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Oct 8, 2025 26 min

How (not) to complain

from The Food Chain Hosted by BBC World Service

How confident would you feel about complaining if a restaurant meal was not up to scratch? Restaurateurs in the UK, South Africa and the United States compare stories of the most outrageous complaints they’ve received, and how they were dealt with. They tell Ruth Alexander how increasing numbers of customers are "weaponising" the threat of negative online reviews. And if you’re someone who struggles to complain when things go wrong, there’s advice on how to make your voice heard calmly and assertively. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] Produced by Lexy O'Connor Image: A young woman is arguing with a waiter in a cafe. She has a pastry on her plate and is holding a cup of coffee. Credit: Getty/Wavebreak Media

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How (not) to complain

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This episode was published on October 8, 2025.

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