Would you return the food you order if it taste nasty or pretend you like it?
By neelianoscet
@neelianoscet (9615)
Philippines
July 7, 2009 5:42am CST
I order a food in a restaurant mall and decides to eat it with my sister. My sister eat the food which are composed of sauteed beef, chopsuey, rice bowl, and a pair of siomai or what is known in other cultures as dumpling. My sister eat her food without even smelling the food. Since, it has a good texture and look tasteful. But, in my case I have the habit of smelling every food that enter my mouth before I eat it. It so happen that the siomai smells and taste bad. I cannot swallow it and I spit it. I do not like to insult the cook but I cannot control my actions. Then, the people who are sitting in front of my table notice me. I do not like to appear choosy but the taste is really nasty, my home cook food is better than the restaurant food. I really got a delicate taste. I look after the quality of the food and the restaurant name or popularity do not matter to me. I eat in a classy or small scale restaurant, as long as the flavor of food is excellent. If you were in the same situation like me? Would you return the food and ask for a refund?
6 people like this
26 responses
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Yes, I would return it if it was nasty. You are not getting that food for free so why should you have to pay for something that is bad or tastes just plain awful? I would maybe see if they had something else on the menu that might be good. If not, then yes I would ask for a refund.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I really like to return it but my sister already eat her dumpling. It is very small and she eat her right away. She really feel hungry during those times and its already too late to warn her. It makes me hesitant to file a complain. The next time we go out to eat in a restaurant. we become more choosy and careful with the food that we eat.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I don't go out to eat very often & when i do i want something that is good & well prepared. i sure would have told them it wasn't edible & would have expected not to be charged for it. U could get very sick from eating something that was not good tasting or smelled odd.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
9 Jul 09
My grandmother cooked in restaurants & I HAVE HEARD HER SAY MANY TIMES that if u could see the kitchens in a restaurant that noone would ever eat out. U could hardly get her to go out & eat.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
9 Jul 09
That is really true and home cooking is really the best. You could easily say it is clean and the member of the family cook it with tender loving care. I could not really rely eating all of my life on a restaurant. I am starting to learn to cook all by myself and read recipes which I could easily follow.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
9 Jul 09
I do go out to eat in a fancy restaurant or fast food when I get bored to eat at home. I like to try to taste new food that is delicious and not common. But, in a familiar restaurant that is certified by sanitary inspectors as serving only quality and fresh food. My encounter i think is not an isolated incident. Their are cases in which even well known and famous fast food and restaurant get sued. The news is even reported in television and leading newspapers. Some says it is fabricated and the person suing is from a competitors. I am now aware and do not eat from unknown restaurant, you never know what is taking place at the kitchen.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
11 Jul 09
Hmmm... well, I would try to make sure if it was just me or if the food was really bad. Sometimes things are just cooked differently from what we are used to and it doesn't mean that they are bad - as in bad food, not just "i don't like it" food.
If the food was bad I would certainly call the attention of the waiter/waitress and explain the situation. They might offer a replacement or a refund. If I got a replacement and it didn't taste good either, then I would just not pay for it. Actually I don't think that they would expect me to pay.
But if I didn't eat it just because I thought I would like it and didn't then, it really isn't their fault and I would just leave it in the plate.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
13 Jul 09
I think I am not the only one who could find that their is really something wrong with the dumpling. As I leave the place I observe that many plates that their clients left a few dumpling in their plates. I could assure that they do not like the taste too or they also discover it has a bad smell. They also hesitant to make complain as the dumpling cost is cheap and would not bother to make a reaction. Some of the food taste just right it is only in the dumpling that it taste different. I a really a choosy when it comes to eating food. If i am not familiar with food and I think the way the food is cook is questionable. I never buy it and prefer to make it safe cook my own food.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
13 Jul 09
Hi arkaf61! it is really a must to remain choosy and delicate on choice of food to avoid being a victim of food poisoning. Have a nice day 2 you. tnx..
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Very definitely, i would have returned the food. It could have been bad. If the restaurant does not have a lot of customers, they often times will serve left overs, and of course, they are not going to tell you. Food poisoning is not a good thing to have, so yes, i would have returned it, and not eaten it. I would more than likely have asked for something else.
