After days of rain the sun came out and I decided to go for an outing. On my way home I stopped at a large garden centre that has nice rest rooms. Needed a coffee and a short rest too; got a latte and put down the right amount in cash.
The assistant immediately went ballistic and said cash was not acceptable. Had she been nicer I'd have got my card out, her belligerence got my back up and I decided to stand my ground and said: Its legal tender.
We don't accept it! I picked up the coffee and walked away. Sat down at a table and took a few sips only to be confronted by a man saying I could not have the coffee. He grabbed it, returned my money and accused me of being rude (I wasn't). I was stunned that they went full retard and created such a scene.
Shame I'm not on social media; if anyone wants to leave their thoughts on the Burford Garden Company (I'm in the UK) FB page feel free. Disgusting way to treat an old lady (anyone, in fact). We need to make a stand; so many are now excluded because they don't have cards or smart phones.
I would love to get a flash mob to go in, get full meals with drinks etc., try to pay in cash and walk away if they get stroppy. In the meantime I need to find out if they are legally entitled to refuse cash.
Sorry you were treated so savagely. Ever since COVID, I've noticed there is a more hostile relationship between customer and service provider. Very bad for long-term business growth. Yesterday I paid cash for a bottle of wine and the cashier took the 20 with gloves on and put it into a white envelope, like it was toxic. If you're that neurotic, don't work with the general public.
I will write to the manager and say they have lost a life-long customer and will be boycotted by my friends and the local gardening club. Very bad way to treat customers.
The other day I was in the Oxford Uni museum cafe; asked the girl if they were totally cashless and she said no, they took it if people didn't have cards. As she was trying to cope on her own and was nice I paid by card to make it easier for her.
I have not been near a Museum since last April but when I buy beer at the local Tavern, I will use debit for the beer and always tip with cash.
Good for you. I write to the establishments that are acting crazy. If we all did that, maybe they would pull their fangs in.
I agree with your sentiment about the customer/provider relationship. I have to say, though, that it goes both ways, and COVID has brought a lot of it on. Lots of FOMO and utter rudeness, to the point where a lot of restaurants and retail establishments (at least in my area) had to hang signs that stated (in so many words), "We will no longer tolerate rudeness in our establishment. Please be patient, as every one of us is going through the same hardships. You will not be served if you are rude to our staff." As shortages continue to build, I have a feeling that this adversarial relationship will get even worse for a while.
Neither side is innocent in this, and both sides continue to perpetuate this behavior. I think in the end, though, things will work themselves out when people on both sides latch on to what is actually important.
Putting up a sign like that must turn away Customers. I wouldn't eat there. Restaurants can't afford to lose Customers these days. It also depends on the Restaurant and Clientele. In a.lower socioeconomic area, a sign like that is probably very much needed.
I thought the same thing, until I spoke to an owner who said to me, "It only turns away the entitled, delusional ones you don't want." When you're/he's the only game in town in his small village facility (since many of the others have unfortunately closed due to the COVID lie), he can afford to enforce that. I've noticed that in most places around other areas, the signs have come down.
I can't disagree completely with his philosophy, either. He feels that people have bought too much into this marketed delusion that those with the most shiny objects can lord over others like they're scum, when in reality they're just yet another flittering, useless insect to those who have the real wealth and power.
I spend time in 2 cities 2 hours apart driving. One has the worst service and the other has the best service. Once a critical mass is met, everyone behaves the same way. Sadly, given the State of costs and bleak futures for younger people. It must be hard to keep a smile on your face while at work.
I started seeing those "don't be angry, verbably aggressive..." signs in doctor offices about a year ago. I asked an MA if people were getting mad in general or in specific instances. She said she had no clue. The signs just appeared one day.
Was that true. I couldn't say.
Lots of contempt for your fellow man these days. One of the signs of going from a First World society to a 3rd World. In Canada we have free healthcare but we are still at the mercy of the admin staff. I always bring them a box of chocolates when I visit my Doctor. It has saved me so much wait time and I always get an appointment within a week of calling up for one. The best investment I've ever made.
We leave a bit of candy for the trash collectors and the letter carrier. Both have been effusive in their thanks.
Long ago, my mother was a HR executive and she taught me that if you take care of the people at the bottom, they will remember it when it’s “go time”.
This is a fantastic idea