So, here you are trying a new place to eat! To you, it's exciting! To you, it might even be new even though it was there for a while!
You were the one that kept introducing places to other people and some of them wanted to show you a place. Your enthusiasm grows.
You finally tried it and you thought it was fantastic! You enjoyed the flavors and you wanted to share this experience with other people.
You introduced it to some family! Your cousins liked it! Your brother liked it!
You introduced it to more friends and you heard complements!
After that, you decided to tell other people and those people were given a heads up that you want to show them this place.
One of them said they wouldn't like this place because they served particularly whatever it was known for and the other one was willing to try.
So, after some convincing or promotion from you, they finally agreed to try it! But, it turns out, their enthusiasm did not match yours! They didn't really like the restaurant you were excited about! The feelings of this, so called, exciting place were not on the same page!
What would be a great way to view this difference of opinion?
First Off, Don't Get Upset!
Remember, you convinced them to show up, but you can't convince someone to change their opinion of taste when it comes to particular dishes of a restaurant. That's their choice and right. It's good to have some perspective on this like you didn't personally cook or prepare the meals, so why get offended?
If you cooked the meals, then you can ask for kind feedback and improve the taste in the future so they might like it better, but in this circumstance, this might be the restaurant's responsibility or simply a matter of opinion of the guest and that is totally fine.
Remember, you should be grateful for them to actually show up after your convincing and try new things. Be grateful that they actually tried something outside their comfort zone.
Now, how to convince them to try a new place.
Build Up A Good Reputation
It usually helps to have some hits before taking some hesitant people to a place that may be different. Taking them to restaurants that serve familiar dishes like Italian food, burgers or even barbeque can easily help gain or build positive points to your recommendations. But, make sure the places you’ve been taking them to are actually good!
During this time, you can mention the unconventional place that you want to take them to and this gives them time to think about it.
Give them something safe they would like
To help increase the chances of them to try this different place, you can sweeten the agreement by bringing them to a safe spot like McDonald’s before taking them to this place or you can take them after if they don’t like it; especially, if it’s an unconventional dessert place.
Pay For It
If you finally got them into the restaurant, then perhaps paying for them can be justified. Be happy that they are taking this chance to try something new, but you don’t want to double upset them. You don't want them to not like the food, and then, also pay for it. Be courteous and treat them and that will increase their chances to try it.
Think of it as giving them a new experience. Your money is not wasted; especially, if they are willing to try. If there is food left over, then it was not a total loss. You can bring those home for leftovers.
It's always good to have options
If you take them to a place, it’s also good to see if there are more familiar options on the menu. For example, if they don’t like sushi check if the place has other meals they can eat like stir fry.
Like I said, by having a few hits first, by telling them about it ahead of time, by taking them to a place they are familiar with before or after, by treating them or by showing them other options in the restaurant, they still might not like your suggestion and may, in a kind manner, express it. No need to take offense. Be grateful that they took the chance and you couldn’t change their taste buds. If they like it, then that’s great! If they don’t, then at least you got some hits before they took a chance on this place and they might overlook it as they look forward to your next recommendation.
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