Restaurant failed to compensate at the time for major wine spillage

[GiantKitten]

7 of us had a family meal out at a very nice local restaurant the weekend before Christmas & one of the waiters tipped a full glass of chilled white wine over DS2. Obv there were apologies, & mopping operations, but that was as far as it went at the time - it was a very busy night.

DS1, who has worked in several restaurants, said he was surprised they didn’t offer eg something off the bill or a complimentary bottle, but we weren’t that bothered & let it go.

DS2, following the Christmas distractions, pretty much forgot about it but suddenly remembered this week & has emailed about it. The general manager (who wasn’t there on the evening we went) is very apologetic & says he wants to “get to the bottom of it” before making any decision.

DS2 thinks a free meal for 3 of us would be fair! - what do you all think would be reasonable?

Sorry but nothing. My husband got a large glass of red and about half a pint of beer knocked over him at a pub a couple of months ago, all he asked for was a refund as he had to leave to shower and change. The pub did refund and gave us both both another drink on the house, i think that was sufficient given the soaking he got.

I work in a restaurant. I’d have been mortified to have done this, would have given the replacement wine for free and offered a complimentary dessert, just to the individual affected.

A month later an email like this would cause us all to roll our eyes and think ‘here we go a professional complainer’. Unfortunately, since Facebook reviews and trip advisor we do end up having to compensate for ridiculous things. A lady last week complained at how badly the place had gone down hill, because her dish came with carrots, as well as broccoli. (The menu only said broccoli). She ate all the carrots. Complained to three separate waitresses and expected to not have to pay for her meal.

And this is why the country is going to shit ... as my husband says

Well into CF territory

Is there a dry cleaning bill or ruined clothing involved. I’m not then DS2 is a CF.

Did they not replace the glass of wine? I'd be annoyed if I was charged for the wine I was wearing

Chilled wine does not normally set off a case of compensation-itis a month down the line. He forgot all about it, no cleaning bills involved, no trips to A&E were needed, no long term damage or skin grafts required! Another vote to say you were right to tell DS he is BVU and a CF to boot.
Has he ever knocked a drink over you? Did he take you and 2 friends out to compensate? Thought not!

DS2 is being very unreasonable and shouldn’t have emailed the manager. It was a glass of wine over a month ago; you aren’t entitled to anything, and there’s nothing for the manager to “get to the bottom of”.

GiantKitten my DS is also ASD and he too would expect "full compensation" probably involving a flight to the wine region where said wine was produced and staying in a 5 star hotel etc.

In your shoes, I'd be saying all the same things too and suggesting that everyone had a lovely meal that was only spoilt momentarily and leave it at that.

Not that he'd listen to me, but funnily enough none of his compensation requests have ever come to fruition!

Are you sure they didn't replace the wine at the time op or comp it off the bill? It would be fairly unusual if they didn't and charged for another glass.

So I'd assume they replaced the wine, aided clean up and apologised. Which seems fair enough.

Honestly. It’s just appalling to even entertain the idea of compo. It was an accident- maybe they should have done something on the night, like a free glass/bottle of wine. But, nothing now and certainly not meal for 3. Do you need counselling? Has it really affected your life in 2019? You’ve not done a good job on your sons if you all think this is ok.

Even thinking about the 'major' wine spillage a month after it happened is ridiculous.

It's far too late now - any demand for recompense should have been made at the time. I'm cringing thinking about how awkward it would be going to go in for a free meal (not that I think they'll offer that).

A waitress in Paris once spilt a large glass of red wine over my skirt. She just shrugged and said “Bof, the skirt is black, it will not show” as I scurried off to the toilets to dab tissue paper at it. I always remember her as the definition of insouciance.

It's interesting that you didn't post saying "my son has Asperger and made an unreasonable demand, I need to be able to tell him it's not ok, what words do I use" it was all what is reasonable, which would indicate you also think there should be comp at this stage for some odd reason.

Is the meal for three you him and his father by any chance?

My young adult DD was soaked after a waiter dropped a bottle of champagne at a prestigious London restaurant and it exploded. The people on the next table laughed loudly and she was very upset and felt humiliated. It spoilt what was a lovely (and expensive) and what was meant to be special evening for her birthday. The restaurant knocked all drinks off the bill and provided a complimentary afternoon tea for two, worth about £100, which I thought was extremely generous. Of course accidents happen and nobody was blaming the waiter but, in my view, a decent restaurant will do more than just give you another glass of wine. But of course you need to raise it at the time, not a month later.

I’d have thought any compensation should have been requested at the time.

Your ds is hardly traumatised by the event if he’s only just remembered to email them.

I think you’re being a bit of a cf and chancing your arm requesting something now after a month.