Why I don't give free prawn crackers

One thing that really does irritate me is when people ask for free prawn crackers, and then get offended when we say "no, sorry, we can't afford to give out free prawn crackers". I understand this is normal protocol for many Chinese takeaways, but not at mine, and here are the two reasons why.

The first is simple, I just can't fucking afford to give away prawn cracker, with everyone wanting them, even if I said orders over £20, it would average out to 25 a day (in a non-covid year) that's 0.60p a portion, and that would leave me out of pocket £15 for the day if I added that up the year that's £5,220 I've just given away to people, how is that fair to me? Not only that but if only half of those people bought some prawn crackers because they weren't free I'd of profited £7,900 (before VAT and profit tax). So I lose a fuck load, wonder why your local has gone downhill? its because people expect things for cheap or for free in a world where ingredients are getting more and more expensive. I get the "look after your customers" but let me do that on my terms, for example, if someone orders often or has a huge order we will super size one of there items, like chips or prawn crackers, this way we haven't missed out in the revenue, and their getting more than they paid for, the extra food I've given has cost me less then a full portion so it's a win-win. However, if someone demands extra I will not give it, which brings me nicely to my second point.

The second reason is that you wouldn't walk into a kebab house and ask for free garlic bread, or KFC and see if you can get a free portion of fries and in both instances, the cost price of there products much is cheaper then ours, even fucking popadoms in an Indian aren't free, so why do people almost demand them when ordering Chinese food, and here's why, I remember as a kid being told we give them free to keep people happy, to show people that we're grateful for there custom (which made perfect sense) until I grew up and released, it wasn't a thank you, it was a bribe if we don't give them free prawn crackers they won't order again (because people are that petty) or they will bad mouth our takeaway, which is still very much present, like the MSG myth, it won't go away, it's almost like the Britsh people are saying "be grateful that we Brits are using you so give us something for it", especially when you're offended that we won't give you something for free, uuuuuummm FUCK... OFF...

Especially now when things are so tight, I've stayed open when it would have paid to close, and I stay open to keep my staff in jobs and do something for the community, it's literally costing me to be open, my outgoings for the restaurant are about £460 a week, I'm taking an average of £200 a day... and people have the nerve to ask for free stuff... I'm sorry but I stay open when everyone else ran away, I cannot right now afford to fucking give shit away. We. are. drowning.

So I know most of you have asked for free crackers before, that's fine, just be aware of what you're asking for, and if they say no, understand instead of being a prick about it. I'm sure 99% of you reading this would be, to the 1%, be offended because you're an arsehole and change your mindset.

Thanks, stay safe

Chin