Bird on the Rock Tearoom - Clungunford, Shropshire

tomstickland

Biggles wrote: »

No he wasn't. He was just 'rigid and snotty'!

So would I have been if a party had marched in as I was getting ready to close and demanded service and the use of my toilets.

If someone made a special detour to visit a tea room, knowing their closing times, you'd think the least they could do would be to arrive in plenty of time.

It says on their website that they close at 5pm. 4.40pm is 20 minutes before closing time. Most people I know can drink a cup of tea and eat a cake in less than 20 minutes.

I'm pretty undemanding and happy to work around problems etc, but I've experienced several cases in the last few years where owners of a business seem to have no idea about customer relations. The worst had to be the curry house in Machynlleth. That reminds me, I need to post on the knowhere guide.

This sort of happening is typical of small time crappy cafes and tea rooms across the UK. It was worse 20 years ago, but there's still a long way to go.

uktim29

tomstickland wrote: »

It says on their website that they close at 5pm. 4.40pm is 20 minutes before closing time. Most people I know can drink a cup of tea and eat a cake in less than 20 minutes.

Not if you think about it. 16:45 by the time they've sorted themselves out by going to the toliet and got to the counter, 16:47 deciding exactly what they want, 2 minutes probably locating money (not far off 10 to now.) Then deciding where to sit. Doesn't leave much time to be done and out of the place by 5. Thats very realistic timing. If you watch the public it's amazing how slowly things actually get done.

liney

It is amazzing how many people arrive in my office at 4.45pm, when we close at 5pm knowing the purpose of their visit takes much longer than 15 minuites. I usually send them away with forms to return completed the next day - i will not work extra hours because someone was too busy to attend during my office hours.

I do think he could have given you tea only and allowed you to use the facilities, however, with your you'll be sorry - i'll get you shut down, yadda, yadda attitude, perhaps i would have refused you too.

smileypigface

I've worked in a couple of local pubs over the last few years and have often remarked on how 'inhospitable' the landlords seem to be ... surprising for their chosen job path.

My theory is that because these people are, because of the nature of the job, in the one place (pub in this example, but could apply to a tea-room scenario) for the majority of the time and that people (customers) come to them - that they end up with an over-inflated sense of their own importance .. they are the kings of their little empire ... can post up notices 'telling' people how to act whilst on their premises and are able to eject those who disagree with them.

The last landlord I worked for (given it up now) employed his daughter as his manager - and hardly a shift went by when she didn't upset one or more customers (usually those not on the 'favoured' list of customers) - it was embarrassing to work there, when I felt I was being paid to be pleasant and hospitable to people while the bosses were openly hostile, arrogant and rude.

No idea why people who hate other people so much get themselves into jobs in the hospitality business ... hmmmm, don't suppose the large profits have anything to do with it!!!!!

Biggles

Now he's 'contravened local byelaws'. First you've mentioned of that. Your story changes with every post.

If he already had the place on the market, though, you can understand his lack of enthusiasm, esp with regard to giving short shrift to aggressive would-be customers.

Horasio

Biggles wrote: »

Now he's 'contravened local byelaws'. First you've mentioned of that. Your story changes with every post.

If he already had the place on the market, though, you can understand his lack of enthusiasm, esp with regard to giving short shrift to aggressive would-be customers.

I can't be bothered to reply, you obviously want to attack me - yawn!

:wall::wall::wall:

Horasio

rdwarr wrote: »

It's an interesting discussion (does one put customers before staff?) but, to be honest, the OP here is so nasty to those who don't agree with their point of view that it's not going to get the airing it deserves.

Such a friendly reply - if that is aimed at me - I have felt some of the OP to be nasty - do I just take it, we are the victims here or do you agree that we should have been treated that way?

:wall::wall::wall: - why do I bother, it is falling on deaf ears

I wish there was a yawn icon on here

I bet you write all those boring notices I saw everywhere in England:rotfl:

Horasio

liney wrote: »

It is amazzing how many people arrive in my office at 4.45pm, when we close at 5pm knowing the purpose of their visit takes much longer than 15 minuites. I usually send them away with forms to return completed the next day - i will not work extra hours because someone was too busy to attend during my office hours.

I do think he could have given you tea only and allowed you to use the facilities, however, with your you'll be sorry - i'll get you shut down, yadda, yadda attitude, perhaps i would have refused you too.

Such helpful attitudes - really shows the UK to be such a friendly co-operative place

Keep the flag flying and our bad reputation intact! - well done!!!:T

the award for the best jobsworth goes to ............
:wall:

Horasio

smileypigface wrote: »

I've worked in a couple of local pubs over the last few years and have often remarked on how 'inhospitable' the landlords seem to be ... surprising for their chosen job path.

My theory is that because these people are, because of the nature of the job, in the one place (pub in this example, but could apply to a tea-room scenario) for the majority of the time and that people (customers) come to them - that they end up with an over-inflated sense of their own importance .. they are the kings of their little empire ... can post up notices 'telling' people how to act whilst on their premises and are able to eject those who disagree with them.

The last landlord I worked for (given it up now) employed his daughter as his manager - and hardly a shift went by when she didn't upset one or more customers (usually those not on the 'favoured' list of customers) - it was embarrassing to work there, when I felt I was being paid to be pleasant and hospitable to people while the bosses were openly hostile, arrogant and rude.

No idea why people who hate other people so much get themselves into jobs in the hospitality business ... hmmmm, don't suppose the large profits have anything to do with it!!!!!

Describes the d/head to a tee

Funnily enough England must be the world capital for petty notices - do the people in England really need so much direction?

Horasio

janeawej wrote: »

I do think it would have been polite of him to have offered you at least a cup of tea, surely that wouldnt have taken 20 mins to prepare and drink.

I agree

but the d/head had to exercise his petty supercilious rights - and to anyone who thinks his behaviour is OK to a traveller and fellow human being is a :wall:

I don't expect people to agree with me but the OPs supporting bad treatment/service to others in this failing country is sick!