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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to eat in Wetherspoons?

617 replies

giveitarestplease · 27/10/2021 23:13

Popped out with BIL and OH today, I absolutely despise Wetherspoons but they love a bargain and aren't too fussy.

I'm not a snob in anyway shape or form I just can't stand it. I eventually went with them and sat in there and waited until they finished.

I just hate the old dirty pubs and how fast the rancid food comes out 🤢 the alcoholics that have been sat there since the moment they opened the doors on the morning.

I'd much rather go to one of our local independent cafes and have a nice lunch and I know it's not coming out of the microwave. I know it's not the same price bracket but you know what I mean.

They always laugh and joke and call me a snob and say I think I'm better than everyone else. But I'm really not and I don't think that.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
TeeBee · 28/10/2021 08:16

You're not a snob. you just have standards.

Pottedpalm · 28/10/2021 08:17

I don’t shop in Primark as, in my opinion, the clothes look cheap and poorly made, and shopping there is an unpleasant experience. I feel the same about Weatherspoons.
In my experience it is not full of happy people enjoying a sociable, freshly made meal. The one nearest me is dark and dingy and populated by miserable looking men.

Blinky21 · 28/10/2021 08:22

They are gross. I would never go there because of Tim Martin being an exploitative twat, much better to support a local business

SamMil · 28/10/2021 08:23

The Wetherspoons round here are usually in reasonably interesting, older buildings and the food is quite good (not Michelin star, but better than a ready meal!).

They are also full of people (and families) eating meals and as clean as any other pub.

I think it must definitely depend on the area, if yours is rancid food and full of drunks.

MrsJamesBondi · 28/10/2021 08:28

I wouldn’t eat In Wetherspoons either, haven’t RTWT!

Remember the Shock at the Tesco feed your family three courses for a fiver???

There’s a reason food is cheap, poor quality and poor pay for their workers.

EvenRosesHaveThorns · 28/10/2021 08:30

I doubt cafe food is as fresh and wholesome as you believe

dottiedodah · 28/10/2021 08:30

It's not my favourite by a long way. However I think if dh /bil are enjoying it then maybe have a snack .apart from anything else you must be hungry surely.we do go there occasionally. Food is hygienic and many old inn hotel places are now spoons .my dp couldn't have cared less where I ate as long as it was clean. Cheap and cheerful is the phrase here i think!

Whatiswrongwithmyknee · 28/10/2021 08:30

I don’t understand how wanting to eat good food somewhere clean with a pleasant atmosphere makes someone a snob.

It doesn't. The way of expressing that which puts others down is what makes it snobbery. The assumption that your view of a pleasant atmosphere is superior to other's views on that is snobbery.

Lovemusic33 · 28/10/2021 08:30

I’m not a fan of spoons either but find it’s better during the day (week days) than evenings, I hate the sticky tables and the looooong walk to the loo but it’s cheap, I try and pick something of the menu that’s likely to be less of a food poisoning risk 🤣

ISaidDontLickTheBin · 28/10/2021 08:31

Nothing wrong with hating Wetherspoons. Bit snobby to start a thread just to tell us you aren't snobby about it!.

ifonly4 · 28/10/2021 08:31

I guess if you don't like what you see/get, don't go. I have to say the Wetherspoons in our town is pretty good. One of the most covid secure settings in the day around here, screens/barriers/distancing between all tables, screens at bar, doors open for fresh air and to limit touching inside. I was in their last week, tables were cleaned with spray between customers and a member of staff was screen cleaning other public areas. I could hear the two men at the table next to me having a business meeting and lots of ladies meet up for a chat with their friends in the morning, families/friends at lunchtime.

FluffyBooBoo · 28/10/2021 08:34

@CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark

Agree with you completely. If you’re being called a snob, it’s likely because you’ve insulted someone that is fond of them. Grin Awful places.
Ah, nothing to do with calling the food rancid and saying her parents would look down on her for being in one ... All to do with people (including those, like me, that have other reasons not to go to them) being somehow insulted. Despite the fact that op hasn't insulted anyone? Yeah, that'll be it.
longwayoff · 28/10/2021 08:35

Mr Wetherspoon isn't getting one penny of my money. Awful man. Wouldn't set foot in one of his establishments.

Stillgoings · 28/10/2021 08:37

I quite like the pizza with a large wine and ordering by the app - and being able to eat out extremely cheaply and quickly - both great selling points with kids. Often used to have a pudding and a coffee too because it is so cheap. But, i agree, ours is also dark, cold,slightly sticky and full of undesirables 😁. Haven't been since the pandemic and haven't missed it but do think you were a bit OTT there OP!

trumpisagit · 28/10/2021 08:41

15 years ago I was really pleased a New Wetherspoons was opening near my workplace.
This was in a small tourist/university city.
I went for morning coffee with my colleagues once, but the number of smelly men having their 3rd pint by 10 am really took the edge off.
I think they are better in the evening.

CounsellorTroi · 28/10/2021 08:43

Resolved never to darken the doors of Wetherspoons again because of Tim thingy but never thought there was anything wrong with the food or ambience.

Hoppinggreen · 28/10/2021 08:45

I won’t go there.
Firstly the food is rank
Secondly the clientele (at least in the one in our town) are “interesting”
Thirdly I won’t give my money to the Dickhead owner

I wouldn’t set foot in the place, if your family want to go then arrange to meet them an hour later, it’s not snobby to want to eat half decent food

RobinRedbreasts · 28/10/2021 08:47

Wetherspoons: if it's busy you can't hear yourself think, if it's not then all you can smell is the spilt beer and vinegar soaked menus. I wouldn't bother either tbh.

Tulipomania · 28/10/2021 08:48

I agree with you OP.

Would much rather support an independent local business.

Also the Wetherspoons boss pro-Brexit stance and lack of care over Covid in the early days means I could not support his business.

doadeer · 28/10/2021 08:49

I never find them dirty but I wouldn't want to go for lunch there.

The owner is such a prick they are on my Boycott list

Pyewackect · 28/10/2021 08:52

You're a snob

starfishmummy · 28/10/2021 08:53

@SatsumaPumpkinFace

I just hate the old dirty pubs and how fast the rancid food comes out 🤢 the alcoholics that have been sat there since the moment they opened the doors on the morning.

Where the hell did you go? All the Wetherspoons I've been to are not like this, or are you exaggerating a tad to get your point across?

Theres one in my city where I have seen people sitting quaffing pints at 9am as I walked past. I have no idea if they are alcoholics who have been sitting there since opening time but surely most people don't start drinking that early?
bibliomania · 28/10/2021 08:54

I agree with those who dislike the owner, but I haven't gone as far as a boycott. Some are in nice historical buildings, so it's nice to see inside. And if you're hungry and on a tight budget, you could do worse.

Blurryeyedbeast · 28/10/2021 08:55

IME, a lot of the smelly men in my nearest one are night workers having a pint after work, rather than alcoholics who can't wait for their fix.
Also I love the booths most of them have! Nice and cosy. Of course I'd rather be in a traditional old country pub with a roaring fire, but they're hard to come by.
Brexit issues aside, I don't think he treatd his staff as badly as the media would have folk believe either.

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 28/10/2021 08:57

I just hate …. how fast the rancid food comes out

OP, if you’ve had rancid food in a Wetherspoon’s, I’m not surprised you don’t want to eat there. One bad meal puts me off a place too, though I might give it a second chance if it was an otherwise nice little independent. And the speed is relevant too. I’d rather have something freshly cooked unless I’m in a terrible hurry.