Two minutes silence and refusing to serve customer

[BalugaBelle]

At work today I was on the checkout (large retail store) and the silence was announced over a tannoy.

A woman (on the phone) came up to the checkout during the silence, so I shushed her. Motioned to poppies next to till!

She then said, "I'm going to miss my train, please continue serving me!"

I refused, shook my head and sat silently for the two minutes.

At the end I put her items through, she moaned at me and called me rude and petty and then went on her merry way.

So was I being unreasonable to respect the two minutes silence, even if it meant a customer was unhappy at me doing so?

I know good customer service is needed but surely the two minutes silence takes priority? She clearly had no respect!

Quite frankly I didn't give a damn about her train, I was paying my respects as was everyone else in the shop. It was literally almost silent apart from young children (understandable) and general noise, i.e., heating making noises!

YANBU we stopped serving for the silence today. Our customers observed the silence with us and the we all carried on after.

What were all these silences for??

Do you really need to ask?.

Is it standard in England that shops etc do a two minute silence at 11am on 11th November? I'm in the UK, but not England, and I've never come across this. I mean obviously I've heard of a two minute silence, but it's on Remembrance Sunday, or during remembrance services.

If the shop has announced it's observing a two minute silence then it's observing a two minute silence, and you were right to stop for two minutes.

I have had 2 incidences where I have been in a shop and not obseved the 2 minute silence . The first..Really bad tummy bug, ran into supermarket for suplies. Really didn't have time to stand and observe silence so walked quietly round store but would not of expected anyone to serve me..Second one was a mistake. I walked into boots straight to counter and asked for something. they pointed to the sign and I stood and observed the silence for the rest of the 2 minutes then apologised at the end.
No you were not unreasonable.

I honestly don't believe that half the people who observe the 2 minute silence actually give a fuck about it. I think most go along with it as it's taboo not to and they don't want to look like a dick.
You should of just served her and if rememberence day means so much to you, you should have taken it as annual leave.

YANBU. When I worked in retail all staff were told to stop and show our respects for 2 minutes. I’d have got a very strong word from my manager if I’d have served her.

Yes, it's standard to fall silent in all public areas at 11am on Armistice Day.

I have tomorrow off coincidentally as my day off fell there.

Retail in November? No days off!

I went in a shop today which had a notice above the counter saying that the staff wished to observe the silence and they asked customers to respect that. The customers then had a choice to go elsewhere if they didn’t.

@treaclesoda the 11th is Armistice Day which is why the silence is held st 11am in addition the one on rememberance Sunday.

YANBU I bet if you had served her, someone else would be complaining that you and the shop were not respecting the silence.

We observed 2 minutes silence on a train last year where the train came to a comolete stand still. You were right op 2 minute silence is respectful and silence doesnt just mean talking it means unecessary booping of the checkout. If she was going to be late she should have planned earlier. 2 minutes is nothing for what people sacrificed so 100 years later we could be here buying groceries on a normal day.

@LouBlue1507 as has been said numerous times on this thread, booking a Saturday in the middle of November in retail is very difficult and in many stores impossible. Why not just accept that you have to wait 2 minutes to be served instead. Which at this time of year, is likely to be an underestimate anyway!

Baluga you were definitely NOT being unreasonable!!

Enough said!

God bless everyone who lost their lives in conflict enabling us to live our lives to the full. God help any lowlife who can’t respect that! 😡

@treaclesoda the 11th is Armistice Day which is why the silence is held st 11am in addition the one on rememberance Sunday.

Yeah, I know that's the date and time of the Armistice I've just never been anywhere that did a two minute silence for it, except when we were at primary school. I didn't know it was something that took place in public places like shops etc because it doesn't happen where I live.

rafflesway i agree. I personally know and am related to people who died/suffer severe ptsd as a result of wars they faught in and the horrors of wars past. People are becoming very dickish lately. If someone does something as a sign of respect they are being respectful they dont need to justify how or why they chose to observe the 2 mins silence.

I respect those who fought. However, I also respect the freedom not to want to take part in the silence. Not being quiet does not equal lack of respect. So I think I’d have served her.

scarlet why do you think not being quiet doesnt mean lack of respect? If you purposely talk in the 2 minute silence you are being disrespectful massively. The 2 minutes silence is a small well known social queue of respect like shaking hands is polite. If you deliberatly go against that its the very definition of disrespect.

Yanbu When I worked in retail we would log out of the till and step away so there was no mistaking we were observing the silence. We also used to dim the lights.
The poppy seller was the same bloke every year and had fought in WW2. He used to clap at the end of the silence. He died on the 9th November 2006. A fair few staff cried during the silence that year. I know it's a tangent but this thread reminded me of him.

Hope she missed her train

YWNBU.

In the stores I’ve worked in we were instructed by management to observe the 2 minutes silence. This included stepping away from the tills and not serving. If customers don’t want to observe it that’s up to them but no way would I serve in that time.

Guaranteed if you had served, someone else would have complained about staff being disrespectful!

I'm in Retail in a large store. We announce the 2 minutes silence 10 mins before then 5 mins. We also tell our staff to step back from the tills and not to serve.
Last year some guy really kicked off at a pregnant member of staff about why he had to wait to be served and how our guys kill innocent people and then went on to describe babies being killed etc...staff member was obviously trying to hide it but getting very upset. Took over for her and served the guy. First time I've ever met that kind of hatred towards it

Really shocked by all the people saying that you should of served her
You are absolutely NOT being really unreasonable OP - the woman should be ashamed of herself.. 2 minutes to show respect for those who fought and died for our freedom is not much to ask. Disgraceful woman

Selfish cow, I hope she missed her train and had a really horrible day 😡 Well done OP ywnbu

Martha. I disagree. I wouldn’t make others not be silent but the whole point of this wonderful freedom that’s been fought for is that we don’t insists others do things. Some people don’t choose to pay respects publically and that’s ok with me. I did today and I’m glad I had the choice to but if I was not able to, I wouldn’t be questioning my gratitude to those who fought.