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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To eat my lunch sitting at the cash register (small charity shop)

63 replies

BlackNoSugar · 16/09/2015 14:26

Sorry for any typos, I'm on my phone.
I work one or two days a week as a volunteer in a tiny charity shop in our small town. It's usually pretty quiet. The shop is open until mid-afternoon.
Today I was having my sandwich at the register, the shop had two or three people browsing. One came up to me just as I'd taken a bite, and I smiled behind my hand, swallowed as fast as I could, then greeted her with a jokey "sorry about that, can I help you?" At which she tutted at me, frowned at my sandwich, and said "you shouldn't be doing that, when you've got customers."
Problem is, I'm the only person here. I either eat at the register when the shop is quiet, or go the day without food.
Would you be offended by this if you were the customer? She's the first to ever comment about it.

OP posts:
TheExMotherInLaw · 16/09/2015 21:38

I'm a weird old bag - just not a miserable one!

AngelaRipp0n · 16/09/2015 21:54

I wouldn't do it, surely if it's only five hours you can eat before and after. It's a bit like eating in the street or on a train, no real reason not to do it, but it just feels yuk.

MistressDeeCee · 17/09/2015 00:30

Close the shop for 30 minutes each day so you can have a break. Put a sign on the door, customers will soon get used to it. Whether charity shop or not I don't want staff eating then putting greasy fingers on what Im buying. Maybe you look at it as you can do as you like since you're giving up your time voluntarily, which of course is a very worthy thing..but it doesn't mean customers should or will feel the same way. They're still paying for what they buy so are also supporting the charity too.

GirlOverboard · 17/09/2015 00:33

As a customer I'd find it a bit off-putting to be honest. Just because it's a charity shop I still expect the staff to act professionally and courteously. You wouldn't see the cashiers in Boots or Tesco eating a sandwich behind the till so I wouldn't expect it in a charity shop either. If I were in your position I'd take a bar of chocolate with me and sneak a quick square when nobody's looking. For a five hour shift I don't think you need any more than that.

Cherryblossomsinspring · 17/09/2015 00:39

I was once served in the bank by a teller who was eating a magnum ice cream. Licking away as she counted out my notes with one hand.

bloodyteenagers · 17/09/2015 00:42

when I did 5 hour shifts I ate afterwards. Isn't this the norm? I know plenty of people on 5 hour shifts that eat outside these times.

aurynne · 17/09/2015 00:51

It is rude to attend clients while munching a sandwich and getting crumbs all over your top and the counter, and bits of lettuce between your teeth. I understand the policy of the shop does not allow you much time for your lunch, but that does not detract from the fact that being waited on by someone eating a sandwich while she handles merchandise, money and types in a cash machine is not only quite off-putting but a health&safety risk.

lushilaoshi · 17/09/2015 09:06

Oh ageist shmageist, sooty. I am speaking from personal experience - you get some proper odd ones coming into certain shops.

PennyHasNoSurname · 17/09/2015 09:15

Sorry but I do not think it appropriate to eat and drink whilst working in a customer facing role. It isnt professional. I dont see why a Charity Shop should be any different to any other retail place.

Shut shop for ten minutes or eat a big breakfast and a late lunch.

SuburbanRhonda · 17/09/2015 09:29

I think the problem is that this is what you have been told to do by your manager.

So maybe you should raise it with them and say that a customer complained so what do they want you to do?

It's not about whether it's minging or not. The OP has been told by her manager that she must eat at the till. It's not her personal preference to do so.

SuburbanRhonda · 17/09/2015 09:30

And if I had been the customer, I would think very badly of a company, charity or not, that doesn't allow its staff to take a proper break.

queenrollo · 17/09/2015 09:37

I experienced this when in a volunteering role and eventually said that either I was allowed to close for 15 mins to eat my lunch or I took my time elsewhere.
I'm very jaded now about volunteering, as I've repeatedly found that they think they can treat you however they like.

If it was me, i'd tell the head office that either you are allowed a break or you'll take yourself off to a charity who actually value you.

EponasWildDaughter · 17/09/2015 09:50

This is very odd. I really really really cant see the problem.

This is not bloomin' Harrods! It's a tiny charity shop, in a small town, selling second hand stuff, staffed by one unpaid volunteer sitting having a sandwich at lunchtime.

Would all of you who think the OP is being U expect the stall holders of car boot sales to not eat at their stall either, because it's 'off putting'?

Muckogy · 17/09/2015 09:53

YANBU.
but its sod's law isn't it, when it comes to work and eats?
put a morsel in your mouth and the phone will start ringing non-stop off the hook.
or try and have a small bit to eat and a million customers will show up in front of you, all looking for help.
work and food on the hoof do not go well together.
also remember some people seem to be fatally attracted to interrupting others who are having a meal. its just a thing they like to do, to hassle people while they're eating.

you should be allowed a proper lunch break to eat your food in peace, off the shop floor.

Viviennemary · 17/09/2015 10:02

I do think it looks bad even if you are a volunteer. But I'd never dream of making a comment about it. Shutting the shop for lunch is the best thing to do IMHO.

SenecaFalls · 17/09/2015 10:31

Oh ageist shmageist, sooty. I am speaking from personal experience - you get some proper odd ones coming into certain shops.

"Old bag" is an ageist and sexist slur.

lushilaoshi · 17/09/2015 10:39

Really Seneca? I thought it was a term used to describe a miserable old woman. Same as "old git" for a miserable old man - although I bet I wouldn't be accused of ageism/sexism had I used that instead. But that's MN for you.

Not sure why we have to turn this into a debate about isms.

SenecaFalls · 17/09/2015 11:01

Yes, "old git" is offensive as well.

ilovesooty · 17/09/2015 11:58

Agreed Seneca

lushilaoshi · 17/09/2015 12:01

Oh well. Shoot me then.

TheWitTank · 17/09/2015 12:09

I once got complained about by a customer (was 17, my first job at a small printing firm) because I was eating my sandwich and reading a book at my desk around the corner from the till. Desk was back away from the till and around a slight corner so he would have had to peer around to see. There was someone serving, but he had to wait approx 2 minutes while they finished up, we had cctv are were able to watch this back. Customer wrote an absolutely hate filled, venomous letter, complaining about me 'ignoring paying customers' and being 'lazy' and hoping that a 'recession wipes out inadequate businesses like you'. I was working full time, started at 7am, it was 1pm and I hadn't stopped for a break yet. Was pouring with rain outside, nowhere else to sit. Perhaps I should have huddled under my desk? Everyone is entitled to a break. Luckily bosses both laughed and thought he was ridiculous. Some people are just miserable.

ilovesooty · 17/09/2015 12:09

Would you make similar derogatory remarks focused on age, race or disability?

ilovesooty · 17/09/2015 12:10

Sorry, I meant race, ethnicity or disability.

lushilaoshi · 17/09/2015 12:16

Well, we all turn into old bags or old gits eventually, innit.

I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist about it, sooty. I was simply trying to tell the OP not to take it personally - trust MN to pounce on my post with the "you're a whateverist" comments.

OP, you munch away.