1 person likes this
@ShirleyBillingsley (1544)
• United States
8 Jul 09
With a nice restaurant, you should simply have gotten the waiter and told them quietly that you would like something else instead. And if asked why, simply tell him, the quality is below their normal standards. If presed further, then simply tell him that something is wrong with what you ordered, and would like to change. Any restaurant should be more than happy to oblidge you with an exchange for something else, even a fancy restaurant.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
i will do it he next time I encounter the same things. But, with happen to us. I could not return it as I already swallow it out. I do not like to insult the cook but if it is really expensive. I will file a complain and if something bad happen to our stomach will see in court.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
The kind of restaurant where I dine look decent. I could not even believe that they will serve terrible food. I may be patience to eat food that is not delicious but really could not take the spoiled smell. It is really disgusting and embarrassing especially if you have companion. I do not yell or make a complain as the other food I order taste just right. It is really the strategy of restaurant to offer menu that is cheap to attract costumers. But, they should not sacrifices the quality but stick to it and maybe they can reduce the serving bu not the quality.
@cwachid (160)
• Indonesia
7 Jul 09
It is happen with me when me and my family order pizza. It tasted very bad that I guess on cheese problem. At that time, I have discuss to restaurant manager about our problem. He is immediate take our pizza and apologize. They ask us to wait and make to other pizza. Not only that, they give us a voucher 50% discount if we are visiting their restaurant next time. It is already spoil our mood on that restaurant. I just give voucher to my friend.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
It is a really disappointing, especially if you were in a company of friends and family. Instead of enjoying your meal right away, you are in front of the manager complaining about their food. It really waste your time and of course the moment of joy of savoring your food in an instant is loss. It is really too late for them to make an apologize. as you mention it already spoiled your moods and with your companion. It is really embarrassing for you to invite them in a restaurant and they have to wait before they can eat after you finish and settle your disputes with the Manager.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
It is a good things to list names of restaurant to serve as your guide in choosing the best menu of food. The taste do really matter and the services is just additional to make us feel relax. But, the over all goals of us in eating in a restaurant is to make us enjoy the different cuisines and a way to reward ourselves after a weekend work. Aside from it takes almost a 30 minutes of waiting.t really drives us impatient if after the waiting we are not satisfy with the food. It is okay to wait as long as the food is delicious and unforgettable.
@cwachid (160)
• Indonesia
8 Jul 09
After tried on many restaurant with different food order, I created my own list on many restaurant location about their performance. Even It is far from my home, we will going there as our reference if we invited other people. My category are very simple that I have pointed on food taste and cheap price (not on service). If I put on service, It will difficult to adjust. Most of cheap and good restaurant are very crowded in my country. I have tolerant on that...
1 person likes this
@silvia861103 (8)
• China
11 Jul 09
Hi,I am very sorry to hear that ,it is very terrible ,I have the same experience with you,when i get the bad food ,i will ask for replace or i will give up the food ,but I will mever come to the same restaurant any more .
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
13 Jul 09
It is really annoying when you are in hurry to eat and you find the food is not tasteful but have a very disappointing taste. It also comes to my mind to ask for replacement if my sister have not yet eaten her dumpling. But, I am hesitant if she only smell it first, I may ask for replacement. In a different scenario where my order is a bit expensive. i will ask for a refund or replacement. Next time I will be a little wiser and would not fall as a victim of gross food.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I will only return it if all the food item I order is spoiled. I definitely make a complain if it is really expensive. Some restaurants have a small form where customer can make a complain or criticize their food. I usually write some remarks on it. Some are praises for the food, nice staff and good look of the restaurant.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I will return all food i order if they all smell like rotten food and taste terrible. But, it is only one item that seem spoiled. I just leave it on my plate with the other part not eaten. I do not like to make a complain if the food is costly low but if it is very expensive. I will make a complain and ask for a refund. i have no patient in waiting to replace my food. Therefore, i will transfer to another restaurant.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
hmm yes probably i would especially if i found out it is already stale.. i have the right to..customer's satisfaction right? so i believe we can do that, its either they would replace the food or give you another choice of food and some restaurants would not even charge you for it! lol. we had that experience in a famous fast food chain here in the Philippines, where the chicken we ordered was uncooked and has a little blood inside...we had it replaced for a better one and they even gave a burger and ice cream, free of charge!
