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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that it's appalling that working men are not allowed to eat at certain restaurants?

120 replies

Sickofpeppapig00 · 21/01/2015 19:29

So, just started dating this guy. Very well educated (bachelor degree), nicely spoken. He works as an electrician. He recently mentioned that we would have liked to have lunch at Bill's (fairly casual restaurant chain in London) but couldn't as working men are not allowed to eat inside (only in their outdoor sitting area). Apparently this is the case with many other restaurant chains in London.

AIBU to think this is appalling behaviour and even might be illegal?

OP posts:
Namechangeyetagaintohide · 21/01/2015 20:20

Yeah they mean not covered in dirt. I work in that kind of job and am often filthy. My work clothes come off before I even step inside the door. I do obviously wear something underneath I do not let the neighbours see me in the nude.

chocolateorsalad · 21/01/2015 20:22

Eh? There's a Bill's about 4 miles from where I live. And it's not in London. And it looks very casual to me. I've been wanting to go there with DP and DS. I shall ensure DS doesn't have paint or dirt on his attire, in case they think he's a workman.

SocksRock · 21/01/2015 20:32

I don't let my husband in the house if he's been on site - boots off outside the front door or it gets everywhere. And if his clothes are dusty and the like, they go straight in the washin machine. Work clothes from building sites can be horrid, and having done my share of construction work I also used to strip at the door if I'd had visits that were particularly dirty.

MrsDeVere · 21/01/2015 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Salmotrutta · 21/01/2015 21:03

It completely wouldn't bother me if workmen in overalls were eating lunch at a place I went into.

Because if it's a cafe or casual place (which is where most workmen would choose to get lunch) I wouldn't be wearing my silk ball gown and mink Cape either.

MrsDeVere · 21/01/2015 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Salmotrutta · 21/01/2015 21:09

I quite like a workman in overalls...

Mintyy · 21/01/2015 21:11

Electricians can get absolutely filthy in the course of their work. They drill bloomin great channels out of walls for a start.

Bills is like Pizza Express or similar (for those that don't know). Couldn't he take his overalls off and leave them in the van and wash his hands?

usualsuspect333 · 21/01/2015 21:13

Me too, Salmo.

OTheHugeManatee · 21/01/2015 21:28

China White's probably wouldn't let me in wearing an everyday work suit. It's a dress code thing, not a plot against tradesmen.

Let me guess: you don't normally date 'working men' and are finding the Class Differences a bit of a thrill Hmm

OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 21/01/2015 23:06

If we're talking about people with mucky jobs being expected to be reasonably clean when entering this 'Bill's' then it's just the same as work canteens at oil refineries etc, where the workers are expected not to be utterly filthy when entering the canteen for lunch.

Let's face it, you don't want a sewage worker popping in unwashed, do you?

Summerisle1 · 21/01/2015 23:22

As someone who knows the Bill of Bills, all I can say is that he's hardly Mr Elegance himself. Quite the opposite. In fact, he's a greengrocer that made it good in Lewes and he comes from a family of "working men".

Oldraver · 21/01/2015 23:50

You say he is well educated, so how come he cant work out that its the attire of working men (muddy boots,manky overalls) thats the issue not that he is a working man.

He sounds a bit dim actually

DixieNormas · 22/01/2015 10:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

magpieginglebells · 22/01/2015 10:41

Are working women allowed?

Trills · 22/01/2015 10:47

What MrsDV said

It means 'don't be coming in here covered in crap' not 'begone you ruffians'

NeedABumChange · 22/01/2015 10:50

I like bills, they let me in after I'd been working on the yard and muddy wellies. Sexist cunts Wink

educationrocks1 · 22/01/2015 10:52

^You say he is well educated, so how come he cant work out that its the attire of working men (muddy boots,manky overalls) thats the issue not that he is a working man.

He sounds a bit dim actually

What Oldraver said. Exactly my thoughts.

SunnyBaudelaire · 22/01/2015 11:01

many pubs and restaurants have had 'no work boots' rule for years.
Being 'appalled' sounds a bit naive tbh

SunnyBaudelaire · 22/01/2015 11:03

and what does him being a graduate have to do with it exactly?

DeWee · 22/01/2015 11:08

What you wear can be an issue for lots of places, nothing to do with who you are.

When I was a student a group of us were quite close friends and one of the chaps (who also was the boyfriend of one of the girls) left the year before the rest of us. They got engaged and he came back to uni to tell us with and offered to treat us all to a meal.
We arrived at our chosen restaurant, nice one, not really posh, but smart perhaps.
The chap on the door took one look at us and said "tables were not available at that time". Which was odd because the place was half empty as we were coming at a slightly odd time.
Turned out they actually were not happy with one of the party's dress code. He was wearing jeans.

Funny thing was that was the fiance-the only non-student and training to be an actuary, so pretty high up the posh stakes. Grin

Zucker · 22/01/2015 11:10

Well that proves he's really a nice man not some working class scruffian SunnyBaulelaire

Does he honestly think that a restaurant chain would say HALT you working class scum you cannot enter this hallowed uppercrust ground to eat lunch? Eat outside with the peasants.

He may need to go get a Bachelor Degree in cop on.

kaykayred · 22/01/2015 11:10

I believe it's called a dress code.

And it might not even be that, it must just be a "no work boots" code.

Which is completely normal, and I'm a bit confused as to why your boyfriend is taking it as a personal affront.

Maybe they just really hate your partner and use the old dress code as an excuse

SaucyJack · 22/01/2015 11:11

I'm not appalled. DP works outside, and filthy chainsaw trousers and muddy boots and the smell of BO are not exactly restaurant attire.

There's plenty of places he can find to eat if he wants lunch in the middle of the day, or he can just come home and get washed like a civilised person.

WorraLiberty · 22/01/2015 11:16

This is one of the weirdest threads in a long while Grin

I have this mental image of men being turned away in droves, because they can't provide proof that they're claiming JSA.