Question:
My friend needs a handyman to do the exact same thing that I had him fix last week. The handyman did a very poor, and messy job. I was dissatisfied with his work. Can I tell my friend my experience with this handyman? Is it loshon hora to do so? What should I do, or not do/say? Similarly, he asks me about a particular restaurant I ate at in which I did not like the food, nor the service. How do I respond when he asks me if he should eat there? Is there a difference in the Rov’s response if he asks me publically (e.g., on social media) or privately?
Answer:
You should not tell anything to your friend. Offering negative information is only if you see that something very detrimental will happen to the other person, such as entering into a partnership with a crook etc. but not for something minor like this. You were not happy with the job because it was sloppy, or the restaurant’s’ service didn’t meet your standard, but this doesn’t mean necessarily mean that your friend will have the same negative experience, and even if he does, it isn’t so bad.
Best wishes
