It depends on what you aren’t happy with and who is at fault.

- If you are unhappy with something that is free- like bread… just don’t eat it.

- If you are unhappy because your food contains something that was clearly stated in the menu but you opted to just skim over that part and you choose to complain and have your food replaced – tip extra for being a douche. If you have to send it back because of an allergy and the item was mentioned on the menu then you should be shot. If the item wasn’t mentioned then it is not the fault of the server but instead the lazy and inconsiderate management staff and chef who prepared the menu descriptions, without considering your life.

- If the food is improperly prepared or seasoned and it is the fault of the kitchen then send it back as soon as you notice. Servers do not mind returning your food and chewing the kitchen out. Do not wait until you have eaten more than half of the meal and then suddenly refuse to eat it. There is no excuse for this and if you wait until you have eaten every last morsel then you shouldn’t be compensated, instead you should be cooter punched.

- Do not send something back that is properly seasoned and was properly described on the menu, i.e. sending back buffalo wings for being too spicy.

Live and learn. Menu descriptions are there for a reason – read them. If you have additional questions or allergies ask your server. No one is going to lie – they don’t want to hear you bitch about it when you get the food. Also, servers know what foods get sent back more often, therefore they can tell you what the general public opinion of any menu item is.

Be warned though… no server likes to hear “so…what’s good” – only to be completely disregarded. Instead try something like “Do most people like…?” If you can’t decide between two items – ask your server. Keep in mind, you and your server might have different tastes so just ask them which one is more popular.