To have been so embarrassed about this?

[crybabybaby]

I work on a university campus, and I decided to try a new cafe/restaurant out for lunch. I'd been in there before a couple of years ago and remembered that there was a few different 'stations', each with a till. I'd often go to the sandwich counter and buy a sandwich and pay there.

I walked in, heading straight towards the sandwich counter but there were no sandwiches there, so I walked around the entire perimeter of the restaurant looking for the sandwiches but I couldn't find them. A member of staff then ran up to me saying I hadn't paid, and I was confused but it turns out that there was a till at the front door that I had walked past without realising, and it was a buffet kind of restaurant/cafe now where you buy a 'slot' (e.g. the lunch slot) and can eat whatever you want in the restaurant and cafe.

I felt really embarrassed and awful as she ran up to me as if I was about to steal something, I was already walking back towards the door. I have recently been diagnosed with coeliac's disease so eating out is something I already find stressful, and I wouldn't be happy paying for this kind of thing without seeing the food and that there's no chance of cross-contamination, etc. I wanted to see if there were any gluten-free sandwiches or pre-packaged food.

I ended up with a lump in my throat and almost crying, I think I was just having a hard day and it felt like the straw that broke the camel's back. I felt so humiliated and embarrassed that I had done something wrong.

I doubt you're the only one. Even if I saw the till and realised how it worked, I wouldn't want to pay for food without seeing first what was on offer; and I don't even have allergies!

Heck no. Id want to have a look at what's on offer before I part with my money. Can't see them being amenable if you pay, walk round, see nothing you'd eat and asked for your money back. That's a stupid way of doing things in my mind.

Bless you op, I struggle with depression and there are some days like this where what would be a mild moment of embarrassment for some people would be absolutely soul destroying for me and would send me down a road of shame and feeling worthless. I'm sorry today was a bad day for you and I hope you are taking some time to look after yourself and maybe reaching out for support if you need it.
This was just a misunderstanding and honestly not a big deal so please don't beat yourself up 💐

Thank you so much. I know it's silly but I think I posted on here as I just needed someone to say that I wasn't a bad person and that it was a simple misunderstanding. I'm feeling better today

Nothing embarrassing happened and you have absolutely no need to be embarrassed. This would be a non-event for most people who are having a good day/period of time, so normally when I get upset about stuff like this it's for one of two reasons - PMT (!) or I'm a bit burnt out with work/life but my emotions are noticing before my brain has!

😊

I'd have been you 100%. I've never heard of this setup, is it a new thing?

Aw it was a simple mistake. Try not to let it upset you, although I know it's playing on your mind. I bet lots of people unfamiliar with the set up have done the same.

Maybe suggest that the operators of the cafe/restaurant put a LARGE sign at the entrance stating that food/slot must be paid for before consuming the food.

Try not to worry too much about it, as it seems to me that they expected you to be a mind reader!

They need an explanation of how it works at the front of the restaurant!

It's annoying when you don't know the "routine" and why should you!

I understand sometimes we feel embarrassed unnecessarily, but you did nothing wrong. It sounds a rubbish set up! I would rather choose and pay than pay for a buffet style arrangement.