to boycott pret as staff give free coffee to people they fancy and I've never had one

[twojobsjane]

I go to pret almost daily, just heard that staff regularly give coffee to people they fancy or like as the CEO gave them that power.

I've never had a free coffee, probably because I'm not a beauty. Aibu to boycott them?

I really don't like the sound of that policy, no freebies due to my genes.

They should have a free coffee mystery half hour every day. The time changes every day but everyone in that half hour gets a free drink.

I know, I should just take over the world now

I didn't actually believe it was a proper policy to give to people they fancy, I thaught it was just a clever bit of promoting from the CEO. I bet loads of people are chancing their luck in Prets now. I know they've always had a quota of free coffee to give out to whoever they wish to.

Apart from anything I'll feel self conscious if I ever go there again, the male staff are obviously judging my looks.

What a horrible outdated stupid policy.

Never been in there and never will now (too grey and old) they will be judging me.

it's not just to. people they fancy. Apparently staff can give up to a certain number of free coffees a week. it's up to them who and how they decide. It can be for any reason a number of possibilities were listed in the original article but let's jump on that one

It's like being at the gym.
The Instructors (who are supposed to be on hand to help everybody) seem to spend most of thier time helping out the pretty young slim girls.

I got a free drink about three weeks ago. I don't think the man at the counter fancied me (I'm very obviously & heavily pregnant) I think he was just trying to brighten up my day, or that's the way I took it.

Its just another reminder that pretty people get so many benefits in life.

Of course most of these freebies will be given out purely based on looks as because thats mostly all they can go on.

Free coffee is more likely to be given out to people who don't treat the staff like shit so a way of encouraging good behaviour from customers. Of course you may not want to be nice to the staff, even on the off chance you may get a free coffee one day/

It just goes to show twojobjane that looks DO count.

Can someone link to the article, please?

I'm not keen on the policy of giving freebies to people staff fancy but am slightly mollified if it's for regulars/people staff like (not "like" like...)

Then again, I'm really ugly and have to compensate by being the smiliest, most outgoing, sunniest, kindest person I can be and Satan would travel to work on ice skates before I got a free coffee on the basis of fanciage. I'm old, too.

I thought from reading the article that it is a ridiculous policy

Sorry if already linked but The Daily Mail did an experiment on this -

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3051937/What-REALLY-takes-free-coffee-Pret.html

Apparently you need to show cleavage

Yes your right about gyms too, I've never had any of the instructors offer to help me. They do just seem to hangout there talking to their friends or helping people they fancy.

Its a good idea to be able to give it to people in need, ie regulars that have forgotten their money or someone homeless but giving it out mainly to pretty young girls is bonkers. In my office the only ones that have got it are young females, go figure.

It's been a few years since I was given a free latte. I admit I'm getting fat and old. However perhaps it's not so bad. I'm an chap and the person giving me frees was also a chap. Although I frequent the Covent Garden branches I am straight. Did I miss something? Was my cheerful banter mistaken for a come on? Such a thought never entered my head .... until I saw that advert.

Did anyone read this statement -

'We often get feedback from customers about how our shop teams have really brightened up their day, just through one small gesture of giving them a treat on the house.
'There aren’t any rules, it’s about random acts of kindness. Team members tell us they often give away treats to their regulars and customers they think are in need of cheering up. It’s our way of empowering our team members and giving something back to our loyal customers, and we get great feedback from both.'

It actually sounds like a good marketing campaign.

Was my cheerful banter mistaken for a come on?

Isn't that your answer?

You were cheerful and spoke to them like humans.

I worked in customer services years ago and the people that were nice to me I wanted to go out of my way to help them or do something extra etc

I would say about 25% of our visits the lovely servers give us freebies. All out breakfast once, ginger bread men for the kids, drinks.
I always thought it was a kind gesture for bedraggled but determinedly nice parents. Or possibly to get us away from the tills as soon as possible.
We tend to pop in there when I'm at the end of my tether/running late/ having a bad day and trying to be positive and treat the kids rather than all of us meltdown.
I ALWAYS choose prêt just because I think if they are kind to us when we are having a bad day then they are v nice people and probably don't mind the wailing too much. They give balloons out every weekend too. I do like Prêt.

I used to get masses of free stuff from Cafe Nero when I worked in town, from all the staff. But I am quite a chatty person so knew all sorts about them! They used to stamp my loyalty cards dozens of times so I could get free coffee in the other shops

I went into my local Pret in tears ages ago because something crappy had upset me.

Without me saying a word the staff member sat me down at a table, and brought me my regular order on the house. Made my day, and incidentally secured my custom for life.

I think it’s a real shame that the press have taken what is actually a nice campaign and turned it into something negative. The staff are given freedom to give free stuff to whoever they like, some give it to people who are nice to them, some will choose people they fancy. I was given free stuff by one of the female stuff after we’d had a nice chat.

I've only once been given free coffee anywhere, and it was at Pret, and it was because I'd just had a really shitty time and had been crying, and when I tried to pay she just waved by money away and said it was on the house. Made me feel so much better as the shitty time was related to someone being a selfish prick, so restored my faith in humanity somewhat (overly dramatic, but you get the idea).

I think it's great to allow staff a degree of autonomy in what is a fairly mundane job (in terms of creativity).

I've had a few free coffees from Pret and I'm no looker and well into 40s. However I am very nice, polite, smiley and kind

Well, this story really made my day, I'm 50, feel fat and frumpy and I can't be arsed with make up most days. But I got a free coffee a while back! Perhaps he should go to Specsavers.

I wish they would reinstate their roast beef with crispy onions sandwiches though.

I'm in my 60s and have had a few freebies. Maybe it's because I always smile and say hello. I doubt it's my film start looks.

I bet most of the free coffees get given to their mates/relatives.