Weird experience in Pret

[Camomiletea1]

Yesterday I popped in to Pret to get lunch for myself and my toddler. Was hanging about for a couple of minutes choosing what sandwiches to get as my 2 year old was being indecisive. At this point I hadn’t acknowledged or even looked in the direction of the tills as I’m sure a lot of you know with a 2 year old, they can dash at any moment and I didn’t have the buggy with me.

Anyway, after choosing our items we walked to the till and there were 3 maybe 4 men there and only one other customer. One of the men took the items off me and said something like “I would love to serve you lovely people.” I thought that comment was a bit OTT, but I thought maybe he was just being friendly. My son had chosen a toastie so we had to wait for a couple of minutes. During that time another of the men commented that “we are so happy you are here.” One of the others then started asking how old he was and what his name was. I don’t have a problem with that per se and normally think its lovely when strangers show interest in my child, as its also good socialization for him, but honestly I just felt a bit uncomfortable at that point.

Finally, the toastie was ready so I walked me and my son off to sit downstairs. There are some tables upstairs but I wanted to go downstairs as there’s more space. As we were walking down the stairs one of them said, “of course she wants to sit downstairs.” Then I heard the others laugh. The security guard was definitely in ear shot of that comment too as he was stood right near the stairs, but didn’t say anything.

Now I left feeling really confused because I am a bit of an over thinker so not sure if that’s blurring my vision.

YABU- you’re being too sensitive
YANBU- the customer service was strange and unprofessional

Maybe they were just a bit bored. That Pret seems overstaffed.

I mean, having worked in hospitality I'd assume maybe the downstairs part was clean/empty and now they'd have to check it again for mess after you were done (not that you shouldn't have gone there, it's just one of those things - they shouldn't have said it loud enough to hear!)

The other thing I wouldn't worry about. Normally people go OTT with customer service/chatting if they've recently been told off for not being friendly enough, so it may have been that.

I think you're projecting here.

Out of interest though, what do you think they were trying to mean? What is your worry?

I have anxiety and know we're sometimes not rational, but I can't see why this bothered you.

the customer service was strange and unprofessional

this is a bit of reach? What was unprofessional about it, what are you worried about?

You also mentioned the security guard standing there not saying anything… what were you expecting him to say?

They were bored so making conversation, and a bit irritated you sat downstairs so they'd need to go down there to clear up afterwards - like a PP said. You're over thinking here, Pret is dead these days because it's over priced for what it is, so staff are a bit over enthusiastic when they actually get a customer.

Like PP, i think they were joking about the downstairs being clean.

The downstairs of those places are a pain to clean as you have to lug things up and down. They had possibly just done it.

A lot of men don't know how their voices carry and they probably didn't know you would hear.

As for being overly friendly... Maybe they had just had a meeting or training about it. Or were expecting an evaluation from head office.

I have really bad social anxiety but I try to think about logical reasons why people may do things.

I however can see why you would feel a bit on edge. I also feel wary when alone in a place with only men. You have to be a bit more guarded which doesn't help anxious thoughts.

I hadn’t considered that they might’ve been overstaffed so that would make sense @KimberleyClark

Good lord, how do some people cope with actual problems?

Didn’t know this either about it being a pain for customers going downstairs so I hear your point. Although there were more people sat downstairs than upstairs, it definitely wasn’t empty!
also get your point about them being told to be friendly, I think I just felt uncomfortable because the other customer waiting did not get these kind of comments they just seemed normal with him but different with me if that makes sense? @LittleRedRidingHoody

They were being weird, but presumably just bored or pissing about.

Don't overthink it now.

Of course YANBU - commenting about where you have chosen to sit is completely bloody unprofessional and I cannot believe that anyone would claim that it isn't. It might be understandable - as PPs have said, perhaps it will involve some minor extra work for them (although it hardly sounds like they were rushed off their feet) but they should absolutely not be saying it out loud - it's extremely rude and I think it is actually subtley agressive, given that they were a group of men and you were a lone woman with a young child. If that part of the cafe was open, then you are entitled to sit in it without attracting sarcastic comments from staff members.

I think their behaviour was very odd, so I can understand how you feel. In your shoes I'd probably avoid going back there unless absolutely necessary.

they just seemed normal with him but different with me people do treat men/women, younger/older etc etc differently.

There were 4 members of staff, one customer and a cute toddler.
They were being polite and engaging with the customer!
I'm guessing here, but based on many coffee shops, there may have been some cultural influences at play too - many cultures love children and will happily engage with them at any opportunity.
Would your rather they had just given you the card machine and not spoken at all?

I don't know how some people cope with real life these days.

Crikey - I think 'storm in a teacup' covers this.

did you have your skirt tucked in your knickers??! yes very odd but nothing surprises me since I witnessed synchronised robot barmen in Dublin.

No need to be rude, I just wanted to hear others opinions.

I’m not that type of person who complains about everything, I frequently visit coffee shops and restaurants and have never had these kind of comments so that’s why I felt it was strange. If this was the norm for me then I wouldn’t have questioned it.
@Crunchymum

Not rude, just trying to lighten the mood 🙄

lol no I looked perfectly normal definitely didn’t have my knickers one show. I was wearing jeans and a long coat anyways 😅

Sorry thought you meant me 😊

I had to read it twice, because you keep referring to men! I thought you meant random men in the shop, whereas you actually mean staff, behind the tills serving!
Maybe their manager was in ear shot, hence the overly pleasant 'I'd love to serve you today' etc. Maybe they get scores/points for each pleasantry they say?

No idea about the downstairs comment, but if you had a toddler, maybe it was an obvious place to sit where he couldn't run out the door?

I don't know about other coffee shops, but my DS worked at Pret for a while. They take customer service very seriously. They use a lot of mystery shoppers to assess each branch. If a branch does well, each staff member gets an extra £/hr pay for a month.

Was it near closing time, OP?

Or do you possibly resemble someone famous?

Maybe they failed their last mystery shopper assessment and picked you out as one. Pret is an awful, bullying organisation (I worked there in my 20s and had multiple grievances raised against their new CEO when he was just an area manager. Nice to see it never affected his career). Just feel grateful you don't have to work there.