How should Christians handle gripes?
We decided to treat ourselves and good friends of ours to pizza today.
We went to our favorite pizza place and were excited to get some fellowship time.
Without going into all the details, let’s just say it ended badly. We were not being loud or rude, there was simply a misunderstanding about a special. When we had just started eating our pizza, the owner came out to our table and was extremely rude and passive aggressive and began clearing our table very quickly as we were still sitting there, including our drinks, which we were not done with. When I pulled him aside to speak to him calmly (you know, so my husband wouldn’t strangle him) he refused to look at me and kept trying to push past me. It was horrible!
We left with such a sad feeling, because this was our favorite restaurant. Whenever we have a date night, that’s where we go. Whenever we are celebrating a birthday, that’s where we go. The pizza is awesome, and so are the other entrees. BUT THE OWNER WAS SO BILIGERANT!
We left quietly without making any more fuss, that is AFTER we paid and we tipped our waitress directly and generously, cuz she ROCKED and she felt so badly about the owner’s behavior. But it has stuck with us. How could we have handled things differently? Was I too direct? I don’t think so, and I definitely wasn’t rude. In fact, my 16 year old commented that he was shocked at how angry the owner was, and that he thinks he felt threatened because he wouldn’t give me eye contact. “At least show the person respect.” Gabe said. 
So how should Christians handle gripes like this? He was the owner, not the manager, so I can’t write a letter to the owner. Hubby wants to call and give him a chance to apologize before we do anything else. I think that’s a good plan, although I don’t think he will apologize. Do we complain to the BBB? Do we write to the franchise owner? Or do we just forgive and forget?
I am one of those people who has no trouble sending food back if it is done incorrectly, especially since I have some allergies that I need to watch out for. I am always very pleasant and thank them for their service, but I have no trouble asking for quality when I spend my money. I feel like this is similar. We were paying customers who spend a lot of money throughout the year at that restraunt, and I feel that respect is at least deserved.
I’m having trouble thinking of places where scripture talks about this kind of situation. I know what scripture says about handling gripes between Christians, but this is different.
Wisdom?
Blessings!
Hannah
