For your reading pleasure I thought I'd share the unbelievable exchange between my Mom and the owner of a restaurant where she had a bad experience. The place was recommended by a magazine so she wrote to the magazine to let them know what happened and copied it to the restaurant:

In your May 2010 issue you recommended [...]

I ordered the sauerbraten, he ordered the schnitzel. The schnitzel was just tasteless. The sauerbraten was inedible: tough, fatty, gravy tasted "off." In fact the red cabbage and souerkraut has the texture and taste of something that had been left on the steam table too long. The mashed potatoes were brown and tasted weird too. He ordered a side of German Potato Salad and it was tasteless too. The German beer was good. We ate about 2 hours ago and I'm not sick yet, hope I'm wrong and I'll be ok. I did leave most of the dinner behind. Even the salad was largely browned lettuce. I realize you recommended this place as a deli. I guess that was our mistake. We were seduced by the German foods they offered.............maybe if we'd just had a sandwich. The restarant writes back

Ms. Soundso:

referring to your e-mail of 5-18-10

If you have a legate complain, then say so. We refund your expenses and we wish not to do any business with you anymore!

In 43 years of being in the business for myself, never any insult has been hurled at me like this in any form. I take very great pride, I have an excellent reputation, dealing with 1000s of customers, suppliers and agencies. I am defending my reputation and my business, my employees, and all what matters. I know, who wrote this nasty pamphlet, because you gave yourself away: Again you spelled Kaiserhof wrong, with 2 "f". Last time your hidden name was Ann(a) Baker.

Now: I wish you would come forward in honesty, with your address and everything, so my legal team can solve this matter, and we can serve you some papers. Your insults and your derogatory, untrue remarks and belittleling demanor of our well known and respected establishment will not be taken easy nor anymore! Show your face, so I can tell you what I think about you! I am glad you like the "Kaiserhof" and the beer. They drink lots of it there everyday.

I am not revengeful, I am known for being generous, graceful, and honest. My army of friends and customers would testify this at anytime! Shame on you for being a person like you are.

Sincerely

[...]

Feel-better~ma for Sean and JZ. Depression sucks.

Hil, I'd be happy to read your introduction, if I'd be any use. I've done quite a bit of proofreading. I think you have my e-mail address from another time, but let me know if not.

It's warm and lovely here. This is going to be our two weeks of summer. I'm off to sing in church. (Had a dream last night that I was at some kind of audition that did not go well because my car wouldn't start and then I couldn't find a hymn I could sing. Ah, anxiety dreams.)

ETA: Laga, that's... there are no words.

Vortex, I don't want to make your phone ding at this hour, but I made it home about 20 minutes ago. It was pouring, and by pouring I mean "torrential downpours that caused me to not see the road and hydroplane more than once," which slowed me down. All is good though, and I am off to bed.

Laga: Seriously? Unbelievable. What did your mom do?

All is good though, and I am off to bed.

good, I was worried when the heavens opened up. I hope that Lacy got home before that! :)

I hope that Lacy got home before that! :)

Me too! Otherwise, she's probably still soaking wet.

I'm glad I went Georgia Ave. rather than the GW Parkway. Drainage on the parkway leaves a lot to be desired.

Shame on you for being a person like you are.

I keep reading this and trying to figure out why it's insulting to call somebody "a person."

Well, you know how people are.

I thought some people here might appreciate this comic: link

I think Lagas mother was confused with someone else who complained.