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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want to download a bloody app to order a drink in the pub or wait for waiter sevice

216 replies

Hilsea · 17/09/2021 22:57

Grr

So this afternoon I had 2 hours to spare before picking up daughter and so I thought I would go to the pub to sit outside, relax and take in the sun. I havent been to many pubs over the past two years owing to lockdowns etc so I was pleased to have this opportunity

First pub I went to (traditional pub, part of chain, classy (not spoons!)) I went in to the bar and was told rudely - 'its only table service now - take a seat and we will come and take your order'. So I went outside and sat down in sight of the door expecting a server to come shortly. One passed by twice and I tried to catch her eye, neither time did she make eye contact or seemed to want to take my order - I waited 10 minutes before leaving.

Pub number two (again part of chain, classy, good range of wines) I went in and was stopped from ordering being told that I needed to download the app and order that way and basically to get out of the bar. So I walked straught out of the door - I cant be bothered to download an app

Third pub (individual, but I found out later actually part of chain, classy) I walked into, ordered drink at bar, paid and walked outside to table where I was able to drink it. Hoorah -

Why cant pubs just get back to normal and offer the service that customers actually want? The value of a pub is going to the bar and seeing the range of drinks available and then making a choice and making a swift transaction. If I want table service I will go to a bar or cafe, I go to a pub for the minimum of hassle of obtaining the drink.

AIBU to expect this? Will things ever get back to normal?

There; rant over!

OP posts:

CoronaPeroni · 18/09/2021 08:58

@Kitkat151

I love table service and apps...no more queuing at the bar...I don’t mind a wait if I’m sitting down....long may it last

Completely agree, makes the occasion so much more pleasant.

Booknooks · 18/09/2021 09:01

I love it, I don't go to the pub to make awkward conversation with people I've never met at the bar, whilst invariably others are served quickly and others aren't, you have to shout your order over the music or general noise, and then balance them back to your table. Apps are great, not fussed on table service as sometimes you're left waiting ages and then oh sorry didn't notice you slip in or whatever.

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:04

The less time spent queuing at the bar and trying to summon waiting staff for ordering/the bill then the more time to spend with the people you've gone out to socialise with.
You can settle in and relax.

Do Nando's do it? I went there a couple of years ago and I was up and down the whole meal, never returned.

Didyousaynutella · 18/09/2021 09:12

I don’t mind table service so much but can’t stand the apps. Especially in restaurants. It. takes all the fun out of eating out.

You spend the first ten minutes looking at your phone stressing out about ordering it right. The whole point of eating out is to be sociable and put the phone away. I usually refuse to do it, as son has an allergy and want to speak to an actual person so there is always the option. People have to vote with their feet. The more people that refuse to use the apps the more they will have to go back to actual people.
Perhaps people will go to more independant, for instance it is like this in nandos. Everyone had their head down in their phones. Was so sad.

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:16

for instance it is like this in nandos

So no ordering from App at Nandos? I'd go there if there was, also all the up and down for ordering/drinks/sauces is rubbish.

NuffSaidSam · 18/09/2021 09:19

'I don’t really want to be staring at a screen to order food in a restaurant if I go out. The is the whole point of going out is to be social and what are you really paying for without the interaction? Just the food - I can make that myself so why bother going out?'

Are you actually saying that you go out to a restaurant solely to interact with the waiter when they come to take your order?

That's one of the saddest things I've ever heard. And I am sorry that the new app system means you've lost that little bit of social interaction you enjoyed. I hope you can find a way to replace it now that things are opening up again.

NuffSaidSam · 18/09/2021 09:20

'Do Nando's do it? I went there a couple of years ago and I was up and down the whole meal, never returned'

Nandos do app ordering and bring the food, but you still have to get up to get your own drinks/sauces.

They will take an order at the counter for people who don't have smartphones/can't use the app etc.

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:21

How is 'staring at a screen' to place your order any different from 'staring' at a menu. You are just looking at the menu and ordering at the same time on your phone.
Once ordered you can put your phone away. Easy.

DumplingsAndStew · 18/09/2021 09:22

@shouldistop

It completely excludes some disabled and elderly customers. My bil wouldn't be able to download and use a new app without a lot of help and practices. My mums phone doesn't have the capacity for new apps. My phones fine and I can manage apps etc, I just don't bloody want to! So I agree with you op.

But can you see that also having to potentially queue for a while at a busy bar can also exclude some elderly or disabled customers?

Hopefully bars will keep both options.

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:23

@NuffSaidSam

'Do Nando's do it? I went there a couple of years ago and I was up and down the whole meal, never returned'

Nandos do app ordering and bring the food, but you still have to get up to get your own drinks/sauces.

