Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 15 16

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:

sapfu · 18/12/2013 11:14

I would have left her a 2p tip and written down 'Here is £10, Merry Christmas! PS I have discalculia.'

I wonder if the woman you spoke to was the one who had written the menu.

YANBU

HesterShaw · 18/12/2013 11:15

A dyslexic person being asked to write the menu?

OP, I don't think you weren't rude at all, though I don't know if I would have been bold enough to point out the error. If people want to try and present their businesses as high class establishments, they should proof read their written communication. A local hotel to us has delusions of grandeur, but because they apostrophise their plurals, I am not taken in for one moment :o.

People with dyslexia I have known always double and triple check their writing for errors.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/12/2013 11:15

Aren't you hilarious, sap.

You won't mind me telling you its dyscalculia, will you?

thebody · 18/12/2013 11:16

the dyslexic really people think that's acceptable?

My oldest son is dyslexic, it's not because he can't ' be bothered to learn to spell' he's got a degree in engineering and is joining the navy.

Thankfully he isn't a patronising twat of a lawyer.

GhostsInSnow · 18/12/2013 11:17

I'd have been grateful tbh. It depends how the menu/posters etc were made for the most part. If they are done through word or some other word processing type program then the spell check would pick up errors. If they are created in something like Adobe Illustrator then there is no spell check and it can slip through.

I'm currently sat here working on posters for an art classroom using illustrator which are basically lots of art related words. After a while of screen staring you do make mistakes and you don't always pick up on them, especially in a 'wordy' document. If someone tapped me on the shoulder now and said 'excuse me you don't spell 'undulating' like that for example, I'd be incredibly grateful and get editing.

MrsLouisTheroux · 18/12/2013 11:18

@ 'Nobody likes a smart arse' and 'waves correctional wand over society'.
I notice some spelling mistakes OP but I don't point them out. She was rude but so were you. I also don't know what your job as a lawyer has to do with anything.

snowed · 18/12/2013 11:18

Of course no-one wants to find out they've made a mistake. But that's life, isn't it? Learning from mistakes?

PumpkinPositive · 18/12/2013 11:21

Waitress was a trifle touchy. Did you spit in her soup?

Original poster

freckledleopard · 18/12/2013 11:21

thebody - I never used that term. The person behind the till did. I have simply repeated what she said verbatim.

OP posts:

sapfu · 18/12/2013 11:22

No, LRD.

I am dyslexic though!

genuinely lolling about that!

CocktailQueen · 18/12/2013 11:23

The OP didn't labour the point at all! she made the point. Once. The waitress was BU - how could a customer be expected to know that a staff member was dyslexic?? And why on earth didn't any of the other non-dyslexic staff members pick up on the mistake? She was being an arse. OP - YANBU.

HyvaPaiva · 18/12/2013 11:24

It sounds patronizing to me: 'I have a job that requires me to notice spelling' and 'I notice these things' are quite rude comments to make to another person because they strongly suggest 'and you don't'.

It's not about promotional business materials or gravy. Had you said 'god, i'm so pedantic that seeing gravy spelt with an 'e' makes me teeth itch', it would somehow seem friendlier and more casual, more approachable. 'Smiling' doesn't cancel out the fact that you spoke to her like you were her teacher.

You spoke down to her and the fact that you don't see it makes you look rather arrogant, I'm afraid.

Original poster

freckledleopard · 18/12/2013 11:24

I suppose my job (which I didn't mention to the assistant, btw) is relevant because it involves a shed load of proof reading and drafting documents. Lawyers are generally known to be pedantic and exacting. I suppose it would be the same if one were a writer or a journalist. Or a proof-reader

OP posts:

winklewoman · 18/12/2013 11:25

That's a bit cruel, LRD, sapfu might herself suffer from dyslexia.
You won't mind my pointing out that it should be 'my telling you' not me and it's not its, will you?

thebody · 18/12/2013 11:26

Ah well think the op came across as a patronising smart arse. I know she's a lawyer but that's not a good enough excuse.

winklewoman · 18/12/2013 11:27

Cross-posted with sapfu but a correct guess.

LadyBeagleEyes · 18/12/2013 11:27

I would have noticed, smiled and ignored. I'm generally a good speller but I wouldn't point out mistakes as I really don't give a shit.

NigellasDealer · 18/12/2013 11:28

Or a proof-reader
yes i am a proofreader and have been known to point out mistakes on chalk boards....
one classic was 'rashes' of bacon, I couldn't help but point it out...

mensachampion · 18/12/2013 11:28

But that's life, isn't it? Learning from mistakes?

Actually lots of people don't learn from their mistakes, and lots of people don't want to do any learning the minute they leave school, and are happy with an easy life.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/12/2013 11:28

It's not cruel, winkle, because, as my post said, she won't mind because she accepts it's ok to correct people despite whatever disabilities they have.

And I assume you don't mind that either, so is it ok if I point out your misreading of my post there? No? Good!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 18/12/2013 11:29

'rashes' of bacon would actually put me off. Yeuch!

Topaz25 · 18/12/2013 11:29

Spelling mistakes on promotional materials make the company look unprofessional. I recently told a company advertising business cards on Facebook that there was a typo in their advert, it said "vide" instead of wide. They were grateful for the input. I probably wouldn't have mentioned the menu, because I have a policy of not pissing off the people who serve my food and drinks. A general email to a company is likely to be taken more constructively than a conversation with an individual, who might take it personally.

I don't think it's fair on the Dyslexic colleague to have to write the menus without back up or support and I wonder if they know their disability is being discussed with customers?

DaisyBD · 18/12/2013 11:30

Why didn't you just rub out the 'e' with your finger?

SirChenjin · 18/12/2013 11:30

If owned a restaurant and I had misspelled something I'd be very grateful to you for pointing it out.

scottishmummy · 18/12/2013 11:30

You were out socially,op this wasn't work and didn't require the intervention
It was petty to bring it up,and unnecessarily wound up folk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 15 16

Swipe left for the next trending thread