Originally Posted by
Mr H
Perhaps it's my European perspective but I don't get the idea of talking to a manager if the service is terrible. I view the relationship as between employer and employee - not my business to intervene either by paying wages (through tips) or through reporting to management. If I get poor service I just don't go back.
You do not have to talk with a manager if you do not feel like it. I only talk to a manager if the food/service is atrocious. However, there are benefits for the business if you choose this option. The manager gets to know if a server is doing their job poorly. Obviously a server that has many complaints over a short period of time will either have their hours cut, tables in their section reduced or just fired. Also their is a possibility that a portion or the entirety of your bill may be refunded, or a coupon for a free meal could be given for a future visit, to entice you to come back.
By all means please do not feel like it is necessary or needed to get a manager. Usually if I go to a place for the first time and the food/service is poor we don't go back (unless they just opened) then I assume they are working out the kinks.
I usually save talks with managers for places that I do like to go to semi-often and I would like to stay a customer but wouldn't if things do not improve.