses in the sector are failing, it's shitty reviews and shitty government ignorance.

HTH

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

@KatieWa do you think it's the responsible of others to keep your family member sober?

I’d imagine you’d make it through life a lot better if you did get a grip and didn’t take offence from a relatively innocuous sign.

I have had issues with alcoholism in the past (18 years sober) but it wouldn’t bother me. It’s naff and not funny but it wouldn’t offend me. It’s the tacky equivalent of a “love, laugh, live” type thing. If I was leaving a review I wouldn’t have mentioned it.

Some just don't take criticism well.

I agree that it's an outdated sign. Does the cafe actually serve alcohol? It would seems just odd to have in a cafe that doesn't serve alcohol. If it does serve alcohol, it could be in breach of its licensing as you can't promote intoxication.

I don’t have strong feelings either way about either the sign or your comment on it.

I do dislike overly defensive responses from business owners to reviews they don’t like. It doesn’t matter if all their other customers think the sign is hilarious - you didn’t, you didn’t say anything untrue and it’s fair enough to mention it.

Had a fantastic meal out a few years ago and was inspired to write a trip advisor review. The response from the owner was creative and genuinely very funny, so I ended up reading more reviews since each one had a similar personalised reply… well, after reading the owner basically tearing into some guy who’d waited too long for a delivery, I decided I wouldn’t be making a return visit. It was a mocking and deranged response to someone who seemed to have a genuine issue - and totally unnecessary among what were generally excellent reviews.

Hospitality is struggling because of the current rise in cost of living meaning that folk are less likely to spend money on treats/ meals out/ ice creams etc. They are also dealing themselves with increased raw material prices, utilities costs, increased minimum wages and NI contributions, plus the reduction in business rates rebates. That’s what is causing hospitality businesses to close. That being said, the humour around alcohol consumption needs to be looked at. I work in the industry but still recognise it’s the most damaging legal drug in existence. Had the sign said ‘ no one leaves without smoking crack’ the response to your post would have been very different.

This ^
The sign wouldn’t put me off but I wouldn’t judge you for the review at all, it’s your opinion about serious matter close to your heart
However the owner’s reply would put me off 100%, no way I would visit this place after reading it.