This might not be the most appropriate forum (apologies to anyone bothered) but I would be interested in this community's observations on a recent restaurant experience in the Philadelphia area. Most of our meals were terrific, but there was an exception that surprised and even disgusted me:
. . . In a downtown Indian restaurant (Passage to India) we had a well-prepared lunch buffet that was marred by a loud video (a Bollywood film, I presume) playing on a TV in the middle of the dining room and receiving the rapt attention of a couple of the staff. I mentioned to a server and the acting manager that the volume seemed rather loud, but they just looked at me bemusedly and ignored the complaint. Have others had similar experiences? What to do? I resisted the temptation to make a big deal out of it, not wanting to worsen an unpleasant situation, but I remain troubled by such poor regard for customers, and in this case I felt justified in leaving no tip. (It was a buffet, and there was almost zero table service anyway.)

My initial post was getting too long so I stopped, but I wanted to mention one other unfortunate restaurant experience in case anyone wants to comment on that too. In a nice suburban restaurant, I ordered the special du jour (a pasta/shrimp dish) and instead was given pasta/chicken. I complained to the manager as he walked by our table and he briefly apologized and said the chef must have been thinking of the previous day's special; he asked if he could bring a few shrimp to make up for the mistake. I said I didn't really need any more food and I'm sure my tone conveyed disappointment and annoyance, but he insisted on bringing a few shrimp and said that I would be pleased with them. Well, the shrimp came (alone on a saucer) and the manager made no further effort to apologize or offer to forgo or reduce the charge. I did not want to get angry or vocal, but I feel now that I should have done something more to seek satisfaction for an error that I think is inexcusable. But, as in the cae of the offensive TV at the Indian restaurant, I don't want to go around being hostile and retaliatory every time some disappointment occurs. I have to say that 90% of my dining experiences are most enjoyable; it's the other 10% that I am not sure how to handle.

Calm down.

In the Indian restaurant, you may have been going against what the other customers like. Certainly the staff do, by your own admission.

At the suburban restaurant, would you have been happier to wait while they cooked a new dish for you? Did you expect a freebie? They tried, perhaps ineptly, to satisfy you. How could they do better if you did not tell them what you wanted them to do?

I think, no offense, that you need to work on a sense of proportion if such tiny blips on life's radar seem like a major storm. "Disgust" and "inexcusable" are a pretty strong reaction.

Just don't go back to these places.

DJs spinning tunes and massive flat screen TVs playing movies are the latest hot thing in restaurants.

The earlier you eat, the lower the volume and the lighter the music.

Restaurants are finding that they can make so much more revenue turning themselves into nightclubs after 11PM.

Hop, I think you should practice stating what you want more clearly: always politely, of course, but clearly. As in "Would it be possible for you to turn the TV off, please?", or "I'd like today's special, please--would you take this back and ask the chef to redo my order?". It is easier to ignore an annoyed tone or look than a direct request. And punishing the waitstaff by witholding a tip doesn't help improve your experience, it apparently doesn't even make you feel closure afterward.

That said, it is not always possible to get what you want. If you have stated your desires clearly and received a poor response in return, the solution is to enjoy what you can about the remainder of the meal, and, indeed, to avoid the restaurant in future. And then forget about it. It's not worth all the angst.