Important law cases for gastronomes: part 1

Guests do not have to put up with everything and can sometimes even save money in case of a faux pas. It is just important for gastronomes to know what the law states. Especially we Germans (CentralPlanner is a German product) are known to a tight law suite.

A free side dish

It is possible to find something unappetizing in your dish: a hair in the soup, a caterpillar in the salad or a fly in the side dish. Someone less sensitive may just ask for a discount and keep eating. In most cases, however, the guest will return the dish without paying. This is within their right as even courts have stated.

A red stain on a white blouse

Accidents happen. Even the best service staff member can drop the whine bottle off the dinner tray. Suddenly the white blouse of a guest has red stains. The gastronome pays for damage to clothes and has to pay for cleaning or even mending. Normally the gastronome's insurance will compensate for it.

Who is liable for the wardrobe?

“No liability taken for wardrobe”, is what is stated at the wardrobe of many restaurants. A gastronome cannot refuse to take responsibility for it, though. They are liable for the wardrobe if it cannot be seen by the guest. There is, however, one exception: If the wardrobe is within the guest's field of vision or they hang their jacket over the back of their chair.

How long does the guest have to wait for the check?

The food has long been finished but the guest is still waiting for their check. Leaving is only allowed after having waited for more than 30 minutes and having asked loud and clearly for it three times. Even if the check has not been given to the guest by then, they have to pay. In order not to bilk, the guest is obligated to leave address and phone number, so that the gastronome can reach them.

How long does the guest have to wait for his meal?

The same principle holds: A guest does not have to wait for more than 30 minutes. The guest is allowed to leave after having asked for the meal at least once. If the guest wants to stay, he can pay less. After a waiting period of 90 minute a discount of 30% is possible, as courts have stated.

Putting up a brave front

A guest does not have to put up with the waiter's bad mood and is even allowed to pay less. This may sound absurd but the serving by the waiter is part of the contract between guest and gastronome. Is the service is poor, the guest has a claim to supplementary performance and a reduction of the price. First a guest should complain about the bad manners of the service staff. If this complain does not lead to a change of the waiter's behavior, the guest is entitled to paying less for their meal.