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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not have unlocked the door for her?

66 replies

thiswaytothemoon · 23/05/2021 12:02

I had a facial booked and the clinic is always very quiet on a Sunday and only one member of staff there.

The member of staff was downstairs with another client and I was alone upstairs and the entrance was locked. When another woman started knocking on the door to be let in.

I felt very awkward because the door was obviously locked for a security reason and it’s not my business I’m risking by opening it so it shouldn’t be my decision.

I did eventually open the door and the woman was clearly annoyed I’d made her wait.

OP posts:
PricklesAndSpikes · 23/05/2021 13:08

I see that, perhaps I was a bit abrasive, but I don’t think it’s op’s problem to solve.

Totally agree, not OP's problem at all, I just (sorry! Wink) thought if she knew what the staff member would have wanted her to do, she wouldn't need to worry about feeling awkward if it happened again.

UhtredRagnarson · 23/05/2021 13:08

What did she want in for? If you were still waiting for your appointment and this woman was arriving for hers was the therapist running very late?? Or was the woman in to enquire or buy something?

QuestionEverythingOrBeASheep · 23/05/2021 13:09

@thiswaytothemoon

I had a facial booked and the clinic is always very quiet on a Sunday and only one member of staff there.

The member of staff was downstairs with another client and I was alone upstairs and the entrance was locked. When another woman started knocking on the door to be let in.

I felt very awkward because the door was obviously locked for a security reason and it’s not my business I’m risking by opening it so it shouldn’t be my decision.

I did eventually open the door and the woman was clearly annoyed I’d made her wait.

No you shouldn't have opened the door, it's not your responsibility to do this, regardless. You could have called downstairs 'there's someone at the door' but that's it.
mainsfed · 23/05/2021 13:09

@PricklesAndSpikes

I see that, perhaps I was a bit abrasive, but I don’t think it’s op’s problem to solve.

Totally agree, not OP's problem at all, I just (sorry! Wink) thought if she knew what the staff member would have wanted her to do, she wouldn't need to worry about feeling awkward if it happened again.

Understood! Smile
Original poster
thiswaytothemoon · 23/05/2021 13:09

@purpleme12

Ok. I still think it's strange that you opened the door in this situation But anyway it's done now so just forget about it
So what would you have done?

You’re sat in a chair by the large window at the front and can clearly be seen. Someone tries the door, it’s locked and so they start knocking whilst staring straight at you.

Do you sit there and ignore even though you’re in each other’s line of vision or do you go to the door and explain your reason for not opening the door.

OP posts:
Original poster
thiswaytothemoon · 23/05/2021 13:11

No you shouldn't have opened the door, it's not your responsibility to do this, regardless. You could have called downstairs 'there's someone at the door' but that's it.

I’m not going to interrupt someone’s treatment or start shouting down stairs. Confused

OP posts:
shouldistop · 23/05/2021 13:11

I wonder why they keep it locked...is there a lot of pricey stock around? Seems a funny thing to do and almost not worth opening on a Sunday if they can't staff it properly.

I think it's pretty sensible of presumably a woman working on her own to keep the door locked

UhtredRagnarson · 23/05/2021 13:12

OP I’d have shouted through the door, “sorry, I can’t let you in, you need to ring the therapist”

takemetothelakes · 23/05/2021 13:21

At my hairdressers and beautician we have to wait outside until we're let in. We're not allowed to sit in the waiting room so I wouldn't have let her in. I might have gestured for her to call the business number.

Whythesadface · 23/05/2021 13:23

You shouldn't have opened the door.
That could have been anyone.
The door was locked for a reason.
Next time I'd write on my phone, sorry the owner is busy, can you call her as I don't feel I should open the locked door. Show the person through the window.
Or ask the owner to print it and put it on the door so you can point.

CharityDingle · 23/05/2021 13:25

Do you sit there and ignore even though you’re in each other’s line of vision or do you go to the door and explain your reason for not opening the door.

Yes, I would ignore. As a customer, I wouldn't have a clue whether this person should be let in, or not. If the business owner asked me to kindly let her in, then I would. Otherwise, no.

