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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To face customers while sipping iced drink

26 replies

Ribrabrob · 15/06/2018 05:00

I work in a public facing role. We are allowed to drink at the desk and I'll often grab a take out coffee to drink first thing - this is fine, all allowed etc. Thing is this morning, I want an iced latte. An iced latte comes in a plastic cup with ice and a straw.

Aibu to drink this while serving customers? (Obviously when they are not standing at the desk). I just feel odd about it - is it unprofessional? Will other staff think I'm unprofessional? Should I stick to hot?

OP posts:

TheOriginalEmu · 15/06/2018 05:18

I think if you are allowed coffee then it’s fine to have a cold drink,

PeonyTruffle · 15/06/2018 05:45

Get the cold drink. Life's too short

Brown76 · 15/06/2018 05:51

Get them to put it in an opaque coffee cup.

ImogenTubbs · 15/06/2018 05:52

Get yourself a reusable straw and eco friendly mug and use it as a topic of conversation with customers.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 15/06/2018 05:53

I'm not quite sure what you think the difference is? Its fine. These questions arent meant to be sarcastic or any thing.

Why is drinking out of a plastic cup any different to drinking out of a plastic cup (coffee take away cups may look lile paper but their coated in plastic) or do you think paper is easier to recycle, thing is ironically the plastic is probably more recyclable than a nornal coffee take out cup.

Is it cos its see through and you can see the drink this is surely no differemt to having a glass of water,

Or do you think using a straw is childish or something? Plenty of adults use straws

Cherrysherbet · 15/06/2018 05:54

Yanbu to have the cold drink.
Yabu to use a plastic straw.

nannybeach · 15/06/2018 06:24

My DD works in a public also, because of leg changes and she works 5 hours now not entitled to a "coffee" break, but the time from leaving home, dropping DGKs at school and getting back home after school, is 7 hours, she has a cold drink under the counter, and sips it descretely when there are no customers around. I worked a 12.5 hour night shift with a nearly 50 mile commuete, our hours had also been changed (and I moved) we were told just our 1 hour break, no coffee breaks as well, ended up in A & E with UTIs a couple of times, so walked around, popping a thermos cup of iced water somewhere out of the way, and sipping it when I could, when I sat down to write notes, (was still working as far as I was concerned, sipping more water) and there we were nagging the patients to drink more, bit ironic. I see lots of supermarkets, (our local Sainsbury) allow the cashiers to have various bottles of water, at their stations and drink while working.But plastic straws are sooooh last seaons

nannybeach · 15/06/2018 06:26

Who can drink the last bit with a straw without making a slurping noise!

AngelsOnHigh · 15/06/2018 06:43

A bottle of water is fine. Tea or coffee totally unprofessional.
If you have face to face contact with customers there is always the possibility of spillage , burns, etc.

Plus, as a customer I wouldn't like to be facing someone in a business setting, slurping away at tea or coffee.

wowfudge · 15/06/2018 06:46

Really? How is drinking tea or coffee out of a mug/cup less professional than drinking water out of a bottle?

FatBarry · 15/06/2018 06:57

I don't see any difference between a hot latte or an iced latte. However personally I see a plastic cup or small bottle of water as being acceptable in a public facing role but not really anything else.

Where do you draw the line, hot chocolate with squirty cream, a can of red bull, a nice glass of Sav Blanc?

FatBarry · 15/06/2018 07:00

Posted to soon, water is an essential basic hydrant hence why water fountains and coolers are in public places.

topcat2014 · 15/06/2018 07:08

Whenever I arrange meetings with visitors I always offer drinks.

We drink them and chat away, not seeing the lack of professionalism myself.

But then I presume OP is talking 'business to consumer' where other humans are viewed as a completely different kettle of fish.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 15/06/2018 07:17

Anything other than alcohol seems fine to me given you’re allowed coffee (ie not just a water bottle). I’m pleased to see there are still some decent companies to work for out there!

colditz · 15/06/2018 07:17

Coffee and tea is only unprofessional if you work with small children

Brunsdon1 · 15/06/2018 07:18

I will never understand customers who have a problem with this ...it entirely translates as
" NO you will serve me and only me and pay full personal attention....ignore your own physical needs I AM more important"

It honestly translates like that in my head :-)

AngelsOnHigh · 15/06/2018 07:19

So true FatBarry. That's why I don't have a problem with having water close by but not drinking it when actually face to face with a customer or patient.

I work in public health and we have huge signs on our entry door. THANK YOU FOR NOT BRINGING FOOD OR DRINK INTO THE SURGERY.

Totally gets ignored. Some people virtually walk in chomping on Mcdonalds, hot greasy chips, coke etc. etc. Kids spill milkshakes on the floor.

It amazes me that people can't seem to go for more that half an hour before they have to drink or eat something.

Bifflepants · 15/06/2018 07:19

Get a keep cup and a reusable straw. The world doesn't need any more single use plastic shit. And it will look more professional.

Freaklikemeee · 15/06/2018 07:31

An iced latte comes in a plastic cup with ice and a straw.

And right there is the unreasonable bit. Get a reusable cup and a reusable straw, and don't slurp the last mouthful.

Anniegetyourgun · 15/06/2018 07:33

Only your employer can answer this question. We can give opinions as to what seems reasonable, what our managers allow, what we would like to see as a customer etc, but the only viewpoint that matters is that of your workplace. Have you asked them?

Cheeselover23 · 15/06/2018 08:35

I've worked in a customer facing role for years now and I've had teas, coffees, hot chocolates (with or without squirty cream), cans of pop, and water. I've had a couple raised eyebrows if I've been sipping a coffee even though I'm not actually serving anyone. It gets too hot where I work to go even an hour without a drink, and if I try to I get very ill and have to go home. I say as long as your boss is fine with it go for it, although I would recommend putting it in a travel mug or even transferring it to a proper mug just because the raised eyebrows I've received are normally from people who've seen im drinking a coffee and not water

9amTrain · 15/06/2018 09:39

How the fuck is water totally ok but tea and coffee unprofessional?

😂😂😂😂😂

chemenger · 15/06/2018 09:46

I wouldn’t care what you drink, but get a reusable cup to drink out of and join the 21st century! Get an opaque one and nobody will know what you are drinking.

nannybeach · 18/06/2018 17:46

Anyone serving the public, be it a a help desk, customer service desk, whatever YES, I would expect their undivided attention, they are here to serve me, and not their own personal needs at that point, thats what they are being paid to do.

Scuzzlet · 18/06/2018 19:49

Tea and coffee unprofessional hahahaha oh my days. Send help.

And nannybeach I don’t think so. We’re still hans at the end of the day. Get your head out of your rectum and into the real world

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