'Please leave me alone to look at menu! Overseas restaurant touts' blog discussion 27 June 2011 at 5:46PM in Martin's blogs & appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the news 37 replies 3.5K views

Former_MSE_Lee

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "Please leave me alone to look at the menu! Overseas restaurant touts counter-productive." Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

lordasb

sheffield meadow hall food area, walking about checking the menus on show, nearly every single one had someone standing outside "waiting" to "help" with the menu...

needless to say we voted with our feet to frank and benny's who didnt have someone outside but waiting inside to direct use to a table.

they had our business.:T and a very nice meal too

lilian1977

Its not just an overseas thing, it happens here in Manchester at the Curry Mile - lots of Indian restaurants wanting your business so generally they have a waiter outside to 'tempt' you in with the free popadoms/starters/coffee etc. I tend to look for the best bargain as all the menus are almost the same, barring a few that do lovely different things.

minerva_windsong

I have to say I was genuinely shocked at Westfield yesterday that no one accosted me from the restaurants when I stopped to look at the menus!

I do loathe being pounced on though. Beauty counters are the worst for it. However, as a flip side to that, they are also the worst for having staff who don't even acknowledge your presence...

2sides2everystory

You must have looked lost Martin (and therefore fair game!)

I appreciate you may wish to discover some gems of your own, but surely you of all people had a few tips for restaurants to try before you set out to find somewhere to eat?

We've been to Rome 4 or 5 times in recent years - we love it but we quite like seeking out somewhere sort of stylish or hidden to eat rather than risking it too often with the hoi polloi - and looking lost marks you out better than any union jack on your underpants :rotfl:

bylromarha

Rome - mmm, Rome. Romantic - Am I right in thinking it has recently been your 2 year wedding anniversary celebration? If so, congratulations to you and Mrs MSE.

I don't think it's a European thing, just a tourist area thing. Where there are tourists or lots of people wanting to eat, there is a man with a menu to thrust in your face. Had the touting in tourism areas all over the world, but not on the locals restaurants in the back street. Last time we were in Rome we found this amazing pizzeria. No tout outside, we sat to eat at 7pm and by 7.30pm there was a queue of locals waiting to eat.

Hate the touts and normally walk onto the next place if they're that annoying.

vikingaero

Martin should go for a stroll down Brick Lane.

You can be MSE about it and use it to haggle. If there's 2 of you ask for a couple of free beers. 4 of you ask for a free bottle of wine.

carrieuk

Egypt is awful for this.

They try to sell wherever you go; shopping, caleche, restaurants, tours... anywhere.

It gets tiring after the first three days and it starts to get on your nerves. I do understand why they do it though, when you look at the houses and what the children live in and that most of the children dont go to school and are sent to work from early on.

busiscoming2

I hate this happening abroad (not come across it here), we choose to go HB or AI now, it makes life so much easier.

shellsuit

"We've already eaten thanks, we're just on the look out for somewhere to eat tomorrow"

That's what I say when we're 'accosted' while trying to look at a menu to see what's on offer.

Mobeer

It's got to be better than going in a shop and being completely ignored when you need help, which seems to happen all too often in this country.