Woman in cafe not social distancing

[Cafegoer]

Today I took DS to Muffin Break in a near by shopping centre.

As we were eating a woman came and stood right by our chairs to pay DS a compliment - the woman wasn’t wearing a mask and neither were we because we were eating. It made me feel uncomfortable as DS had been shielding and we should all be social distancing, she was talking over our food which wasn’t pleasant. DS asked the woman who she was and why she was talking to him (he has ASD and can be very straightforward). The woman said she was staff and being friendly. The woman then moved over to another table and spoke to a man with a baby, prior to talking to us the woman stood right next to another family to speak to them but they quickly shooed her away.

The woman wasn’t in a uniform and was there with three other people having lunch. She seems to be there very frequently (most of the time I walk by), never in uniform and does often tidy up tables and spend time with the staff.

AIBU to think that if she is staff (which I highly doubt) she needs further training in keeping her distance during the pandemic. If she isn’t staff then the staff have a duty to ensure customers are behaving safely.

That was probably the owner or manager, they don’t wear uniforms. And she could have invisible disability and exempt from mask wearing.

If you were uncomfortable, you could have politely asked her to give a bit more distance.

Also, in most U.K. cafes (all except Wales), the distancing is 1m, not 2m so she may have been following it and you just automatically thinking it was 2ms.

“What is social distancing and who is exempt?
The original rule across the UK was that you had to stay 2m (6ft) away from anybody outside of your household.
Those rules have now been relaxed in England and Northern Ireland.
You should still ideally stay 2m (6ft) apart. If that's not possible, you can stay 1m (3ft) plus apart in England - and 1m apart in Northern Ireland - with extra precautions such as face coverings and not sitting face-to-face.
In Scotland the exemptions to the 2m rule only apply in some premises like pubs and restaurants - and face coverings are compulsory in shops. Also, children aged 11 or under no longer have to socially distance with others outside.
In Wales, while the 2m rule remains, the guidance has changed to reflect the fact it is not realistic to stay that far apart in somewhere like a hairdresser's. Social distancing does not have to be observed by children aged under 11 in Wales.”

@Laaalaaaa

If you’re that concerned, avoid places like that. Not everybody is going to social distance to your exacting standards.

People,shouldn’t have to avoid places. People should follow the guidance and socially distance. I’m sure the OP would have been fine if the woman ad socially distanced. It’s hardly exacting standards.

"People,shouldn’t have to avoid places."

But they do if they don't like the way others behave. We can ask people to move, but we can't prevent them doing something we believe they shouldn't.

I suppose you could take hamstersarse's advice.

I'm sorry this happened to you, op. We've also been shielding a child and have been encouraged (by our medical team) to leave the house more and start doing things in recent weeks - but keeping to a distance of 2 metres. Unfortunately, other people make this very hard to do! Shielding children and their families have missed out a lot over the last few months, and it's sad that so much is still out of our reach.

There is a cafe franchise called Muffin Break?

People use these abominations?

Why?

@ILikeGlitter slide and report.

If you're that vulnerable, you need to stay at home; its unbelievably entitled to expect the whole world to revolve around such a small minority.

Social distancing is only 'advisory' anyway - there is no legal framework with which to enforce it.

Social distancing should become a legal requirement. I don't care so much about covid, it would be blissful if people could finally give you space and stop crowding you

OP, some people have always been equally rude and stupid, sadly that won't change anytime soon!

Morrisons employ a lot of people who have learning difficulties and other disabilities which could be why she was a little, overly friendly.

She might be there doing work experience or. Something, it honestly wouldn't surprise me. Most the trolley staff and canteen workers in ours have special needs. A couple work on the tills too.

It may only be advisory rather than a legal requirement but when the evidence apparantly shows it’s the most effective measure it’s really rude of people to not abide by it. If people can’t manage social distancing they’re the ones who should stay at home.

What did she say when you challenged her and asked her to step back?

Well you obviously think you are not being unreasonable.
I really don't understand these posts. If you didn't say anything at the time what is the point of complaining here? We can't go to the muffin shop and complain on your behalf. Plus, I don't think anyone is shielding anymore so that's irrelevant.

@hamstersarse

I think you should have shot her really

No way! Hang, draw and quarter, in public!

If you're shielding, why on earth are you in a muffin cafe?

@WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo

Morrisons employ a lot of people who have learning difficulties and other disabilities which could be why she was a little, overly friendly.

She might be there doing work experience or. Something, it honestly wouldn't surprise me. Most the trolley staff and canteen workers in ours have special needs. A couple work on the tills too.

Wtf!! So someone who can’t social distance must obviously have an LD?? Did I just read that right?! Fucking hell

"don't know why people find it funny that I get dizzy on escalators and can potentially fall and kill myself."

I don't know why you'd add in the extra complication of carrying a 3 year old if this is the case. Fan of extreme sports?

I'm going to make muffins tonight.

She sounds like she potentially has learning difficulties, be kind.

I'm shielding too.

From Covid hysterics.

Leave the bastard

Nowhere does it say they must obviously have a learning difficulty @TeddyIsaHe, no you clearly did not read that right.

@LizaBennett70

I'm shielding too.

From Covid hysterics.

Fuck yeah!

I once saw someone fall over on an escalator, her hair got stuck down the side and she was pulled up by it and scalped, horrific but what does it have to do with this thread??

@cdtaylornats

There is a cafe franchise called Muffin Break?

People use these abominations?

Why?

My thoughts exactly. Hideous name

I’m currently on holiday in the UK at a seaside resort. The streets are packed, & no one is social distancing. It would be pretty difficult to do, tbh.

I spent a lot of time complaining to DH in the early Covid days about others not social distancing/breaking the rules. I was stressing myself out, until I accepted that I can’t change what others do, only my reaction to it.

I’ve been much calmer since, & even broken a couple of rules myself (I’m such a rebel 😂)