Ever had to have a word with elderly parent about how much they complain during meals out?

[thefourgp]

I was embarrassed….again and I’m really getting sick of it. There’s nothing wrong with complaining when it’s something genuine but it’s getting to the stage it’s every single time we go out for a meal and it’s petty crap. I take my elderly mum and her two best friends on a day out or for a meal every couple of months as a treat. None of them drive and they’re nice women in general but they seem to be constantly looking for something to complain about every single time now when we have something to eat. It’s getting to the stage I don’t want to take them out to eat any more. Last night the waitress offered to replace the meal or bring something else and one of them sat like a huffy toddler saying ‘you’ll just bring me another bad meal - I’ll just eat my chips. I’m not coming back here again.’. So what’s the point in complaining? She’s been polite, offered you a resolution and you’re still not happy. They took the meal off the cost of the bill but I was embarrassed about how rude she was to the waitress. It pisses me off. The other three of us had the exact same meal and there was nothing wrong with it. I’ve commented to them before about how much they complain and it goes in one ear and out the other.

British old people are universally known as the world's best complainers.
If you want to see happy old people, come here to the Pacific Islands. A far more joyful bunch.

I would stop taking them all out or just take your Mum out.

If their behaviour is as bad as you say it is then I just would not want to be associated with this.

Hospitality staff have enough challenging work/customerswithout having your motley crew there complaining. I hope you tip well.

You have to decide never to go out with them again or put up with it.
The choice as an adult is yours.

I have known someone who moans so much if taken out for a meal, it's just not worth the stress of feeling like shite during the event.

Strangely they are always incredibly polite when invited here. Perhaps I am a better cook than the chefs as the places we have chosen.