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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to have pointed out a spelling mistake in a menu?

384 replies

freckledleopard · 18/12/2013 10:16

First off, I really don't think I was being unreasonable, but would like others' opinions please.

I went for drinks last night in a cafe I'd not been to before. The various food options were written on a blackboard above the tills. One of the options described sausages and "gravey". I didn't say anything initially - ordered my drink, thanked the server and went to my seat. Later in the evening, when ordering again, whilst waiting for my wine, I spoke to the same assistant and said, with a bit of a smile, "Sorry, I just wanted to point out that "gravy" is not spelled with an "e" in it". I smiled again to reiterate I was being friendly and added, "I just notice these things!" (which is true. I'm a lawyer and a pedant.)

The woman's demeanour immediately changed at this point. She said "well, I didn't write it, but I'll be sure to tell my dyslexic colleague that she spelled it wrong" (she really did emphasise the word dyslexic). Again, I smiled (awkwardly now) and repeated that I had a job that made me notice spelling errors. Again, she repeated that she would be sure to tell her "dyslexic colleague that she couldn't spell 'gravy'".

I paid for my drink and walked away blushing, feeling really pissed off. Frankly, if you're going to have a dyslexic colleague write the menus, surely it would be common sense to double check the spelling? Further, I always point out spelling and grammar mistakes on public signs and leaflets (and have been known to tweet companies whose packaging contains errors) so that the relevant people can correct them.

I'm still pissed off today (and yes, I appreciate it's a first world problem). But AIBU to think the assistant was rude, abrupt and should perhaps have graciously accepted what I said, maybe made a joke of it, rather than having a go at me?

OP posts:

msmoss · 18/12/2013 14:52

thebody if it's just a simple mistake on a chalk board then what is the problem with someone pointing it out?

Namechangersanon · 18/12/2013 14:52

YABU!

I'm intrigued OP, after the response you've had on this thread, do you still think you were right to correct the spelling mistake or can you now see that pointing out mistake as you do will most probably lead to people getting the hump.

Have you learnt anything or are you still determined to share your special brand of love, joy and correct spelling to the nation and to hell with how it makes people feel.

Btw I wouldn't go back to that pub, the staff will spit in your drink - or worse....because you will be very memorable.

MaidOfStars · 18/12/2013 14:54

if it's just a simple mistake on a chalk board then what is the problem with point of someone pointing it out?

Fixed.

Original poster

freckledleopard · 18/12/2013 14:54

That's ok, namechangersanon - they served my wine in a tumbler, so I wasn't planning on going back again anyway!

OP posts:

givemeaclue · 18/12/2013 14:58

You do know they will have spat in your food?

Yabu. It is rude to point out other peoples errors.

Pagwatch · 18/12/2013 14:58

Arf at 'jus'

ViviPru · 18/12/2013 15:01

they served my wine in a tumbler

And you were worried about a misplaced 'e'?

winklewoman · 18/12/2013 15:03

sapfu

MN at its daftest.

msmoss · 18/12/2013 15:05

MaidofStars well it could go either way, I'm probably on the fence on whether the OP was actually being unreasonable as I'm generally not bothered about people pointed out my spelling mistakes and if I owned a cafe I'd want the menu to be spelt correctly, but I can see how this would could easily come across as rude.

HesterShaw · 18/12/2013 15:05

"Oi, you there, serving wench. Have you thought of getting an education so you don't have such a shit job?"

Sniggering my head off at that :o

nauticant · 18/12/2013 15:18

What an entertaining thread this has been. It's also been good to have had my impression confirmed that lawyers tend to be happy-go-lucky fun-loving types.

magnumicelolly · 18/12/2013 15:30

Why do people get so twitchy about people pointing out spelling mistakes? If I make a mistake, I like to be told, in case I didn't realise. It may just be a typo/one off error, but it may be because I don't know how it should be spelt. I would rather be told so that I don't make the same mistake when it actually matters. For example, if 50 job applications come in for a particular position, many employers simply bin those with grammar and spelling errors to cut the number down to a more manageable amount. Why do some people think it is fine to carry on making the errors, but absolutely terrible to dare to point them out? It just seems odd to me.

GreenShadowsOfTheChristmasTree · 18/12/2013 15:45

People tend to get twitchy about spelling when it is in public and therefore representing the organisation involved.

When we had an appalling written email from school about a problem one of the DC was having, my DH wrote back acknowledging the problem but also drawing attention to the way it was written (this wasn't just spelling, but grammar too) and copied the head of department in on it.

The HoD then of course wrote back saying the teacher was dyslexic which, as others have said is fair enough, but when they are writing on behalf of the school about an important subject, we did feel that someone who knows they have a problem with writing should at the very least, get it checked before sending the letter out.

MaidOfStars · 18/12/2013 15:48

Why do some people think it is fine to carry on making the errors, but absolutely terrible to dare to point them out? It just seems odd to me

It's not so much the pointing out of an error, but the context.

When reviewing a colleague's CV, it is more than reasonable to point out mistakes.

When reviewing a legal document, it is more than reasonable to point out mistakes.

When buying a drink in a cafe, not so much.

thebody · 18/12/2013 15:50

missmoss if it's a simple mistake on a chalk board why bother!

thebody · 18/12/2013 15:52

maidofstars exactly so. And amazed some posters really can't tell the difference.

msmoss · 18/12/2013 15:54

I think you'll find it's ms

SunshinemMum · 18/12/2013 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thebody · 18/12/2013 15:58

sorry I don't have a degree therefore I am indeed as thick as a plank and can't spell for toffee.

Have lots of friends though.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/12/2013 16:01

'Perhaps "jus" would have been less controversial.'

This may be my favourite ever MN response.

The dyslexia thing is a giant red herring.

Sure, if the OP had said she'd corrected a subordinate at work, it might be relevant - in that in a law firm, someone who has a reason for being a bit crap at spelling might need extra help rather than a bollocking.

But in a random cafe? Really? Who gives a flying fuck.

Busybusybust · 18/12/2013 16:02

Yesterday, from the board outside the training restaurant at the FE college where I work

'cock au van'

It made me smile.

Original poster

freckledleopard · 18/12/2013 16:06

See, busy, it'd make me wince and I'd avoid the place like the plague.

OP posts:

HesterShaw · 18/12/2013 16:06

In the (almost) words of the great Baldrick..."Yeah, it's cock which has been run over by a van."

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/12/2013 16:10

thebody · 18/12/2013 16:10

Busybusybust

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