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I really like to return it but my sister already eat her dumpling. I just eat the other food we order that still taste right. I also experience the same things and it is really annoying to know that food you eat is raw. It will really suck out your patience. But, in my case I do not make complain. I just left the dumpling in my plate untouch.
@my_name_is_coco (4333)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I will return it.getting sick from a nasty food is not worth the hospital expenses.also,this will alert the restaurant staff.they might not even know that the food they're serving is already stale or spoiled.I am entitles to get my money's worth.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
The other food I order taste right not really delicious but it is still acceptable. the only food that is really disappoint me is the dumpling. It really smell and taste terrible. It is right to make complain, especially if the food is expensive.
@airakumar (1553)
• India
8 Jul 09
Yes, definitely, I will return it but not pretend I like it. Why should I pretend when I am paying money for it. It's their responsibility to serve well and tasty food. Same happened with me too. I just complain to the food manager and they exchanged it immediately apologizing for it. I paid the money with tips too.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
In my case I choose not to pretend. I really could not control my mouth that I spit it. I do not like to insult the cook and hurt the crew. But, it is what I feel. I could not take it or at least swallow. After I spit it. I can still smell and taste it traps in between my teeth. I drink glass of water but the smell is not remove. The filling smells like rotten meat. They should take the food out of display. It really sucks my taste buds. I could not return the item as my sister already eat her dumpling. She do not notice the smell as she is really feel hungry during those times. It is only later on that she become aware of the taste.
@tdlfl2009 (24)
• United States
7 Jul 09
In a case like yours, if I were at a Food Court restaurant in a mall, I would just discard the food if I didn't want to consume it. However, if there was something in the food that was not supposed to be there(hair, etc.) I would definitely take it back! Being how your case was simply because you didn't like the smell of it, and your sister was able to eat it, I would just throw mine away and not complain to the restaurant. But, if this were a nice restaurant where they charge high dollar for their dishes, I would certainly ask them to take the food back and order a different dish- and check to make sure they took the bad meal off my bill!
Hope that helps!
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
In my case I left it on my plate with the part with spit. I could not throw it away. The other clients may notice and it would drive them to be more curious why I throw it. I do not like to insult the cook or the restaurant owner. But, it is really what I feel and cannot control the urge to swallow out the food. It is the last food item that I eat. I already taste the other food I order and nothing to complain. They taste right but not really delicious. I really like to make complain but I hold myself as the food item do not cost much. From now on I a more choosy on the food and the type of restaurant.
@tchalla (19)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I would POLITELY return it. There is no reason to pay for something you don't like and the waiters and cooks want you to enjoy the food. But do it NICELY! If you offend the people preparing your food you never know what they might do to it. They have feelings too and can take out anger on your food.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I do not return it as my sister already eat her dumpling. It is too late for me to warn her as she already eat her food. Then, i let her smell the dumpling which I refuse to eat. She smell it and the conclusion it may be spoiled already. I left it on my plate and eat the other food I order. The next time we visit a mall to eat. I avoid the restaurant and look for other else.
@choclategirl (28)
• Bahrain
7 Jul 09
if they give me the wrong order i would return it but if not i am going to order something else.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
My order is correct but the one of the item I order taste terrible. I a fan of good food with luxurious servings and smell with a delightful aroma. But, in the restaurant i went with my sister. The dumpling taste and smell bad. It is one of my favorite food and have eaten a different variety. They all taste good and packs nicely in other restaurant.
@imsilver (1665)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
If in a resturant I'd definatly send it back and order something else. No point in paying for and eating a meal that you aren't going to enjoy.
But, and I've taught my kids as well, if I'm at someones house for dinner. I'll finish what I'm served unless I absolutely can't.
In a restaurant though, if your paying for a meal - you definatly have the right to send it back if you find it unpleasing.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
If I order the food by delivery and I am not satisfy I return it back. But if the scenario is inside the restaurant, I request for the food to be change or else ask for a refund if I have not already eat the other food I order. If in case I could not wait for a replacement. I just go out and find another nearby restaurant. The advices you tell to your children is somehow similar to my mother advices. I also put the same view in case the situation revert. I may too feel hurt if the food I serve is criticize.
