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?

It doesn't matter if the sign is fine or not.

It doesn't matter if the OP has a point or not.

What matters is that a business should always reply to a customer review professionally.

'Thank you for your lovely review. We are really pleased you enjoyed your visit to our cafe, and that you found the food good and the service friendly. Thank you for your feedback regarding the door sign. We hadn't considered this perspective on the sign before and based on your review we will now think about making changes to the sign for the benefit of future customers. We do hope you will visit again in the future...'

You're right. That's the professional response.

Huh? It makes perfect sense in the context. It’s a cafe. A place where people go to chat and enjoy themselves. Saying no one leaves here sober is actually quite a nice saying in the context of a cafe surely?. It means after coming to the cafe no one leaves here sad. It’s not a play on words exactly as it is an actual definition and it might not have been the intention of the sign writer but actually I think it’s quite clever of the cafe owner to put it up!

Did they say anything about the many positives in your review?

I bet they've got a 'Live, Laugh, Love' sign somewhere in their house.

You are being overly sensitive and have no right to criticise, regardless of your personal opinions on that sign. People get so offended nowadays.

It's a pun! Suggesting that nobody leaves here in bad spirits. Maybe that they also have a tipple and leave slightly tipsy.

But it would make more sense to say 'Everyone leaves here happy' or 'Everyone leaves with a smile' etc.

If they really did mean that I honestly don't think it's clever at all. Cryptic, yes.

I've seen that same sign in pubs. It's clear what it means. The majority of people seeing that sign will assume they're talking about drinking alcohol.

Well I would be leaving sober. One, I'm teetotal and two, I'm a miserable bitch.

I am missing the laughter emoticon more than I miss drinking copious amounts of cider in my 'yoof'.

But that would ruin the joke then right? The joke is it is the same sign you would see at a pub!

I don't think this is something you should have raised in a review. If you had an issue you should have contacted them directly to give feedback.

The OP seems the sort of person who books in meetings which could have been an email.

And closes drawers with her hip.

Why introduce the laughter "response" or whatever, just to snatch it away again?!

I

Get a grip!

That’s a really good example. After reading your review I would book a holiday there and would go on Amazon to find something for drying. However after seeing his response I wouldn’t book a holiday - his response would signal me that in case of an issue he wouldn’t behave reasonably.
Things can go wrong non intentionally but it’s the attitude that matters.

I didn't take offence. I said I'd just roll my eyes at it depending on what mood I was in.

Well no, because they're dead.

😂🤣

Chill.

I agree. I mean if l didn't find the sign funny, l would just crack on with my day - wouldn't occur to me to mention it on a review

Fgs. Get a grip.

One reason businesses are struggling is because of ridiculous complaints like this.

I have a close relative who suffered with lifelong alcohol problems and wouldn’t in a million years post a review commenting on their sign.

You’re being ridiculous and completely over sensitive. Thinking it’s not funny is one thing but posting about it in the review is over the top. YABU.