How we sound vs how we do not
Every weak line below is followed by why it is weak and the CUN rewrite. Read BAD, then RIGHT, out loud, back to back. 1) SUGGESTIVE SELL BAD: 'Would you care to try our fries today?' WHY BAD: Stiff, robotic, sounds like a customer-service script. Zero personal stake, easy to say no. RIGHT: 'Hell yeah, are one of our signatures, you have to get them.' Energy, confidence, you are vouching for it. 2) NEW BAD: 'Are you familiar with our menu?' WHY BAD: Sounds like a quiz. Puts the guest on the spot and can embarrass them if they say no. RIGHT: 'First time? Cool, you are good, I got you.' Casual, warm, lowers the stakes and hands them a guide. 3) BEVERAGE ADD-ON BAD: 'Would you like to add a beverage to your order?' WHY BAD: Generic, sterile, no reason to say yes. Easy no. RIGHT: ' or a with that? My favorite is the lassi, it cools the heat.' Specific choice, personal pick, ties to the food. 4) DISH RECOMMENDATION BAD: 'Would you recommend the ?' WHY BAD: Sounds like the cashier does not know their own menu. Kills trust. RIGHT: 'Decon is AK's thing, he eats it desi hot.' Brand story baked in, sounds like an insider tip. 5) SERVICE RECOVERY BAD: 'I can offer you a complimentary item to compensate for the inconvenience.' WHY BAD: Corporate apology, lawyer-speak. Feels like a policy, not a person. RIGHT: 'Let me get you something better, on us.' Ownership in five words, no script energy. GUT CHECK: If your line sounds like a chain restaurant or a customer service department, rewrite it. CUN sounds like a friend who works here, not a script.
Every weak line below is followed by the right way to say it. Read the BAD, then read the RIGHT out loud, back to back. The rewrite is not a suggestion, it is the CUN version.
| BAD | Would you care to try our fries today? Stiff. Robotic. Sounds like a customer-service script. |
| RIGHT | Hell yeah, are one of our signatures, you have to get them. Energy. Confidence. Personal stake. |
| BAD | Are you familiar with our menu? Sounds like a quiz. Embarrasses the . |
| RIGHT | First time? Cool, you are good, I got you. Casual. Warm. Lowers the stakes. |
| BAD | Would you like to add a beverage to your order? Generic. Sterile. Easy no. |
| RIGHT | or a with that? My favorite is the lassi, it cools the heat. Specific. Personal. Friendly nudge. |
| BAD | Would you recommend the ? Sounds like the cashier does not know. |
| RIGHT | Decon is AK's thing, he eats it desi hot. Brand story baked in. |
| BAD | I can offer you a complimentary item to compensate for the inconvenience. Corporate apology lawyer-speak. |
| RIGHT | Let me get you something better, on us. Ownership, in five words. |
If you read your line in your head and it sounds like a chain restaurant or a customer service department, rewrite it. CUN sounds like a friend who works here, not a script.