A third keep mouths shut over poor food

BRITISH reserve is likely to stop more than a third of people from returning food in a restaurant even if it was substandard, a poll has found.

Whether it is out of nervousness or embarrassment, seven per cent of people said they would “never” send their food back, even if they had good reason to, and a further 27 per cent would “rarely” do so.

Only 16per cent of people would always make a fuss about a mistake with what they were served, though some problems are more likely to get a response than others, said the poll by Yougov Omnibus. It offered 1,600 adults 11 scenarios to see which would result in them sending food back in a restaurant, pub or other establishment.

More than nine in 10 (92per cent) people said they would send back the wrong meal, 90per cent if it was undercooked and 75per cent if it was too cold. But only 10per cent would complain if their portion was too small and 16per cent because they did not like it.

Ben Glanville, Yougov’s head of data services, said: “Many of us can relate to a time when we have complained to our dining companions about the standard of food, only to reassure the waiting staff that everything was fine.

“While the majority of Brits would be happy to raise an issue, there remains a sizeable minority who are uncomfortable with causing a scene.”