to have found this incident very upsetting

[jirella]

Me, DP, DC and Pil went out for Sunday lunch this afternoon. The waiter there was a really young lad and must have 16-17 year old. Everything was going well until the food was brought out when he was putting my dinner onto the table he was a little clumsy and some of the gravy on the food ran off the plate and onto me. At this time a girl in her mid 20s who seemed to be in charge came rushing over and slapped the back of his head really hard. She then went on to apoligise for younger brothers clumsiness and tell me she would deal with him and to offer me a free bottle of wine. I told her it wasn't a big deal but I've found the whole thing really upsetting as she hit him so hard.

DP said that it was standard big sistership (although as an only child how would he know) but it was put a real dampener on the afternoon and I feel quite upset at seeing it

As a mother with a DS of 16 and I had seen this happen I would definitely complain and I would have said something to the young woman. Totally unacceptable.

I think I would write a note explaining that you found it very upsetting and saying that you have decided that on this occasion you won't be reporting it to the police.

I would have been really upset too.

Complain. The fact they're siblings is irrelevant, that's an appalling way to behave.

ConferencePear- I was thinking of doing just that.

How humiliating for him.

Poor bloke.

I would contact the owners and explain to them that whilst it is a family run establishment their inability to leave the more negative aspects of their familial relationships outside of work hours is very off putting to customers.
Explain while a warm homely atmosphere is much sought after the bickering siblings is not.
They should get the point.
However 16-17 year old siblings believe themselves to be on another planet and most likely didn't grasp the full implications of their actions, thus there is a need for additional training in customer services .

Just spoken to DP about it and he has come round to my way of thinking so I'm defintely going to complain.

You mean you wouldnt have complained if your dp hadnt agreed?

Regardless of any sibling relationship, its highly unprofessional behaviour which shouldn't be happening in the workplace. The sibling thing is no excuse. I would be complaining personally.

Mind you, and in no way defending the behaviour, I have been a waitress for years and have worked with many many 17 year olds who I would gratefully stab with a fork by the end of the day. Doesn't mean I would actually do it though!

Were they culturally not-English, the brother-sister pair, I mean?