UhtredRagnarson · 23/05/2021 13:31

Next time I'd write on my phone, sorry the owner is busy, can you call her as I don't feel I should open the locked door. Show the person through the window.

Confused Or just say it? It won’t be a soundproof door! Grin

CupoTeap · 23/05/2021 13:34

My place does this currently to prevent people coming at and going over capacity- but they do have a son on the door

LaBellina · 23/05/2021 13:34

I would be annoyed with the clinic that they’d made it my problem to open or not open THEIR door to a perfect stranger.

Covid times or not, it’s not professional to put your clients in that position and I would have expected them to apologize for this.

Cadent · 23/05/2021 13:35

So what would you have done?

You’re sat in a chair by the large window at the front and can clearly be seen. Someone tries the door, it’s locked and so they start knocking whilst staring straight at you.

Do you sit there and ignore even though you’re in each other’s line of vision or do you go to the door and explain your reason for not opening the door.

I’d like to think I would ignore, perhaps I’d have given a wry shrug to indicate uncertainty.

katy1213 · 23/05/2021 13:35

I'd go somewhere more relaxing for my facials.

Original poster
thiswaytothemoon · 23/05/2021 13:39

@Whythesadface

You shouldn't have opened the door. That could have been anyone. The door was locked for a reason. Next time I'd write on my phone, sorry the owner is busy, can you call her as I don't feel I should open the locked door. Show the person through the window. Or ask the owner to print it and put it on the door so you can point.
Sorry this made me laugh out loud.

You want me to write a message on my phone, then silently walk up to the door, hold the phone up and then silently walk back away?

Also you’d like me to say - hi lady, not sure if you’re the owner or not but can you print a sign so I can again silently point to it. I know I only come once every 3-4 months but this would help.

Should I have gone downstairs, wrote a message on my phone asking her to make such a sign by pushing my phone under the door whilst she’s in the middle of a treatment. Then waited for her to type it up, print and then laminate it. For me to walk back to the door, sombrely pointing at it.

OP posts:
Original poster
thiswaytothemoon · 23/05/2021 13:42

@katy1213

I'd go somewhere more relaxing for my facials.
Yeah maybe but it’s currently the only place in the UK that does this type of facial. So if I want to continue I don’t really have much choice.
OP posts:
Newmumma2020 · 23/05/2021 13:48

Steering slightly off topic but I’m intrigued what type of facial it was Grin?

UhtredRagnarson · 23/05/2021 13:50

@Newmumma2020

Steering slightly off topic but I’m intrigued what type of facial it was Grin?
Grin

Is it in Hull? Was your therapist call Brian? Was the facial not on your face?

chesirecat99 · 23/05/2021 13:52

I’ve been to the clinic a few times now and it’s always been locked so I just call the woman’s mobile and she lets me in.

In that case, I would have called the owner on behalf of the person outside.

BelleBlueBell · 23/05/2021 13:54

It can't be that great a facial if only one place does it or there's a massive business opportunity out there

What kind of treatment is it?

viques · 23/05/2021 13:54

@Newmumma2020

Steering slightly off topic but I’m intrigued what type of facial it was Grin?
Me too.

Blush - this is me after a Mumsnet special facial, I am glowing!

peboh · 23/05/2021 13:55

I wouldn't have opened it. You didn't know who the woman was, if someone could have followed in behind her etc. They obviously keep the doors locked for a reason, and she could have phoned as you do for a member of staff to allow her in.

melj1213 · 23/05/2021 14:12

Surely, if there was only one staff member, then the woman was insanely early for her appointment if she arrived during the appointment two people ahead of her (assuming her appointment was after the OPs who was already waiting)?

If I was the staff member I would have a very clear policy that you must wait outside until your appointment time (because I would be pissed if I was having a treatment and the therapist was disappearing to answer the door etc during my time)

OP you should not have opened the door, you should have ignored her - it is not up to you to let anyone into the premises, the door was locked for a reason. If you needed to do anything I would have gone to the door and told the woman that the staff member was busy but would be out in X minutes (for the start of the OPs appointment) so she should come back then.