Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 15 16

Original poster

To have thought we should have been allowed another cup

393 replies

lakia · 01/06/2015 19:39

Was in a restaurant today with my parents they wanted a cream tea we saw on the notice board that it came with a big pot of tea and two generous sized scones with cream and jam.
My parents seeing the size of it decided to order the one between them it wasn't stated as either been for one or two people.
Anyway so we ordered paid and one cup was put on the tray and of course we asked if we could have another cup and the guy who happened to be the manager refused we was bit taken back by this and thought maybe he had misunderstood so again we said we want another cup to which he refused again.
We asked why and he said this is a cream tea for one person and I said its too much for my parents and they want to share he replied that he is a business and that if we want another cup then we have to buy a separate cup of tea I said that's ridiculous and he said no it isn't and he would not budge. He then said that its like him giving one cream tea to a load of people to share and its not good for his business.
Just interested in your thoughts.

OP posts:

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 01/06/2015 19:54

I've had tons of cream teas, including many in Devon, and there are always, ALWAYS two scones per person. A cream tea for two would have 4 scones and a bigger pot of tea.

AuntyMag10 · 01/06/2015 19:55

2 scones is far too much for one person. You just wanted a cup not another free tea. He was being ridiculous. Yanbu.

Original poster

lakia · 01/06/2015 19:55

my parents did share the cup in the end.

OP posts:

Only1scoop · 01/06/2015 19:55

To be honest they generally come with one cup of tea. We regularly go to a couple of places and order 1 cream tea with one extra cuppa

DressingGownFrown · 01/06/2015 19:57

It makes no sense, if you wanted an extra scone or more tea then obviously it would be unreasonable, but how does it affect him if you have an extra mug on the table?! Surely you would then just share the cup, so it doesn't make / lose him any money (other than the pence of washing the extra cup perhaps?).
It's like ordering a bottle of wine for the table in a restaurant, everyone gets given a glass regardless of who is drinking the wine. It has been bought, if you all wanted to sip it off teaspoons you should be allowed, or rather, he should allow it if he wishes to run a successful business....

Sleepyfergus · 01/06/2015 19:57

What a twat. And what away to alienate customers.

fourchetteoff · 01/06/2015 19:58

2 scones would have just been perfect for me!

But, it sounds like he handled his explanation very badly. They should have been more specific on their menu that this is a cream tea for one person. Again, I've worked in a place like this and if you add up all the extra cups of tea that the cafe is missing out on, it can add up to a heck of a lot at the end of the day. Our local cafe now is really specific about this too. You can, however buy a 'bottomless' cup of tea for just £1 extra.

Wonkyparsnip · 01/06/2015 19:59

I served cream teas today. Always 2 scines. I think it was a bit cheeky to ask for another cup but I'd have given it you.

Purplepoodle · 01/06/2015 20:00

If it's for a pot then honestly don't see why he couldn't just give an extra cup. But in that situation I would have just paid for another cup.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 01/06/2015 20:01

Going off on a bit of a tangent- I remember seeing a pub manager in Devon shouting at a couple of women who were unashamedly piling a plate high with salad to share, so that they could avoid buying one each. They looked pretty well off too. Things like this put restaurants out of business- sharing food is ok, but taking double is not! Sharing the scones is fine, trying to share the pot of tea for one, not so much

QuiteLikely5 · 01/06/2015 20:01

I know nothing about tea and scones but I do think two scones for one person is a tad much.

My initial thought was he was giving the extra scone free to entice the other person to buy a cup of tea? But not the case if they usually come in twos........

I do think he could have just given you the extra cup.......

Original poster

lakia · 01/06/2015 20:01

Exactly Dressinggown

OP posts:

Viviennemary · 01/06/2015 20:01

I think the cafe owner was in the right. Three people in a cafe equals three drinks. Afternoon tea for one person. No wonder these cafes are struggling to stay afloat. I think it's fair enough to share the cream tea but not the pot unless it's a pot of tea for two people regardless of size.

shushpenfold · 01/06/2015 20:02

I'm with wonky - I can see the point that they're only asking for another cup but I do think it's cheeky to ask for one. Sharing both is the only polite thing to do, although now that I think of it, I'm struggling to see the difference with asking for an extra cup versus extra plate, which nobody ever has a problem with.....hmm, semantics!

fourchetteoff · 01/06/2015 20:06

I think that is the point I am trying to make (very badly) InSpace.

There is a kind of difference between all of these things that is very petty, but important when it comes to keeping a cafe afloat. Having another cup is a very mild version of what the 'salad ladies' were doing. But as you were upset by it, it does sound like he didn't do his business any favours Lakia.

PickledOnionSoup · 01/06/2015 20:07

It would probably work in his favour if he gave you two cups because you would finish your drinks quicker this freeing up the table quicker for the next customers to come in and buy something. YADNBU and I would put something on Trip Advisor to let others know of your experience.

Original poster

lakia · 01/06/2015 20:07

the cream tea was priced at £4.99 does this appear reasonable.

OP posts:

grannytomine · 01/06/2015 20:07

I live in Devon, round here cream teas always come with two scones. A pot of tea for two costs more than a pot of tea for one.

raawwhh · 01/06/2015 20:07

I'm sorry but I think YABU.

A cream tea should always have 2 scones on it for ONE person.

With the pot of tea thing - cafes and restaurants base their very small margins on 1 person drinking from the pot with x amount of tea bags in and therefore costing x amount to put on the table. What can start to happen when people ask for an extra cup with a pot of tea of tea for one is they ask for 'a bit of extra milk' and 'a bit of extra hot water' and before you know it they have had enough milk for 2 people, hot water (which although small costs to bring over and heat etc), they have had the cost of providing and clearing and cleaning the extra cup.

To you it may see that he was being petulant but for a catering industry that makes very very small margins on everything the pennies really count.

Only1scoop · 01/06/2015 20:08

That's cheap as chips round here and would just be meant for one.

fourchetteoff · 01/06/2015 20:09

So he made £2.50 from 2 people for a cream tea who sat down for x number of minutes.

It does seem like your parents were getting incredible value for money.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 01/06/2015 20:09

I thought I was making my point v badly too four

Original poster

lakia · 01/06/2015 20:09

the café was very busy and he stood there defiantly whilst the queue was building up refusing to give us another cup.

OP posts:

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 01/06/2015 20:10

That's ridiculous. The last two times I i've ordered ice cream for my DD, two spoons were brought in for the frankly giant portions. Two different places as well.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 01/06/2015 20:10

My cream tea for one was £5.50 and we bought a separate pot of tea

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 ··· 15 16