So tonight in the restaurant I run. One of my all time hero's Chris Difford from Squeeze came in for a large sushi takeaway.
This is the second time I've seen him, (the first time I actually asked him if he was Chris Difford from Squeeze) he said yes. I was going to say something gushing about his music and my adolesence but I thought better of it. Anyway that time another customer came to the till I didn't even get to say thank you to Mr Difford.
So today he comes in. Orders his take away. As he orders a loud drunk Scottish woman comes to front and demands £50 off her bill. She is being unseasonably rude - chocolate cake smeared on her face. It is delicate situation she has let the whole restaurant know she should have a discount because she brought more than 10 customers with her blah blah. In the meantime Mr Difford has had his takeaway and left. I didn't get to say thank you again.
Immeadiately afterwards I had a sensation that this had happened several times before. And every time Mr Difford comes I feel inadequate. The rational half of my brain tells me this is just a sensation, but the irrational part is not so sure...
With the amount of drink you must have let the Scottish woman consume then I think she is entitled to a discount if she has brought a large party to dine at your eatablishment.
After all how often do we see restaurants adding a 10-15% service charge and then providing a crap service!
If there were 10 people its only £5 per person. Better a £5 discount to keep them sweet and see them all spending £30+ per head several times in the coming years.
Goodwill comes at a price!