Occasionally
we will have an experience in a pub that really disappoints us. As is atypical
for British people, it is the more disappointing experiences that lead to those
online reviews most places of business dread. But, as with the advice I gave to breweries in my last post, any criticism for a pub, bar, restaurant etc should
be looked into and taken with an air of solemnity in case it is an area that
can be seriously improved upon.
You
can’t please everybody, and some people are just serial moaners to the point that
you never will, but each complaint should still be investigated to be sure
there aren’t improvements to be made. That is the protocol I’d expect from my
favourite pub. When I heard that they’d recently received a 1 star review on
Trip Advisor with a complaint, I thought I’d have a nosey, though I suspected I
already knew which customer may have written it.
Lo
and behold the first “sentence” (or at least what I suspect was supposed to be
punctuated as one) confirms it was the person who I had heard complain at the
bar. Slightly amused I carried on reading as everybody is entitled to a little rant should they want one. And then my amusement stopped. Here is
this Homo Sapien’s review in full:
Not
that it even needs to be said but the “tramp” in question is 20 years of age.
They are also a gorgeous soul and impress me continuously with their unique
ability to be able to smile and be friendly with every single customer; an
ability that I certainly don’t possess hence why I could never work a bar. To
refer to them with any insult would be disgusting.
But
to use this terminology – this disgusting offensive terminology – because this
reviewer was unhappy with a beer is beyond reprehensible. It may be a word
but it changes the tone of this entire review.
What
is also worrying is the association they make with that group again. CAMRA may
constantly be battling this stereotype that they are just a tired, prejudice,
old men’s club, but such incidents do nothing to help. Say that it has nothing
to do with the society, but here is somebody clearly saying, “I’m from CAMRA
and know better – I won’t be told different from a woman.” The attitude is to
associate themselves with the campaign to try and justify their behaviour.
I
don’t want to hear the normal reaction of “You can’t say this one person speaks
for us all.” Not ALL CAMRA MEMBERS. I’m a CAMRA member so if I was openly
insulting every single member, I’d be insulting myself. Plus, arguing about
appropriation is tiring. As will be the inevitable comment that use of the word
was okay for Rodgers and Hart in 1937.
For
those about to make the other tired reaction, yes I have contacted my local
CAMRA branch to speak to them about this. I'm not expecting any sort of
statement but it would be wrong for me to write this without making them aware
that such a person is putting their name to us all. And also to make sure this person
isn't involved in any campaigning or event organising. I expect them to at
least answer me that by e-mail.
To
put the rest of the review into context, the beer the person was originally
unhappy with is an unfined pale from a fairly local brewery. There was a slight
haze due to this but not much. I know. I was drinking it at the same time.
The only problem with the beer (that is described in the review as "shocking") was this natural haze. On returning his beer he was politely informed that it was
unfined and there wasn't a problem.
There
is an issue with this because there are still plenty of drinkers that will not
accept the idea of unfined beer. That is a discussion for another time on how
to approach the subject with customers and how we educate. Plenty of drinkers still consider it an excuse and so the conversation needs to be had.
There
is zero excuse for throwing insults around because you personally don’t like
the idea.
I
will draw attention to this kind of bullshit as long as I am seeing it. I will
draw attention to it as long as people saying this bile feel they can hide
behind CAMRA. I will draw attention to it whilst the organisation supports and
publishes prominent members who have written about how they don't think such
attitudes are a problem. "But... but... there was a leaflet telling them
not to be arseholes..." "But... but... what about other sexist
atrocities around the globe...."
I hope the pub looks
at how it can discuss unfined beers with its customers more should they want
the conversation. I hope that the hard workers there can continue to do so
without being reviewed by misogynists. I hope for more positive posts and
positive reviews from everybody, including myself. I hope this reviewer enters
the pub again so he can be barred in person. If you're unhappy you can say so in any format you choose. This is completely different though and I hope we all recognise that.
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