CNN v Fox News

Curious - Had a first time customer into the restaurant last night that started his visit by saying, " I am extremly offended that you have Fox News on your TV and I will probably never come back." So I have two questions;
Do customers really choose a restaurant based upon what channel is on the TV?
How do you respond to a guy like that?

Michael B Smith
Burning Bush Grille

[Robin Garr]

Curious - Had a first time customer into the restaurant last night that started his visit by saying, " I am extremly offended that you have Fox News on your TV and I will probably never come back." So I have two questions;
Do customers really choose a restaurant based upon what channel is on the TV?
How do you respond to a guy like that?

In this age, Michael, I think people do tend to take note if political programming is being played in a public place. Because Fox is so polarizing, personally I'd be inclined not to play it in my restaurant, if I owned a restaurant. Even if I was a conservative, good business is about not irritating half of your clientele.

On the other hand, it seems to me that a reasonable patron, if he cared that much, might just ask if you'd mind changing the channel. The guy sounds like he was a little bit of a tool.

I hate Fox news but wouldn't care if it was showing in a restaurant. One customer you are better off without.

Well we did have the whole conversation on here about people not eating at Chik fil A or shopping at Hobby Lobby because of what their sign said/music they were playing. This really isn't that different.

Besides that fact that many people, okay, especially the guys, like to watch sports at the bar, sports are basically, non-controversial. It's not President Obama or Glen Beck. The worst "offense" of sports on the bar TV's is that you don't like the particular teams or sport playing (think World Cup). With that said, that customer needs to get a life.

Being something of a liberal, if I were going out for a quick lunch or dinner I could care less, but if I were going out for a leisurely experience of eating and relaxing I would not go somewhere where I'd have to view Fox News; it just plain does not leave me relaxed! Just a personal opinion. I'd recommend switching to CNN (middle of road news) or ESPN.

i about choked on my orange juice reading this.
are you kidding me? i would have said great, there's the door and don't let it hit you on the way out.
to judge a restaurant based on whats on tv, is beyond asinine.
every time i'm in a place. sports is always on, yes i watch sports at times, myself i rather be watching the news.
do i get insulted, no... one can always ask to change the channel.
must be something in the air the. geeze...

Glad to know I'm not the only one....LORDY

Was the volume on? I'm wouldn't really care, but listenting to Sean Hannity while trying to eat wouldn't inspire my appetite.

Yeah the sports thing bothers me much more. Not because I dislike sports (I do) but because
of the all too common overly enthusiastic patron. One time we went to Cafe LouLou at a relatively slow time but there were two guys at the bar making enough noise over the game to fill the whole restaurant. I stay away from sports bars as a general rule but if I do go there at least I know what to expect.

Just get rid of the TVs and you don't have to worry about which channel to show, volume, etc.

If someone asks, "Why no TVs?" just tell them that the food is going to be so good, you'd hate for them to be distracted from it.

I wouldn't stop eating at a place that shows Fox News. To me, a little Fox News works well as comic relief. It's the journalistic equivalent of watching a dozen clowns get out of a tiny car.

There is no problem. You've run into a person that'll never be satisfied 100% in their lifetime. Anything you do or say will not ease set their mind at ease of being happy.

End of story.

Curious - Had a first time customer into the restaurant last night that started his visit by saying, " I am extremly offended that you have Fox News on your TV and I will probably never come back." So I have two questions;
Do customers really choose a restaurant based upon what channel is on the TV?
How do you respond to a guy like that?

Michael B Smith
Burning Bush Grille

Evidently, there's at least ONE customer who does....but I suspect the majority don't.
Personally, I watch FoxNews...I watch CNN...I watch MSNBC, etc, and typically I don't pay much attention to what's on TV when dining out, unless there's a breaking news story, etc...

I suppose the "best" response would depend on the circumstances -- e.g., if a certain channel is on because it's what the MAJORITY of patrons requested, that's what I would tell your objecting guest...otherwise, ask what he/she would like to watch instead of FoxNews.

A certain local chain plays Christian music on Sundays at the behest of the owner. I am not a fan of 'Jesus music,' so I simply don't go there on Sundays. Agree to disagree.

I wouldn't stop eating at a place that shows Fox News. To me, a little Fox News works well as comic relief. It's the journalistic equivalent of watching a dozen clowns get out of a tiny car.

I watch FoxNews on a regular basis (along w/other news channels) in order to get a blend of perspectives...but I can take only so much of Hannity and Beck -- they just border on propaganda (IMO). However, my wife might apply your "clown car" analogy to Rachel Maddow ....