Hospitality is a scam

When you work in hospitality, you probably are an easy spender. It is just in your nature to not be cheap. Sure you do not pass up on a good deal, but if you “ain’t gonna spend it, why do you have it?“.
Therefor our character who thinks hospitality is too expensive, probably has no history in our industry whatsoever.
What tells do we have on this person:

• Deep breaths of air when looking at the menu

• Rolling their eyes

• Making jokes about how different prices are compared to a supermarket

If you have a customer referring to prices and claiming they are unreasonable, do not bother to explain. You will just spend precious time and you might as well talk your glassware. Management decides on numbers and that is that. Management has a reason for these prices and some variables influence the prices:

• Scarce products and thus more expensive

• Operating in a niche market

• More overhead costs

• Etcetera

The best way to approach said customer is to just do what you would normally do. They are not particularly rude, just annoying. You are just trying to make money and you do not need to hear someone complain about the prices. Compared to other industries, our menus can be found online and for good reason. So the guest who thinks you are scamming, can make a decision up front.

Personal note:

I get it, I have had difficult financial times as well. So I set priorities and make choices. In the past I would let prices influence my choices. That will not make you happy. If you are not in a position to go out and order what you think is nice and leave a tip, then please stay home.
Wanting everything for a price which is costing the bar or restaurant money, is not a business-model.
Negotiating pricing in hospitality gives me the creeps, would you really do that in a supermarket as well… Ask for free stuff?

Sincerely,

Den The Man