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
7 Jul 09
For my hard earned cash Id want quality.
It is not my desire to embarass anyone but the simple fact that you have opened a place for the public to come and spend their money with you indicates that there must be some quality to your service or product.
I wold return it if its not palatable.
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
In my case I would only complain if it cost much. But, it is only one item of the food i order which i do not like. The other food i order taste right. My sister already eat her dumpling as she really feel hungry during those times. before i eat my food it is always my practice to smell it before it land on my mouth. I really get to use to it and have a very strong smell. It is my one way of protecting myself in digesting food that is dangerous and unhealthful. I really like to be healthy and one way of doing it is to make sure that the food is new, fresh, and cook well.
@vishakvishwajit (45)
• India
7 Jul 09
Best is to do like Mr.Bean (lol).Distribute the food in flower vase under the table etc ... Have you seen that comedy?
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
The scene is very funny indeed. I am an avid fans of Mr. Beans. But, I do not like to make myself foolish by imitating him. I would rather left the food untouched and the waiter may notice it. It is one way of making them notice that a leftover food is a sign of unsatisfied customer. They should put more effort in serving only food that is freshly cook and not recycled. If it cost me too much, I will make a complain to the restaurant owner. But, it is the only food that caught my attention. It smell terrible and the taste is very disgusting.
@mkrishna22 (465)
• India
7 Jul 09
oh yes, if the food that is served to you is not good, you have every right to go ahead and return it. afterall, we are paying for the food and not doing any favour. as the others said, sometimes the food does not come out good and you can return it. if you are not sure that he will do any better, it is best to not ask for any replacement dish and move out of the restaurant.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
Especially if the food is not yet eaten by me or least I taste it only slightly. But, the hindrance is my sister. She already eat her dumpling and hardly notice it smell. She is already hungry during those times. I am opposite with her and the food before it land my mouth I smell it first. I really like to savor the food but I lose my appetite. It really smell and taste bad. You could not imagine my face look during those times, I really feel sick. The food look nice but very disappointing. I do not know if their costumer notice the same things. If they are costumer who have the strength to make complain it will give justice to my feeling. In my case, i am shy to make complain, because the dumpling doesn't cost much and besides I already eat the other food I order and I have nothing against the other food they serve.
@checkmail (2039)
• India
7 Jul 09
hello neelianoscet and mylot friends this is checkmail and won't ever have such meal even it I have to.I eat food according to its nature, taste, and quality.Even If I get unwanted items in my order I use to skip it and eat what I have ordered.There is nothing in eating useless, tasteless things unless it is good for health.It means some food are good for the growth of health that doesn't taste good enough, but we have to in order to maintain our health.But preferably I just change my order whether anyone gets irritated, just in case of getting wrong ordered food.As mostly i have simple food in my diet except on sundays and holidays.I always use polite way for ordering food and never eat anyting which i don't like.
So have GoodLuck with the food options.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
Their are also different cases, where I encounter eating in a food court corner in a mall. The food look attractive and it seem to taste good. It is a self service and when I start to eat it. I eat first the barbecue and out of a sudden it taste nothing. It is white on the inside and it turn out that the food I eat is intended for vegetarians. I do not read the title of the restaurant name and I order fast. My eyes is really deceive by the nice arranging of food. The food look like a real meat. I eat it anyway. It taste bland but it is nutritious and healthful.
@Sitruc313 (32)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
personally I would not eat food that either smelt bad or tastes bad. However, I am one of those people who hate to complain and draw attention to myself esspecialy as I know that alot of the people who work there don't necessarily have any say over the food that they serve. So, to answer your question I would'nt complain about the food I just probably would put it to the side and eat the things that looked, smelled, and taste good. But, I do know people who do complain about things like that and usually it does nothing except make the people working there feel bad even though they have no actual say over what they make or serve.
1 person likes this
@neelianoscet (9615)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
I am somehow similar to you. I do not like to make complain but if is really an expensive food and it cost too much. I will make a complain and sued the owner. But, i am more concern with the image of the restaurant and the fate of the cook. I do not like to hurt their feelings and worse being kick off of his job. Others customers may do it for me if they encounter the same experience as I met. I will take it as charge to my experience and will be careful the next time i plan to eat out.
