CUE CARD – Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant/shop.

February 22, 2024 Ayushi Rawat

Speaking -Part 2 (Cue Card)

You should say:

When and where it happened
What happened
How it was solved
And Explain how you felt about the experience

Sample Answer

Several months ago, I opted to dine at a recently inaugurated restaurant in the city center, garnering considerable attention. Nestled in a charming nook, its external appearance promised a delightful experience, yet the reality was starkly dissimilar. Upon entry, I observed that, despite the restaurant being only partially occupied, no staff member approached us for seating. After what seemed like an extended interval, approximately ten minutes, we succeeded in capturing the attention of a waiter more absorbed in his mobile phone than in tending to patrons. Once situated, an additional fifteen minutes lapsed before our order was taken. Throughout the meal, the service proved lackluster; water glasses remained unattended, and our appeal for condiments went unanswered.

Realizing that the management might be oblivious to these deficiencies, I chose to converse with the manager. After attentively receiving my feedback, the manager extended sincere apologies, elucidating that some staff members were still in the training phase. As a goodwill gesture, he presented us with a complimentary dessert and pledged an enhancement in service moving forward.

Although the manager’s resolution was acceptable, the overall encounter left an unfavorable impression. Dining out encompasses more than just the culinary dimension; it encapsulates the entire experience, which, in this instance, was overshadowed by substandard service. While I acknowledge the manager’s endeavor to rectify the situation, it underscores the significance for well-established establishments to ensure their staff undergoes comprehensive training before customer interaction. The evening underscored the pivotal role of attentive service in the hospitality sector. The discontent faced serves as a prompt for businesses in the service industry to prioritize exhaustive training to ensure customers receive the anticipated level of service and holistic contentment.

Speaking -Part 3 (Follow up questions)

Here are some examples of follow up questions that examiner may ask during your speaking (part 3)related to cue card ‘DESCRIBE A BAD SERVICE YOU RECEIVED IN A RESTAURANT/SHOP.’

Q1.What is the typical reaction of individuals to poor services?

The response of individuals to inadequate services varies widely. A significant portion tends to openly communicate their dissatisfaction, addressing the problem directly. On the other hand, some individuals, opting to avoid direct confrontation, may choose to share their negative experiences either with friends or through online reviews.

Q2.What characterizes services as being of poor quality?
Services are deemed subpar when they exhibit traits such as inefficiency, unresponsiveness, and a deficiency in professionalism. In other words, bad services occur when service providers fall short of meeting the expectations established by their roles or the commitments made by their business.

Q3.In your opinion, do you believe that services have improved compared to the past?

Certainly, advancements in technology and increased competition have undeniably elevated the quality of services across various sectors in the present day. Earlier, service providers such as restaurants and hotels were limited which ensured top-tier services; however, today there are numerous such services giving no room for mistakes and also the services are standardized.

Word	Meaning	Example
Lackluster	lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring	The team’s performance was lackluster, and they lost the game.
Oblivious	not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one.	The child was oblivious to the danger around her.