Ambushed in La Tasca!

samutiana

paddyrg wrote: »

Pop in to the Tasca branch and ask to speak to the franchise owner/branch manager. Tell them exactly what happened, and why you find it objectionable to be held to emotional ransom at your own table when dining.

The franchise owner/branch manager will be (if they have any sense whatsoever) absolutely livid that their staff let beggars (for begging it is, just lazy begging) harass customers, and remind their staff to not be so bloody stupid in the future. Then offer you a free meal to make up for the upset one, and to thank you for bringing it to their attention.

If they don't, they deserve to lose your business.

OP, this is excellent advice. This scam has been going on in very touristy areas of Europe for years, and in the past year I've seen it happen a couple of times in the UK in popular outdoor areas (think Covent Garden etc).

marywooyeah

2 questions: Firstly, what is a "duck duck"?. Secondly, what is a "looky looky man"?

Elsewhere

Years ago I was stopped in the street in Vancouver by one of these deaf beggars - she was very persistant and continued to pester me as I tied to walk away. Luckily I was with a friend who speaks sign language fluently - she signed to the woman to go away and had a very abusive reply - also in sign language!

So I reckon the deaf bit was genuine -

Moral of story - learn how to sign f*** off.

missile

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

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

..... It would embarrass people not to give cash...as he just stood there expectantly

It has happened to me and I was not embarassed to give him nothing. Nor do I give to buskers or anyone else who disturbs my right to quiet enjoyment. Nor do I leave a tip when the meal and/or service has been poor.

I am not so easily embarrassed.

catch_me_if_you_can

marywooyeah wrote: »

2 questions: Firstly, what is a "duck duck"?. Secondly, what is a "looky looky man"?

a looky looky man wanders around tourist resorts laden with
"bling", flashy, sparkly "toys", stupid hats and watches and tries to sell his wares while people are eating their meal or having a drink.

Very persistent and there's loads of 'em

One of the hazards of going to the Canaries, though I have seen them in mainland Europe too.

Some places will chase them away, others don't.

No idea about the duck duck though

tomwakefield

marywooyeah wrote: »

2 questions: Firstly, what is a "duck duck"?.

I think it probably means this: http://duckduckgo.com/

Alternative search engine.

Irn-Bru-Kid

After reading your experiences, I have decided to email La Tasca for an explanation. Its clearly a scam and I bought it.

I genuinely thought as the staff had allowed him access it was above board.

I will email them afternoon and let you know the response

Evilm

ukjoel wrote: »

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

I wouldn't do that - You don't know that the 'deaf' person wouldn't take it (assuming they are still around). I'd make sure I handed it to a member of staff.

eminemfan001

There was something similar going on in our local pubs not long ago. There was a woman who used to come up and demand you bought her stuff for "charity" but when asked would name the first one she could think of (it was a bit weird she collected for 3 charitys in one night lol)

She was kicked out of the first one after the staff were told she was there and we bumped into her being kicked out another one about an hour later!

ukjoel

Evilm wrote: »

I wouldn't do that - You don't know that the 'deaf' person wouldn't take it (assuming they are still around). I'd make sure I handed it to a member of staff.

Would serve them right if he did. That way they wouldnt be so keen to let him in their establishment again.

We were in a London eaterie at xmas and a drunk teen was trying to get his man bits out and we think have a wee on the window.

The maitre de was out there in a flash and headlocked him and dragged him down the road with his trousers and boxers round his ankles.

I suggested that may have been a scam too as he got a £20 tip off us as it was the funniest thing we had seen in ages.