Cafe’s reply to my review - is it any wonder places are struggling?

[KatieWa]

I reviewed a lovely cafe I visited last week whilst on holiday in Devon. I was really complimentary about the breakfast and said we found the service to be friendly and efficient. My review ended by suggesting the sign above the door isn’t overly appropriate - it stated ‘nobody leaves sober’. As someone who has a family member who has had numerous alcohol issues over the years I found this poor taste, and diplomatically worded this in the review.

The owner (publicly) replied to my review and said that’s the first feedback they’ve ever had about the sign and suggested everyone else has had a sense of humour when they’ve seen it.

I don’t think it’s a situation to make light of - is it any wonder the sector is on its knees struggling currently with this sort of attitude from a business owner?

Is the complaint not against the whole al-anon ethos...? Re the cafe having a sign up, and saying that's dreadful towards her family member who wasn't even there?...
They did not cause it, they cannot control it, and they cannot cure it.

Shall we also cut out all humorous references to drunkeness in literature whilst we're at it? going as far back as Shakespeare and chaucer

The sign was inappropriate and I would have found it odd in a cafe, but not enough to mention in a review.

I was in a clothes shop the other day and they had a sign saying noone leaves our shop naked. I have family members who are naturists and I was terribly offended!

Yep, I agree with you.

I'd definitely roll my eyes and probably internally judge them as being pathetic.

But I wouldn't waste my time or energy on an online review (of this cafe or anything else to be honest) and I say that as someone who has also lost a dearly loved one to alcoholism.

is it any wonder the sector is on its knees struggling currently with this sort of attitude from a business owner?

There are many reasons why this sector is struggling, but I am fairly certain this is not one of them.

You had a right to voice your view, and the business owner had a right to voice their view.

You are over reacting

I think it’s a weird sign for a cafe.
I think it’s weird to take issue with it in a review.
I think it’s weird for them to suggest, in a public response to a review, that you don’t have a sense of humour.

I agree with you OP. Having a drink / drinks - fine, British booze culture - no thanks.

This ^
The sign wouldn’t put me off but I wouldn’t judge you for the review at all, it’s your opinion about serious matter close to your heart
However the owner’s reply would put me off 100%, no way I would visit this place after reading it.

Hospitality is struggling because of the current rise in cost of living meaning that folk are less likely to spend money on treats/ meals out/ ice creams etc. They are also dealing themselves with increased raw material prices, utilities costs, increased minimum wages and NI contributions, plus the reduction in business rates rebates. That’s what is causing hospitality businesses to close. That being said, the humour around alcohol consumption needs to be looked at. I work in the industry but still recognise it’s the most damaging legal drug in existence. Had the sign said ‘ no one leaves without smoking crack’ the response to your post would have been very different.

I don’t have strong feelings either way about either the sign or your comment on it.

I do dislike overly defensive responses from business owners to reviews they don’t like. It doesn’t matter if all their other customers think the sign is hilarious - you didn’t, you didn’t say anything untrue and it’s fair enough to mention it.

Had a fantastic meal out a few years ago and was inspired to write a trip advisor review. The response from the owner was creative and genuinely very funny, so I ended up reading more reviews since each one had a similar personalised reply… well, after reading the owner basically tearing into some guy who’d waited too long for a delivery, I decided I wouldn’t be making a return visit. It was a mocking and deranged response to someone who seemed to have a genuine issue - and totally unnecessary among what were generally excellent reviews.

Some just don't take criticism well.

I agree that it's an outdated sign. Does the cafe actually serve alcohol? It would seems just odd to have in a cafe that doesn't serve alcohol. If it does serve alcohol, it could be in breach of its licensing as you can't promote intoxication.

I have had issues with alcoholism in the past (18 years sober) but it wouldn’t bother me. It’s naff and not funny but it wouldn’t offend me. It’s the tacky equivalent of a “love, laugh, live” type thing. If I was leaving a review I wouldn’t have mentioned it.

I’d imagine you’d make it through life a lot better if you did get a grip and didn’t take offence from a relatively innocuous sign.

@KatieWa do you think it's the responsible of others to keep your family member sober?

Why? Getting drunk isn't funny and we shouldn't encourage it.

You'd hate my pub @KatieWa we have had customers buy us stupid drinks related signs

It's meant in jest. They're not going to hold you down and pour liquor in you until you're pissed.

And no, signs are not why businesses in the sector are failing, it's shitty reviews and shitty government ignorance.

HTH

The issue is, that anything and everything in the world, is potentially upsetting to somebody. If you go down the route of "this shouldn't be allowed, because I personally am upset by it", you're either;

a) Opening the door to everyone else doing the same, and everything getting banned.

b) Saying that your preferences / dislikes, are somehow more valid than other people's. So people should ban jokes about drinking, because you don't like them, but keep vegan milk alternatives in cafes, because although some other person finds them offensive, you personally think oat milk is brilliant.

Hopefully you can see how neither of these are good outcomes!

Of course, you were well within your rights to go online and complain about the sign. Anyone can complain about anything they like, it's free speech! But the cafe owner was similarly within their rights to disagree with you. Or you're back to a variation on scenario b - "I am entitled to voice my opinions, because they're correct. Anyone who disagrees with me, shouldn't be allowed to do so, because they are wrong"!

Meh. I’d argue both points here

No, just sign makers.

Sign like that should have a trigger warning

What's the government ignorance you mention?

It’s a silly and outdated sign
But you are a bit silly too, mentioning it in a review. You clearly have far too much time on your hands

Your alcoholic family/friends are fully responsible for their own actions/ behaviour.

Nooones forcing alcohol down their neck @ReadingSoManyThreads