Ambushed in La Tasca!

Irn-Bru-Kid

Had lunch at my local La Tasca today and whilst sitting having a drink afterwards, we were approached by a mysterious gentleman.

He placed what initially looked like coasters/beer mats on the table in front of my partner and I and he was urging us to read them. On closer inspection, they were in fact laminated cards and although I can't remember the exact wording, it went something like this:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

My name is xxxxx and I am deaf and mute.

I have never heard music playing, the birds sing nor my family laugh.

I present you with these sign language guides and ask that you pay as much as you like for them.

(there was also something about raising funds etc)

He had by this time placed a couple of flimsy cards in front of us with some stuff about sign language and a picture of two cats and a ball of string on the front. And he just stood there.

Of course, I am happy to help but unfortunately we did not have a penny of change. I asked my OH to go to the bar for some change. In the meantime, the guy just stood there. We got some change, game him a couple of quid and off he went.

He then proceeded to go to every occupied table, whilst people were enjoying lunch and did the exact same thing.

Now, I help when I can, but this really was a bit much. He had permission from the staff and an official looking card on a lanyard, so I think it was above board but I would not have been happy if we were having lunch and this was thrust upon us. A few diners were quite angry and rightly so.

In all my years of eating out (and I eat out a lot) I have never witnessed this. Has this happened to anyone else?

I really don't think La Tasca should allow this. It would embarrass people not to give cash...as he just stood there expectantly

McKneff

No not come across that one.

I would be sending a strong letter or telephoning the company, that really is not on.

ukjoel

I would have told him to sling his hook.

I would have got the staff to remove him ASAP

At best they would have got no tip as my meal experience is ruined.

At worst I would have just walked out leaving a fiver on the table for food I had eaten so far.

Otherwise you will find yourself surrounded by big issue sellers when having your pudding.

They are guessing that everyones too polite and will pay him a few quid to sod off.

visidigi

Seen it before, very common in resorts in the EU - the latest addition to this is they lay the cards over mobile phones on the table and when they lift the cards back up your phone disappears...

FATBALLZ

I remember someone doing something like that when I was with my dad when I was younger, might have been abroad, Ireland maybe? Was probably about 15 years ago. We didn't give him anything then either. You've no way of knowing if it's genuine (feigning being deaf and mute is pretty easy!), and I object on principle on having that forced on you, especially in an environment where you're sat and can't go anywhere and are trying to relax. You can tell by the wording that their trying to take advantage of saps as well.

Irn-Bru-Kid

visidigi wrote: »

Seen it before, very common in resorts in the EU - the latest addition to this is they lay the cards over mobile phones on the table and when they lift the cards back up your phone disappears...

The typos on the card that he presented made me think he wasn't English so that makes sense.

I just don't think that a company should allow this in their restaurants. It really was embarrassing, sitting there with this guy standing smiling at you waiting for money.

We laughed it off of course and it was only a couple of quid, but still, we did feel kind of 'ambushed'

Irn-Bru-Kid

FATBALLZ wrote: »

I remember someone doing something like that when I was with my dad when I was younger, might have been abroad, Ireland maybe? Was probably about 15 years ago. We didn't give him anything then either. You've no way of knowing if it's genuine (feigning being deaf and mute is pretty easy!), and I object on principle on having that forced on you, especially in an environment where you're sat and can't go anywhere and are trying to relax. You can tell by the wording that their trying to take advantage of saps as well.

That's what I thought, but the staff seemed to know him and he had the i.d card thing. Of course, the card could have been anything, but it looks like he had an arrangement with the place, so I was inclined to think that it was genuine

snozberry

Oh that is bang out of order and would make me think twice about eating there again.

grayme-m

I'd have been tempted to say to the staff that 'he's got your tip'.

real1314

If you didn't like it, why did you give him money?

That just encourages this sort of thing. No-one is left without income in the uk, those that live without accommodation do so mainly of their own (if misguided / misunderstood / misconceived) choice.

Did you complain to anyone at the time? Which La Tasca was it? :cool:

marywooyeah

this happened to me and one of my friends in costa a few years ago and we didn't give the guy any money but it was really awkward as he just stood there waiting but eventually picked the card back up and left. I give a total of £30 a month to various charities which is a lot for me as I don't earn much so can't afford to give anymore but I felt bad over it, I think they just do it so you feel bad and give them money.