To feel guilty for giving a bad review-was I wrong?

[Sunglassesonthetabletop]

Dd recently had a birthday party and we hired a company where a man dressed up as a character she loves and played with the kids and a photographer took photos.
We were all happy at the party and they turned up (obviously not in costume) the man who was due to dress up did not answer when we greeted him, he had a face like thunder and stormed through with his bag to the changing room, some of the parents noticed and there were raised eyebrows.
The photographer with him was a nice lady and I spoke with her.
When dressed as the character, he was fine, not hugely animated but the kids enjoyed and the photos were excellent. At the end he rushed out quickly but did at least half smile and said goodbye.
I don’t know his personal life or if he loves or hates doing this job, but I did find it off putting.
I don’t think I’ve written a negative review in my life, but they sent the questionnaire and I filled it with positives about the photos and the photographer. I did say the children enjoyed meeting and playing with this character. When it asked if i’d use again or recommend I ticked ‘Not sure’ instead of ‘Yes, definitely’
On the extra comments box, I mentioned all the positives and that the kids enjoyed it and the photos were great, but I did mention that upon greeting the clients (us) at the party, the man was very unfriendly and angry/miserable looking, didn’t greet us and stormed through and parents noticed and it’s probably not the best start to a happy day where people are celebrating and in good spirits.

Was I mean? I’m now wondering if I should have just left it as maybe he was having a bad day?
On the other hand, I think, well many of us have bad days, that’s life.

I ticked not to have the review published. They sent me an online questionnaire thing
Sort of, but not sure

So they will be the only ones to see it.

If you do feel guilty.., email to apologise?
If not, just crack on and don’t use him again

I always give fair feedback and feel no guilt. Your experience is valid. The guy might have been having an awful day but the very nature of his job requires him to put on a brave face and be happy for the kids.

You have given an honest review, whilst the kids were happy with the entertainment when he was in character he could have still made an effort to greet the parent paying for his services in a friendly and professional manner. You didn't slate him completely you just responded with the fact he could have used better manners on arrival. If other parents notice him arriving with what appeared to be a negative mood then clearly he wasn't being professional on arrival. If someone showed up like that when I've paid for their time and services I wouldn't book them again either

Is nobody concerned about hiring random men to come and cuddle kids at a birthday party?

Aww go on, tell us the character?

Sounds like he was running late. There's a lot of time pressure on jobs like this, and if he came hustling in without a word he'd maybe spent a couple of frenzied hours on a knife edge trying to beat some unforeseen traffic shit. And then parking. At a party venue where parking may already be taken, so he has to park miles away and leg it. Not excusing it, but if you have, say, three such sessions back to back in one day and each one comes with enormous pressure to get there on the dot, yeah, could well be stressful.

True, but that could be all of us? We were mid morning, so I assuming the first of the day for them, but not too early, sort timings out 🤷🏻‍♀️same as for any job

Yes but it’s from a company like you use/see with any of these type of characters, parties, events, shopping centres, Disney land…I guess it’s all the same. But yes I do think the same as I’m paranoid!

I think your feedback was potentially quite helpful. Being moody and unapproachable is not what people want in a children's entertainer so if he wants future bookings he'll have to work on his overall presentation with adults and not just focus on the character he becomes with the kids.

I think it is perfectly fine to give honest feedback to the company as how can they improve if you don't. I recently stayed at a private hotel in Scotland and after the visit was asked for a review by booking.com. There were a number of issues and if the owners had asked for feedback I would have given it but I didn't think it was fair to list their shortcomings on a public site.

He was dbs checked presumably?

Sounds fair to me, they might not like honest feedback but sounds offputting and a shame for them to lose repeat work because of his attitude when he is decent at the actual job. For me reviews are only to feel guilty about if you lie or maybe if go all in publically without speaking to them first to see if they can rectify; none of which you have done!

From a quality perspective, an honest and fair review is gold. You gave this. Fact is that this affected your experience and (I bet) you would go elsewhere next time because it made you and your guests a bit uncomfortable. If I was that business I’d want to know that.

But I do get you - I have agonised over feedback as I’d never want it to affect an individual or company unfairly (anxiety condition).

Has to be legally

Did you make sure and have a visual of it?

Do you think he was a pedo?

WTAF

Do they? I thought if they are not left alone with children then you don't need DBS?

Think it was a rhetorical question

I’m not sure what else you’re asking?!

I assumed they would to start the company? I really don’t know. He was not left alone with the children and was in our view the whole time

You said you get very anxious
So I asked if you’d checked and a had a visual of his dbs

I get anxious in terms of being a bit of a people pleaser and not wanting to upset people
I didn’t see anything visual about a check. We were all with him when he was with the kids.

You gave honest feedback on your experience that they solicited ,so ,i don't think you should feel bad.
You did say positive things about the experience too.
The most important part of the man dressing as a character was his interaction with the children and you mentioned that was positive.
Your main complaint seems to have been the attitude of the man when not in character, which is your prerogative to mention.