Pulled out hair and now can't pay for food... Owner says, "It's not just once or twice," feeling frustrated

원본보기 아이콘

A story has been revealed about a restaurant in Jeju struggling due to a malicious complaint from a customer.

On the 2nd, Jeju-based private broadcaster 'JIBS' reported an incident where a customer visiting a restaurant in Jeju caused a disturbance, claiming that there was a hair in the food. According to the report, a woman identified as Ms. A, who visited the restaurant alone during lunchtime, kept touching her own hair while eating. Shortly after, she called a staff member over and claimed, "There is a hair in the food," and insisted, "I will not pay for the meal."

Unsure of the truth, the owner quickly apologized. However, another employee stated, "This is not true," and added, "The customer pulled out her own hair and deliberately put it into the food." When the restaurant said they would call the police, Ms. A paid the bill and quickly left the restaurant. The owner almost lost the payment by trusting only the customer's words, but fortunately, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured the customer putting her own hair into the food, preventing further damage. According to the restaurant, this was not the first time Ms. A caused such trouble there. She had reportedly visited multiple times before, using the same method to cause disturbances.

Meanwhile, as small business owners face increasing difficulties due to the economic downturn, malicious complaints from customers add to their burden. From the owner's perspective, it is difficult to respond strongly to customers, and it is not easy to insist solely on innocence. One restaurant owner stated, "I have often encountered cases where customers at tourist area restaurants demand refunds claiming there was hair in their food."

Netizens who heard the story responded with comments such as, "I hope people live with a conscience," "What crime have small business owners who suffer from such people committed?" and "They should not be allowed to escape and must be punished by law."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.