I think I am probably BU. Staff smoking outside Tesco's

[quornqueen]

I'm hormonal this week so the littlest thing has set me off. DP says Im being a teeny bit unreasonable but he may be saying that to save his face! This post has smoking and parent and baby spaces in it so I am prepared for you all to sigh deeply and eye roll at me!

Our tescos has a little smoking hut with chairs and a light, its right by the back entrance a little further down from the parent and baby spaces. I cant see whats wrong with it tbh, but the staff prefer to smoke right by the trolleys next to the parent and baby spaces. I don't always use these spaces because I just park where ever BUT I do always have to get a trolley so I have to walk through this impromptu and non authenticated smoking area. The floor is mangy with hundreds of old fag butts, it smells as we walk through because there are a regular group of about 8 of them and my toddler often wants to walk but I don't really want him getting near it all. They are all having a laugh and that's all nice etc but they swear sometimes too. Also, its hard to get trolleys past them.

I asked nicely at Customer Services if perhaps they could move down to the real Tesco staff smoking area... its only 25ft from the area they are in now (but its covered and has a fag butt bin) and the lady looked annoyed (she is one of them!!!) but said yes she would remind staff.

A week later and they remain. AIBU to write?

[WorraLiberty]

If all the staff are using it regularly then it probably isn't "just some fag butts". It's probably a lot.

So what though?

It's not like she's being asked to walk through them barefoot or to lie down and roll her body across them.

She's only got to grab a trolley and push it into the store

[Salmotrutta]

Oh, and walking past a couple of people smoking, once or twice a week, for all of 10 seconds (and trust me, it really will be about 10 seconds) is not going to have big detrimental effects on your or your DCs health.

[quornqueen]

Ok so perhaps I am BU. I just hate the thought that DS could pick one up and eat it, when its windy out there all the ends blow up around you while you mess about trying to find a pound. Today with the swearing I just thought Argh!

I still think they could sweep it a bit more perhaps... or move the bins

[TheChaoGoesMu]

I probably wouldn't complain, but yeah it is a bit grubby if they have a proper smoking area close by.

[TheChaoGoesMu]

Why would your ds pick up a butt and eat it? Is this a wind up?

[Salmotrutta]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I totes forgot that When Fag Butts Go Bad they go baaaaaad.

[quornqueen]

Its not DS's health that was my major gripe, obvs we are outside so its not like hes going to be inhaling it!

It was the lack of respect from staff. Putting their butts out on the floor when there's a bin and swearing too. I just thought it was all a bit shit.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Well just don't let him pick one up and eat it then!

[WorraLiberty]

I would be mortified if I had a toddler who picked a fag butt up and ate it...I can understand that.

But to put it into perspective, if he's that way inclined he could do the same anywhere in the world.

Really though, in terms of writing a letter of complaint this would be filed under 'extremely mildly annoying and other things to worry about' in my brain.

[Tortington]

yabu for shopping at tesco

[NewStartinSpring]

I just hate the thought that DS could pick one up and eat it, when its windy out there all the ends blow up around you while you mess about trying to find a pound.

Is one going to blow into his mouth?

If you're that bothered then have a pound ready and hold your DS's hand.

YABU, and quit ridiculous too - why not just go to another supermarket?

[Salmotrutta]

He could pick up an earthworm and eat it OP.

My brother did that.

.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Could you shop somewhere else?

[IYoniWantToBeWithYou]

Find the pound while you are in the car, either carry your ds over or keep an eye on him to make sure he isn't eating fag ends, put him in the trolley and go about doing your shopping. Or, better still, do your shopping online, problem solved.

[MoaneyMcmoanmoan]

Yanbu. I hate having to walk through smoke and I understand why it annoys you.

It's selfish.

[Salmotrutta]

And he'll never hear swearing in the school playground. Oh no. Not ever.

[HoHoHoNoYouDont]

I'm actually surprised they get away with it to be honest. More the hanging around in a customer area before even taking the smoking into account. Over the years I've worked in hotels, retail and leisure etc and staff would never be allowed to gather in this way where clients/customers would see them whilst in uniform. How often do you see groups of room attendants or kitchen staff stood round like this in front of hotels etc. They have to hang out around staff entrances.

[MichaelPortaloo]

They're on minimum wage, doing a crappy job and have to put up with moany customers like you all day. Let them enjoy their fags.

[toffeelolly]

Do not know what you can really do about it .

[MoominsYonisAreScary]

it wouldn't be something I'd bother complaining about.

[Needavacation]

So the staff members are making the customers area a mess because they wont move to the smoking area provided specifically for them, yet OP is BU?

[Salmotrutta]

@ TheOriginalSteamingNit.

I shop in Heaven.

I find it suits my needs.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

I agree with you. Why can't the staff who want to smoke use the facilities provided 25 yards away do so and keep the trolley area free from fag butts and smoke. It is only a small thing but I do think it's important.

[fiverabbits]

Complain to head office, I can't reveal my source but I know that each store has a point list of how tidy the store is including the outside so the manager should know what the car park is like. I hate seeing staff standing outside smoking and I haven't got young children.

[CSIJanner]

If they're blatantly in uniform and smoking close to the main entrance, whilst swearing and littering then methinks Head Office won't see it as a mild irritation. They'll probably send strongly worded memos to the stores to remind staff that they are easily identifiable as staff members and need to show some discretion.

Think school children in uniform acting up outside of school hours and you've got the same scenario. So no, I don't think OP was unreasonable in asking them to walk to the hut as basically that's what it is there for.