Chatterbox Cafe

Chatterbox Cafe

From Media Indonesia

On Thursday evening Oct. 10, my family and I went to dine at Chatterbox Cafe in Plaza Indonesia. The occasion we were looking forward to ended very unsatisfactorily because of the service.

The problem started with the glass of plain water served to the guests without regard as to whether they had already ordered drinks. I thought the water was free of charge, but it was mentioned in the bill (Rp 250).

I tried to explain to the waiter that such a method was not right. Guests are not advised there will be a charge on the water not ordered. The waiter replied in a loud voice that never before had any guest complained.

Actually, the matter ended when the cafe agreed to delete the charge. When we were about to leave the place, one of the waiters shouted for other diners to hear, "Do not come too often here. Next time, better eat at a warteg (a roadside tent serving cheap food)."

Such unpleasant and uncourteous service! I would like to once again appeal to the cafe's management to pay more attention to the quality of waiters hired, and to immediately stop the less laudable practice of additional charges on items not ordered.

To my knowledge, neither high-class restaurants serving plain water nor warteg serving hot tea ever charge for the drink.

SOELAIMAN NILAM

Jakarta