To not want to be hoovered around in a coffee shop?

TeaAndBrie · 2024-06-14T14:42:06+00:00

I’ve got an hour to myself before picking up DD, stressful day at work, so thought I would pop into a coffee shop and have some tea and cake as an end of week treat. the coffee shop closes at 5. Probably 7-8 other tables in use so I’m not the only way here. they are clearly tidying up ready to leave when possible, fine, I get it. but hoovering and sweeping around customers tables is surely a bit much and ruins the whole experience of sitting and relaxing in a coffee shop - why else would I pay £9 for a pot of tea and cake?! aibu or would this annoy others too?

PurpleBugz · 14/06/2024 17:40

Samthedog71717 · 14/06/2024 16:42

I used to work in a cafe which closed at 7.15. We usedcto start cleaning at about 6.45 as it did take a whole to do but we closed off some of the restaurant. We didn't get paid after 7.15 so needed to clean up earlier. Tough if you come so close to closing

I echo this. Very common to not get paid past closing time but there is still the requirement to clean so it's started before close. The problem probably wasn't the waiting staff it's with the owner

Samthedog71717 · 14/06/2024 17:12

@Nanny0gg no that is 30 minutes
6.45- 7.15 is half a hour.

CammyChameleon · 14/06/2024 16:54

Yes it's annoying, but not as annoying as your boss refusing to pay you after closing time (or maybe 10 minutes after closing time if they're generous) AND expecting you to leave the place clean and ready to be opened.

This leaves employees the choice between cleaning around customers, or allowing their employer to steal from them. Yes I know, take them to court blabla, but few people on casual min wage are doing this realistically.

So I'd grit my teeth and give them the benefit of the doubt.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:48

TeaAndBrie · 14/06/2024 16:44

I got in at 3.20, they close at 5

Show quote history

The issue will be that they don't get paid after closing, so all the cleaning needs to be done by 5pm. Not really their fault, more of a management issue.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:47

Nanny0gg · 14/06/2024 16:43

Don't you check your bills?

Show quote history

Yep, at the table when it's brought to me, then I either raise any issues or pay rather than faff about trying to get their attention (again).

Original poster

TeaAndBrie · 14/06/2024 16:44

Nanny0gg · 14/06/2024 16:44

It was over an hour!!

Show quote history

I got in at 3.20, they close at 5

OP posts:

Original poster

TeaAndBrie · 14/06/2024 16:44

brunettemic · 14/06/2024 16:10

What did they say when you raised it with them…or did you not bother and then just whined about it on here?

Haha 😂
I actually asked them to not do around my table whilst I was eating and got a gen Z stare and sneer back!

OP posts:

Nanny0gg · 14/06/2024 16:44

Samthedog71717 · 14/06/2024 16:42

I used to work in a cafe which closed at 7.15. We usedcto start cleaning at about 6.45 as it did take a whole to do but we closed off some of the restaurant. We didn't get paid after 7.15 so needed to clean up earlier. Tough if you come so close to closing

It was over an hour!!

Nanny0gg · 14/06/2024 16:43

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:32

Yep, it's called a cross-post

Still think you were silly to ask for a bill you weren't ready to pay then and there, though.

Don't you check your bills?

Samthedog71717 · 14/06/2024 16:42

I used to work in a cafe which closed at 7.15. We usedcto start cleaning at about 6.45 as it did take a whole to do but we closed off some of the restaurant. We didn't get paid after 7.15 so needed to clean up earlier. Tough if you come so close to closing

TellMeWhoTheVillainsAre · 14/06/2024 16:41

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 15:48

Yes, it would annoy me. I was in a coffee shop last weekend. Very busy & popular, having to turn people away as no tables free.

When we were nearing the end of our coffee & cake, we asked for our bill while a waitress was close-by (very hard to pin one down for anything!) She brought the bill along with the card reader.
"Oh don't worry, we're paying cash", says I.
She then proceeds to linger around our table waiting for us to pay.
"We're not finished yet, please just leave the bill for the moment".
Cue eye rolling and a flounce.

It couldn't have been clearer that she wanted us to get going so they can fill the seats whilst they're warm. I won't be rushing back. Goodbye, tip!

Edited

If you asked for the bill it was fair for her to assume that you wanted to pay the bill.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:40

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 16:37

Ha, I guess you have a point. For myself, I would feel a bit rushed. I know when abroad the server tends to put down the bill and leave, I check and then either pay at the counter or pay the server when they come round again. I prefer it that way.

Show quote history

I guess for me, I always ask for the bill when I'm ready to get going, not 10-15 minutes beforehand as I'd feel a bit weird doing that. I also don't know whether I might fancy another coffee etc. afterwards.

