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AIBU?

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Original poster

Dogs in Greggs

387 replies

Globules · 23/08/2023 08:29

I'm in Greggs getting my free O2 coffee. There's a dog next to the counter.

Surely dogs in open food places shouldn't be allowed?

YABU - of course all dogs can go in these places
YANBU - dogs have no place there

(Awaits the Greggs comments...🤣)

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/08/2023 10:29

ManateeFair · 23/08/2023 10:26

As far as I know, there's no law that doesn't allow dogs in places that sell food. It's up to the business to decide. I don't know what's standard for Greggs, but all their food is wrapped or behind a glass counter anyway.

Yep - they're not allowed in food preparation areas (so in kitchens or behind counters) but there's nothing stopping them being in the rest of the business if the owners want them there.

JimJonesLivesInMyHead · 23/08/2023 10:30

FrownBrown · 23/08/2023 10:11

This is always such a silly response, sorry.

It's akin to saying 'very few dogs kill humans, it's humans that are the killers'.

Yeah we know. But humans generally aren't potentially pissing or shitting on the floor of well.. any shop, cafe or restaurant. Or wiping their arse on the floor. Or shedding literal handfuls of hair/fur just sitting somewhere for a bit. Particularly as members of the public don't tend to stroke other humans but will stroke a cute dog.

And I love dogs but completely understand and acknowledge why it's not a great idea to have them in food service areas.

Which has nothing at all to do with human-based illnesses 🙄

Food hygiene legislation says no animals should be where food is prepared for very good evidence-based reasons, not because they're being mean.

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Never seen a dog piss, shit or wipe it's arse in a shop.

I have, however, sat right next to babies having soiled nappies changed in Costa and John Lewis.

But then I suppose human shit doesn't count

caramacyears · 23/08/2023 10:31

I feel like an under-represented minority in parts of Britain, but I have been attacked by a dog and I know how much of a pest they can be in the countryside, so I avoid shops, bars and cafes which allow dogs. Allowing them everywhere is a dreadful move imho

originaltastecoke · 23/08/2023 10:31

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:21

As for phobias, judging by the way some dogs are allowed to behave these days I think fearing dogs is a very rational phobia

Agreed.

EhrlicheFrau · 23/08/2023 10:33

originaltastecoke · 23/08/2023 10:31

Agreed.

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Also agreed.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:35

JimJonesLivesInMyHead · 23/08/2023 10:30

Never seen a dog piss, shit or wipe it's arse in a shop.

I have, however, sat right next to babies having soiled nappies changed in Costa and John Lewis.

But then I suppose human shit doesn't count

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I’ve seen both!

We were in a holiday park recently and enjoying a drink in the family friendly bar when the woman in the next booth changed her child’s shitty nappy 🤮 grim!!

Ive also seen a dog curl out a turd in a sandwich shop

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 23/08/2023 10:35

When l was little, we never took our dog to town. Dm used to say it was too busy for her.

bigalt · 23/08/2023 10:35

I know so many businesses that would get nowhere near the custom if they were to not allow dogs. It literally allows them to have a business, as someone else said dog walkers are out rain or shine.

Think how much tax these businesses pay to prop up the economy. Anything we can do to encourage enterprise should be supported.

I get it, there are some bad dog owners. I really think people should have to take a test or go to mandatory dog training but please don't demonise people who are trying to make a crust in such hard times

Tg2023 · 23/08/2023 10:35

All my local Greggs allow dogs 😁 and usually give them a free biscuit.

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:36

As for phobias, judging by the way some dogs are allowed to behave these days I think fearing dogs is a very rational phobia

Same goes for humans though.

And it’s the humans that ruin most dogs as well.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:36

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:36

As for phobias, judging by the way some dogs are allowed to behave these days I think fearing dogs is a very rational phobia

Same goes for humans though.

And it’s the humans that ruin most dogs as well.

I’ve never met a person with a human phobia.

LynetteScavo · 23/08/2023 10:37

Dogs are petty much ubiquitous now.

I'm just happy if there aren't pigeons in Greggs.

EhrlicheFrau · 23/08/2023 10:38

bigalt · 23/08/2023 10:35

I know so many businesses that would get nowhere near the custom if they were to not allow dogs. It literally allows them to have a business, as someone else said dog walkers are out rain or shine.

Think how much tax these businesses pay to prop up the economy. Anything we can do to encourage enterprise should be supported.

I get it, there are some bad dog owners. I really think people should have to take a test or go to mandatory dog training but please don't demonise people who are trying to make a crust in such hard times

I think there is truth in your first paragraph, however I know that some businesses also lose custom because they allow dogs - most dogs owners are fine, as are most dogs, but it just takes one bad experience with a dog/owner to put some people off returning somewhere. Yes, I know a whole host of things can put people off, but I just felt it needed to be pointed out that allowing dogs can also have downsides.

FrownBrown · 23/08/2023 10:39

JimJonesLivesInMyHead · 23/08/2023 10:30

Never seen a dog piss, shit or wipe it's arse in a shop.

I have, however, sat right next to babies having soiled nappies changed in Costa and John Lewis.

But then I suppose human shit doesn't count

Show quote history

Have a look at all the conversations on Reddit or MN or other forums from retail workers.

