to have pointed out a spelling mistake in a menu?

[freckledleopard]

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?

[AlaskaNebraska]

It doesn't matter. I've just noticed the dyslexia thing creep in more. Previously oeople just said they couldn't read. It's hard to explain the relevance out of context

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Oh, I see.

I suppose that's because it's become better known, hasn't it, so it's an easy excuse to reach for.

[aciddrops]

OK hmc I'll carry on a little longer - just for you ;)

Alaska

It doesn't matter. I've just noticed the dyslexia thing creep in more. Previously oeople just said they couldn't read. It's hard to explain the relevance out of context

Possibly because admitting that you are dyslexic is less taboo than it used to be. Did you know the following people are dyslexic - Richard Branson, Richard Rogers (the architect), Damon Albarn, Jamie Oliver, Darcey Busssell, Agatha Christie, Roald Dahl, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Lynda La Plante, Benjamin Zephaniah.

I don't think I would claim to be superior to any of these dudes just because they find it hard to spell.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Einstein wasn't dyslexic. Or at least, there's no proof he was. People also claim he had Asperger's/ADHD/whatever.

[aciddrops]

OK, maybe I should have stuck to people who are still alive. However, it is documented that Einstein was particularly crap at school and not expected to amount to much.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

True.

I am a giant pedant about that one, proving it is possible to be hypocritically pedantic. I'm sorry if I offended you by saying it.

[JapaneseMargaret]

I am a pedant and notice errors all the time.

We were in a cafe yesterday with food displayed behind a glass cabinet. One of the items was "Scone's". I discreetly tried to scratch the apostrophe out with my fingernail as I waited to be served, but it wasn't budging, so I gave up.

Never in a million years would I actually have said something. Purely because I just know, without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter how politely my comment might have been received, the person I was speaking to would have privately been thinking I was a total arse.

My desire not to be thought a total arse (even by strangers) overrides my desire to be right.

Good on you OP, for not minding one bit, being thought a total arse. :)

[aciddrops]

LRD. No offence taken. You have a perfectly valid point and I knew it was debatable ;)

[nauticant]

In my experience, my desire to be right = total arse more often than not.