They will take an order at the counter for people who don't have smartphones/can't use the app etc.

Thanks, I'll give it a miss then., and leave it to the young people who don't seem to mind the constant getting up and down. Felt like I was working there when i went.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 18/09/2021 09:23

Love the apps - I’m a short middle aged woman so right at the back of the pecking order when it comes to getting served at the bar. Amazing how invisible I am now to bar staff. With an app I don’t have to stand at a bar surrounded by men and younger women all of whom get served before me, I can just order what I want & it arrives.

I do get that it’s not for everyone though

C8H10N4O2 · 18/09/2021 09:24

I much prefer table service to fighting through to a bar.

Longing to hear the new OP's definition of "classy" as applied to pubs. Sounds like a marketing definition.

jamie85 · 18/09/2021 09:25

As a 'typical' bloke, I enjoy meeting new random people at the bar, hearing their opinion of the beers on offer, and any other local topics.
If I go for meal with wife or friend then table service is better. But many pubs did order at bar, table service before Apps were developed.

Can we not have both?

znaika · 18/09/2021 09:28

It takes longer if you have to download it if you don't go to the same 3 places all the time. If you're foreign the apps frequently ask you for info you don't have e.g. postcode. They want to send you notifications on your phone but refuse foreign phone nos.

Actually Germany is the worst place for this. Can find yourself on a business trip completely fucked over and blocked from entering any systems as you have foreign unacceptable data, so no coffee for you.
If you are Russian or from any other "undesirable'' nation you can be blocked justt from having a Russian email account.

Nowmum43 · 18/09/2021 09:28

We went to CP and had to order a meal and drinks for 10 of us via the website! It was stressful and hard work and to me not what going out for a meal is about!

Amithatbad1 · 18/09/2021 09:29

Yep, on the whole I love it!
Not queuing at a bar for ages, being able to see what drinks they have while I'm sat at my table, rather than trying to peer at the back of the bar conscious that's there's a queue of people waiting to be served behind me.
If I'm by myself, I don't have to worry that by the the time I've got back from the bar someone else has sat at my table!
The only issue I have is with some places you can only order a dash when I like a large amount of mixer so end up ordering my spirit then half a pint of mixer and adding it myself!

DumplingsAndStew · 18/09/2021 09:29

Why do some people think that ordering on an app means sitting with your face attached to a phone for the entirety of a meal and ignoring those you are dining with?

You look at the menu on the app, (usually more inclusive BTW as those with impaired vision can adjust settings in a way you can't with a paper menu), you order, you put phone away.

You interact with your dining party, and you can greet, say hello to the staff when they bring your order.

How is that antisocial?

NuffSaidSam · 18/09/2021 09:31

'Thanks, I'll give it a miss then., and leave it to the young people who don't seem to mind the constant getting up and down. Felt like I was working there when i went.'

The key is to take a child with you. They get some work experience and you can actually sit and eat without having to get up every five minutes. 😁

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:31

I think if you want to chat at length with the bar staff/meet new people/talk about local topics and beers then choose a proper drinking pub, not hold the queue up at one that's trying to get food out to people too.

RampantIvy · 18/09/2021 09:31

I'm happy to order on the app or in person, but it doesn't allow for any flexibility when ordering. For example someone might want a pizza with no cheese, and this would have to be done face to face.

DumplingsAndStew · 18/09/2021 09:33

@RampantIvy

To be fair, anyone who orders a pizza without cheese doesn't deserve to be out in public

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:33

@NuffSaidSam

'Thanks, I'll give it a miss then., and leave it to the young people who don't seem to mind the constant getting up and down. Felt like I was working there when i went.'

The key is to take a child with you. They get some work experience and you can actually sit and eat without having to get up every five minutes. 😁

I have a 19 year old so he can do it.

Nando's is not a relaxing experience in any way.

Although I was recently introduced to Five Guys where you can have bottomless refills of pop too and be bankrupted just buying chips.

Sparklingbrook · 18/09/2021 09:34

@RampantIvy

I'm happy to order on the app or in person, but it doesn't allow for any flexibility when ordering. For example someone might want a pizza with no cheese, and this would have to be done face to face.

A pizza with no cheese? I think they should be escorted from the premises pronto.

NuffSaidSam · 18/09/2021 09:35

'For example someone might want a pizza with no cheese, and this would have to be done face to face.'

Depends on the place/app. Some apps are better than others, but it's something that can hopefully be easily improved as we get more to grips with the system.

RampantIvy · 18/09/2021 09:36

[quote DumplingsAndStew]@RampantIvy

To be fair, anyone who orders a pizza without cheese doesn't deserve to be out in public [/quote]

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