Waiter dropped a pizza on me and caused a burn and ruined my dress (Joe browns) what is the least you would expect?

[snoopywife]

this happened yesterday. We just arrived in Pisa and went for lunch. The waiter brought the food over and as he was leaning over an entire, burning hot pizza slid off the plate and all down me. He apologised and started crying so went inside. I have a nasty burn on my tummy, plus it ruined my dress, bag and trainers. We were given a bill for the full amount, and we queried it with the manager. What would you expect in this situation?

I dont think so, it was a) funny and b) a play on "Sons crying now thanks"

I’d have thought they might have taken the food off the bill seeing as it wouldn’t have been a nice experience after that.
and maybe a contribution for the dry cleaning too.
Sorry about the burn and hope you’re okay, what a downer to start the holiday 🥴

How hot does a pizza have to be to cause a nasty burn through a dress?

That’s a very litigious viewpoint. Quite American to want to sue over a pizza in lap accident.

Please do tell me which degree you need to be a professional waiter- hint it’s not a profession. I waitressed for years and the shifts can be long on your feet, rushing around, the strain on the shoulders from the trays. Accidents do happen.

Accidents are only marginally “preventable” and not “very elementary mistakes” as if you are implying a waiter seriously thought pizzas go in laps not on tables.

Even robot waiters who can’t get tired can have an accident:

I'd expect the pizza that went for a burton to be replaced. But that's it really.
Accidents happen and stains can usually be sorted with sun/vanish/laundering.

You're being very sparse with the detail for some reason OP. What happened when you challenged the manager? What did he say? Did he waive the bill? Accidents happen but no management worth their salt should just shrug off a burnt customer, a tomato splattered dress and presumably one pizza down on that table's meal! Free meal, drinks on the house and possibly dry cleaning should've been offered.

Who exactly is wanting to sue? I'm not sure where this comes from?

For some of us, Joe browns is the most expensive we could ever afford. What a thoroughly nasty comment

Give it a rest. She can call it a tummy if she wants, far out.

Please do tell me which degree you need to be a professional waiter- hint it’s not a profession. I waitressed for years and the shifts can be long on your feet, rushing around, the strain on the shoulders from the trays. Accidents do happen.

How rude.

Of course any occupation can be done with professionalism - are you denying that? Anyone, in any walk of life, can show a professional attitude to their work - or they can be slapdash and careless.

I can't believe you think the word 'professional 'only applies to lawyers, doctors and ...accountants?

I always notice and appreciate - and massively respect - waiters and, say, retail staff, who do their job in a professional way.

Here…

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · Today 09:36
You mention Joe Browns like it’s Dior!

My goodness, there are some nasty, snobbish posts on this thread.

So - we should only make a fuss about damage to our property if it's very expensive 'designer label' stuff?

OK.

That would be my response to the waiter.

But I would expect the manager to withdraw the entire bill, and pay for the dress to be dry-cleaned (although Joe Brown clothes tend to be quite cheap fabrics, so probably that's why the dress is ruined). If the burn was really serious, I'd also expect that the restaurant would assist you to get local medical help.

thank you all for the replies, here’s what happened.

they didn’t offer anything. They billed for the full amount (I didn’t eat anything in the end) and we reminded them whst happened and asked for a discount. They refused, got aggressive and threatened to call police!

also I was really nice to the waiter when it happened, told him accidents happen and not to worry, etc, so I wasn’t arsey as such, I just found it surprising and upsetting that it happened, and they could see the damaged items so I thought they would offer a discount. But no …..

Not nasty. You wouldn’t say White Stuff, Fat Face or Next in the title of a post because it’s not that special - it’s the same thing, mid-range high street.

FWIW I’ve never bought designer clothes (nor do I aspire to) and the majority of my clothes are not expensive either.

Some people would sue - I'm not advocating that, though.

I've been on MN long enough to have read of many cases where people have sued for less than this! I don't agree with that view, but it's a common one and something businesses need to take into account.

Vicious and catty. Have a word with yourself

G5000 · Today 10:42 "tomato stain on Joe Browns clothes is probably an improvement to be fair."

This is the really nasty comment imo. Worse than saying Joe Browns isn't as high-end as Dior.

I stand by my viewpoint that it’s not worth mentioning in the post title 🤷🏼‍♀️

@snoopywifePlease tell me you didn’t pay???? The police would’ve taken one look at your damaged dress and told the restaurant to behave

Who do you think you are? Chief thread-editor?! 🙄🤣

We’re all allowed an opinion, just as you’re expressing yours.

Ideally:
Full meal paid
Reimbursement of the clothing items / cleaning fee
Restaurant pays for a medical check

However I imagine they would take that all out of the waiters pay check so I’d probably just ask for the meal to be free. But they don’t have to and you’re not going to become a regular so they won’t do that. Then they’ll just accept the bad review and won’t care.

I would expect my meal free but it was an accident

@NullaEffugium "Please do tell me which degree you need to be a professional waiter- hint it’s not a profession."

Waiting (cameriere/cameriera) is very much considered a profession in Italy. Many hospitality staff see it as a lifelong career and often attend specialised hotel and catering schools (istituti alberghieri) where they learn professional service, wine pairing and etiquette. Wait staff are generally viewed very differently in Italy.