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.
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.