LordSnot · 14/06/2024 16:39

Reading how highly-strung some posters are really makes me feel sorry for waiting staff.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:38

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 16:38

Do you know how many there was of us at a table or how much food we ordered? Bit of an assumption that you know the mechanics of how we were splitting the bill, or how long that might take us to organise. Clearly you are the leading voice in coffee shop etiquette and we should all be ready to ship out immediately, regardless of anything else. God forbid a waitress, who's whole job is to provide a reasonable service to customers, needs to return in 5 minutes!

Show quote history

Blimey, you're a bit worked up aren't you?

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 16:38

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:33

I've always checked the bill in front of the server, it only takes thirty seconds.

Show quote history

Do you know how many there was of us at a table or how much food we ordered? Bit of an assumption that you know the mechanics of how we were splitting the bill, or how long that might take us to organise. Clearly you are the leading voice in coffee shop etiquette and we should all be ready to ship out immediately, regardless of anything else. God forbid a waitress, who's whole job is to provide a reasonable service to customers, needs to return in 5 minutes!

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 16:37

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:33

I've always checked the bill in front of the server, it only takes thirty seconds.

Show quote history

Ha, I guess you have a point. For myself, I would feel a bit rushed. I know when abroad the server tends to put down the bill and leave, I check and then either pay at the counter or pay the server when they come round again. I prefer it that way.

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 16:34

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:32

Yep, it's called a cross-post

Still think you were silly to ask for a bill you weren't ready to pay then and there, though.

I reckon it's silly to believe that asking for a bill means people waive the right to check their bill and finish the last of their food. But cool, each to their own.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:33

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 16:33

Surely though the server would leave the bill and remove themselves whilst the customer checked it and then return. That would be the mannerly thing to do.

Show quote history

I've always checked the bill in front of the server, it only takes thirty seconds.

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/06/2024 16:33

IWantToBeASleepingCat · Today 16:12
I hate it too.
McDonald's have an habbit of using a wet dirty mop around you.. I've often had my feet wet mopped when with Grandkids.
I've told them and wrote e mails.. no response.”

It’s a fast food place. It has to be cleaned continuously. And the mop won’t be dirty, they have pretty stringent guidelines.

Go somewhere else if it bothers you.

Terrribletwos · 14/06/2024 16:33

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:24

Why did you ask for the bill if you weren't ready to pay it?

Show quote history

Surely though the server would leave the bill and remove themselves whilst the customer checked it and then return. That would be the mannerly thing to do.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:32

Yep, it's called a cross-post

Still think you were silly to ask for a bill you weren't ready to pay then and there, though.

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 16:31

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:24

Why did you ask for the bill if you weren't ready to pay it?

Show quote history

Literally answered this two comments up 🙄

I'd say it was a sign that I wanted the bill, which I did. I then want to be able to peruse my bill to make sure I've been charged correctly, leave my payment and tip without a waitress looming over the top of me.

I also worked in hospitality for many years and I'd bring the bill and ask them if they wanted the card reader. I wouldn't have just presented it to them immediately.

I didn't say I'd asked for my bill and then sat there sipping the dregs of my coffee for 25 minutes, which 100% would have been unreasonable. I asked for my bill because the waitress was close-by and I know from experience that they are as rare as hens teeth and I could easily have spent 10+ minutes desperately trying to make eye contact, once I was completely finished. Asking for my bill doesn't mean I have money/card in my hand and I must give it to them IMMEDIATELY. It means I want my bill. I'd like to be allowed a perfectly reasonable few minutes to LOOK at my bill, finish the last little bit of my cake and look through my purse for coins (for a tip) before being ushered out the door.

fieldsofbutterflies · 14/06/2024 16:24

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 15:48

Yes, it would annoy me. I was in a coffee shop last weekend. Very busy & popular, having to turn people away as no tables free.

When we were nearing the end of our coffee & cake, we asked for our bill while a waitress was close-by (very hard to pin one down for anything!) She brought the bill along with the card reader.
"Oh don't worry, we're paying cash", says I.
She then proceeds to linger around our table waiting for us to pay.
"We're not finished yet, please just leave the bill for the moment".
Cue eye rolling and a flounce.

It couldn't have been clearer that she wanted us to get going so they can fill the seats whilst they're warm. I won't be rushing back. Goodbye, tip!

Edited

Why did you ask for the bill if you weren't ready to pay it?

EverythingYouDoIsaBalloon · 14/06/2024 16:23

YANBU. Rude to clear up while people are still eating.

MaryBethMayfair · 14/06/2024 16:12

FrogsWormsandCaterpillars · 14/06/2024 16:08

I would say that asking for the bill is a sign you’re ready to pay is it not? I worked in hospitality for a few years and would take the card reader with the bill when someone asked for it.

Show quote history

I'd say it was a sign that I wanted the bill, which I did. I then want to be able to peruse my bill to make sure I've been charged correctly, leave my payment and tip without a waitress looming over the top of me.

I also worked in hospitality for many years and I'd bring the bill and ask them if they wanted the card reader. I wouldn't have just presented it to them immediately.