Or HCPs or other workers when the idea of 'emotional support dogs' became popular where trained working dogs were conflated with someone buying a 'therapeutic dog' vest on Amazon meant they felt they should take their dog everywhere as they then couldn't be challenged.

Many of those people talk about dogs pissing and shitting on floors.

The very fact that you think a human infant having bodily functions in a nappy is somehow the same in terms as a dog sitting on the floor suggests you're not really being sensible.

You seem to think humans and dogs are the same? The same rights etc?

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:40

I’ve never met a person with a human phobia.

But fearing humans is hardly irrational with how many of them behave. I know many women that fear men, with good reason for example.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:41

Or HCPs or other workers when the idea of 'emotional support dogs' became popular where trained working dogs were conflated with someone buying a 'therapeutic dog' vest on Amazon meant they felt they should take their dog everywhere as they then couldn't be challenged

YY - I have a family member with an ‘emotional support dog’ who bought the vest off Amazon. She doesn’t NEED to dog to go to the Co-op she just doesn’t like to leave her at home. Ridiculous.

bigalt · 23/08/2023 10:41

Yes I should have acknowledged that as well. No doubt some people are put off if they see dogs sat in a cafe or walking around a shop and that's understandable

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:42

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:40

I’ve never met a person with a human phobia.

But fearing humans is hardly irrational with how many of them behave. I know many women that fear men, with good reason for example.

Considering a human with a human phobia would be afraid of themselves, and would never be able to answer the door, work, go to the shops or indeed leave the house, it would be extremely irrational to be afraid of humans.

Taketurn · 23/08/2023 10:47

originaltastecoke · 23/08/2023 10:31

Agreed.

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I've been bitten by dogs twice. Both times their so called owners were present. I wouldn't go as far to say I have a phobia but I just don't like being around them.

ExtraOnions · 23/08/2023 10:47

I’ve developed an allergy to cats & dogs as I’ve got older. As a family, we had pet dogs in the 80s … they never went to a shop, cafe or anywhere else - when we went out they stayed at home. All these “nervous dogs” that can’t be left ?? Probably nervous as they have never been taught to cope alone.

WhatNowBarry · 23/08/2023 10:47

Dogs are everywhere. I agree with @IDidntbuyThefridge that it's not fair on the dogs to expect them to fit into shopping trips, sitting in cafes etc. You choose to have a dog so you fit around them, not the other way round. I saw something on the local news recently about making a cinema dog-friendly. The reporters and the lady promoting this were all "Ooo, how lovely! We can bring our dogs with us, isn't it great!" Er, no, not for everyone in the cinema just wanting to watch a film and especially not for the dog who must be thinking "wtf am I doing here?" I'm sick of it, me. Also agree with @Seagullchippy that those of us who just want to get on with necessary shopping trips, or a peaceful walk round the park or along the beach have to accommodate those who insist on dragging their dogs with them every minute of the day, smiling politely and pretending we're ok with it.

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:50

Considering a human with a human phobia would be afraid of themselves, and would never be able to answer the door, work, go to the shops or indeed leave the house, it would be extremely irrational to be afraid of humans.

And as dogs are so common, a person with a dog phobia will struggle to do those things too. An irrational fear is one where no real threat exists. Some humans are a threat, some dogs are a threat and therefore neither are irrational. As both will continue to exist, it’s would be advisable to try to get to the stage that a person can cope with the things they need to do, like leave the house, knowing you’ll encounter humans and dogs.

caramacyears · 23/08/2023 10:52

Hotels where dogs are allowed everywhere are also a bit of a no. I would prefer not to sleep in a bed or sit on a sofa which has been used by a dog. Also some people are allergic to dog hair which nobody seems to consider. Anyway it's a no from me.

OneTwoThreeShake · 23/08/2023 10:56

I had a severe phobia of dogs for most of my life. It was always on me to check whether an establishment allowed dogs, and then make my decision on whether to go there. I accepted that outdoor spaces like parks, woods, beaches etc would mean dogs being present, and I would choose not to go to someone's house if they had a dog.

If you have a child with a phobia of dogs I'd implore you to try to alleviate it because it can make life incredibly difficult. What did it for me was getting a puppy, and it changed my life.

WeetabixTowels · 23/08/2023 10:57

SomewhereWithSomeone · 23/08/2023 10:50

Considering a human with a human phobia would be afraid of themselves, and would never be able to answer the door, work, go to the shops or indeed leave the house, it would be extremely irrational to be afraid of humans.

And as dogs are so common, a person with a dog phobia will struggle to do those things too. An irrational fear is one where no real threat exists. Some humans are a threat, some dogs are a threat and therefore neither are irrational. As both will continue to exist, it’s would be advisable to try to get to the stage that a person can cope with the things they need to do, like leave the house, knowing you’ll encounter humans and dogs.

Would they?

It’s perfectly possible to go about life avoiding dogs. Granted it’s harder these days when they’re allowed EVERYWHERE but in what world would having a dog phobia mean a person can’t work?

I don’t need to converse with a dog to do my shopping, to get food, to pay bills, to report a crime etc. They’re utterly and completely incomparable