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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think not everyone can be expected to scan QR codes?

82 replies

Realii · 01/10/2020 20:53

I’ve not wanted a smart phone for a long time, I wasted too much time on one so when it broke I got a basic phone.

Today I went out with the kids and stopped for a burger. First time in many months so i’ll admit I went in not knowing the new rules, it was an impulse treat. We sat down then were approached and asked to scan the QR code. I said I didn’t have a camera phone capable but I was happy to write my details on paper or any other way to record for track and trace.

After some back and forth and indecisiveness we were asked to leave. I was told I could get a takeaway but didn’t really fancy happy meals and rain! They were pretty aggressive in their tone about how I had to for various reasons, and ignored my polite replies I was fine with track and trace but couldn’t scan the code as my phone didn’t have the function.

It’s seemed ridiculous I could stand in a squashy area indoors waiting for food, but not sit indoors in a wide spacious empty bit too frankly- but whatever the rules surely they need accommodate people without smart phones? I can go elsewhere but they are effectively barring those on the lowest incomes. The rules are starting to feel bonkers, I can stand in a long queue indoors fine for example but no smartphone no meal?

OP posts:
SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 01/10/2020 20:57

YANBU. I wondered how this would work. It's not just those on low incomes; this kind of poor practice will disproportionately affect older people too.

WitchQueenofDarkness · 01/10/2020 20:58

There is no legal requirement to use the QR code but it's up to the establishment to say whether they insist or will allow an alternative.

Crazy that they won't allow a paper sign in. I'd have been thrown out too as my phone is too old.

Guess they don't need the trade.

SellFridges · 01/10/2020 20:59

The venue should offer an alternative by law. I’ve recently looked at this and the group I work with are offering both methods - QR code and manual recording.

FourPlasticRings · 01/10/2020 20:59

I can't scan QR codes. No McDs for me then!

Newmumatlast · 01/10/2020 21:00

It isnt compulsory to use QR and many places are decent enough to offer paper option. If this is a chain, complaining would be fair.

Asterion · 01/10/2020 21:01

Definitely YANBU.

Original poster
Realii · 01/10/2020 21:03

The pub by me has slips of paper in a box, a neighbouring borough’s library does the same and our library they type you in on a laptop on entry. I’ve looked up QR codes- you’d also need data too, that would knock out loads of my friends who have the phones but not data for them

OP posts:
Battlestaricedcoffee · 01/10/2020 21:04

My grandma wouldn't know what a qr code was! Also this is not ver accessible for people with disabilities etc. They need a paper back up.

Original poster
Realii · 01/10/2020 21:09

@SellFridges they legally have to? They were pretty stroppy about it. First I was told off, then one said ‘oh just leave her’ then I was asked to leave a few min later.

It was all in all not good, it was already awkward about the hand sanitiser and the kids. It was attached over 5ft up the wall leaning over a high wall table bit and the kids were barked at to use it... physically impossible. So they went to wash their hands which was frowned on.

At least they weren’t bothered about leaving by that point. Became happy to get out. I just left politely and quietly as it was a bit awkward and I didn’t want it to escalate

OP posts:
Louiselouie0890 · 01/10/2020 21:19

I'm a franchisee, they have to legally have both options.

Original poster
Realii · 01/10/2020 21:19

Thank you. A lesson for me I guess in reading up on stuff. I’ll know for the future, but it does make it even more annoying.

OP posts:
GingerAndTheBiscuits · 01/10/2020 21:23

The NHS app doesn’t use data allowance, it’s something they negotiated with network providers.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 01/10/2020 21:24

But yanbu. In a chain cafe a couple of weeks ago a woman behind me in the queue, maybe 60?, didn’t appear to speak English, was asked to scan the QR code more than once. She looked totally confused and then tapped the code on the sign with her hand. No alternative offered to her.

museumum · 01/10/2020 21:34

There’s another thread on here tonight that shows loads and loads of role giving fake names and numbers when that’s an option. I don’t blame proprietors who insist on the QR.

Meuniere · 01/10/2020 21:43

The problem is @museumum, it’s illegal....

StillCounting123 · 01/10/2020 21:53

I've not yet been in a place that has asked for it.

I don't bring my phone out with me everywhere, and I actually don't think it's QR suitable as it's quite old.

I can see why they have gone for QR codes, but they just aren't mainstream enough yet for a lot of people to have a baldy clue what they are for.

HeddaGarbled · 01/10/2020 21:57

If you just held any old phone in front of the blocky square thing, would anyone actually know that you’re not scanning it?

NeutralJanet · 01/10/2020 21:57

McDonald's let me give my details on paper last week when my phone camera decided to play silly buggers and wouldn't scan the QR thing.

D4rwin · 01/10/2020 22:00

I have a smart phone. The ap will not function on my phone. It's almost like they didn't do any research into it. Hmm

SirGawain · 01/10/2020 22:00

I our local McDonald's you can scan with their app or give your name and phone number. No problem at all.They are rightly very strict on mask wearing though.

Nicketynac · 01/10/2020 22:02

@HeddaGarbled in Costa they ask to see the confirmation on your phone. Haven't been asked elsewhere that I recall.

Crankley · 01/10/2020 22:04

I have no clue, what is a QR code? Do you need a smart phone to use one because I have a PAYG brick which may explain why I've never heard of it.

Itsabeautifuldayheyhey · 01/10/2020 22:12

The rules are starting to feel bonkers, I can stand in a long queue indoors fine for example but no smartphone no meal?
OP, if you stand in an indoor queue you should be wearing a mask and also be socially-distanced from others.

'No smartphone no meal' is not a Govt rule. The burger place should have accepted details on paper. This is the fault of the hospitality venue, not the Govt.

First time in many months so i’ll admit I went in not knowing the new rules
You have a responsibility to find out the rules before going out, otherwise how do you know that you are not contravening them? Irresponsible behaviour.

MojoJojo71 · 01/10/2020 22:15

I went to McDonald’s today and was told I had to scan the code and I said I didn’t have the app but would happily give them my details and she said I had to download the app. I politely declined and said I’d prefer to give my details and after a bit of huffing and puffing she decided this was ‘allowed’ so she went to get an iPad to record my details so they obviously already had a system for this she was just being arsey.