Waterstones and mask-wearing

[VanGoSunflowers]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57832560

How many businesses do you think will follow suit?
And why is the cynic in me thinking that many businesses will look at their key demographic and either take a stance on mask wearing (or not in some cases) based on how likely their clientele are to want mask-wearing to continue?

Are they really wanting to keep everyone safe or do they just want your money…

Oh well, there's always Amazon if the High Street continues to make itself an unpleasant, inconvenient way to shop.

I spend far more on an enjoyable browsing and impulse spree though.

My work is continuing with distancing and masks, and allowing CEV to WFH still

I think it's great that some place encourage mask wearing. I will definitely find it safer to shop in the store where they encourage mask wearing.
I hope people do wear masks when entering the shop that encourages mask wearing, since there are other shops who don't. So at least people who do worry because they are vulnerable etc at least have a choice to be exposed to less risks.

It says they will encourage mask wearing they won’t enforce it.

They will not turn away any customer not wearing one as they need the money.

It’s up to the individual from now on if they want to continue to wear a mask or not.

Would it have an impact?
The government are "encouraging" masks indoors and in crowded places but it's no longer law

A lot of people seemed to ignore it when it was mandatory (or seemed not to understand that wearing a mask under your chin or hanging from your ear is essentially the same as not wearing one) so I imagine the same, and more will ignore "encouragement" and a certain percentage will continue to wear masks...

It can be encouraged all it wants. Mines in the bin on Monday.

It’s the staff working in stores where people will no longer be wearing masks I feel sorry for. Some of the younger staff won’t of had a vaccine yet. Fingers crossed most people still wear one.

It means jackshit, it’s just posturing. As a PP said, more people as of Monday won’t wear them than those who will. I’m ditching my mask on Sunday.

@Noseylittlemoo that’s a lovely post x

London Transport are saying masks are a condition of carriage, various mayors are saying same for the transport services they have control over.

This from Jorvik Viking centre:

The Jorvik Viking Centre in York is also asking members of the public to continue wearing masks and to social distance after July 19.

Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions at the Jorvik, said: "We are incredibly proud of being an inclusive attraction, and as such, we want visitors who might worry about the lifting of restrictions - including the Immuno-suppressed, vulnerable people and those who have not yet been vaccinated - to feel safe when visiting.

"It also provides a degree of reassurance for our staff, who come face-to-face with thousands of visitors each day, that we are doing all we can to keep them safe, whilst still offering our experiences to local people and tourists alike."

Good for Waterstones. I hope most shops follow as I shall only shop in those that strongly encourage mask wearing.

It’s a bit of a pointless policy when they have specifically stated that their staff won’t enforce it. I totally get this, expecting staff to enforce it is unfair given the grief they’ll get, but all they’ve basically said is the same as the government guidelines. I’m not really sure why it’s news.

I’m happy to wear masks where businesses say so.
However, if WS open their cafes up to full capacity and get back to book readings and signings, then it’s all a bit of a gesture.

I’m just sad that people care so little for vulnerable and unvaccinated people that they won’t carry on wearing a mask which is a small inconvenience. I can almost guarantee that it was these same people who were screeching about schools being closed and the effect that has on vulnerable children when all they really cared about was getting rid of their entitled little brat for 6 hours a day. I am honestly ashamed to be British after all the selfish twattery over masks.

@AntiMaskersAreTwats I’m glad you are saying it like it is! Sadly I agree.

A lot of things are being weaponised for selfish entitlement. Have to say tho - I only see it here - not so much IRL.

Well I’ll be embracing my selfish side on Monday and ditching the mask. If Waterstone’s want my custom they’ll have to live with it.

If supermarkets insist on masks I will, reluctantly, have to comply as I prefer to shop in store. The other shops I will walk out of, if they ask me to wear one, and they will lose my money as I'll just order online. I'm not wearing a mask one minute longer than I have to.

Also just back from the gym, where they’re as good as gone already.

Wow a business that considers their key demographic when making decisions, shocking. Its almost as though their aim is to take money.

Can’t see the vulnerable and unvaccinated hanging around in a Waterstones if they’re not putting fixed numbers on customers (many of which are kids -invaxxed and in school and rarely in masks), opening up their cafes at capacity and returning to book readings and signings.

I work in a high street shop. We've got no idea how people are living their lives, if they've been vaccinated, and we'd all prefer it the majority of customers continue wearing masks. