My rant for the day. Went to the beach with the kids (Juan Dolio). Usual place we go to is closed, so we went to a new place, more upmarket. Enjoying it, saying we are pleased to have discovered a new place, nice customers (but almost empty), nobody shouting, nice music, nice vibe. Then a car full of barrio brats comes along and sets up the mother of all speakers about 20 feet away from the restaurant, blasting out dembow so loud that nobody can hear themselves speak. I complain to the waiter. Typical "no es mi culpa" response, it's outside the restaurant nothing can be done. Complain again. He says he will speak to the manager. He says she is going to sort it out. Nothing happens, we can't talk while we are having lunch, whole point of the day is being ruined.
I go and speak to the manager, who says she isn't the manager as the manager is off today. But she is the one in charge. And no she didn't know anything about the problem nobody had told her. But she can't do anything about it. I mentioned that it was illegal and she should call the police. Ah yes, I'll do that she says. Have you got their number. Eventually she calls. Police come, music is turned off for a few mins. Police go, music turned back on.
I suggested that maybe if they want to get a more upmarket crowd to spend money in their restaurant, they need to find a solution. Yes you're right she says. But doesn't occur to her to call the police again. It's like pushing water uphill trying to get people to understand simple business concepts here. It's a shame because the venue was really nice, the music inside was good, it should have been much much busier but obviously nobody with any class wants to sit and listen to that racket.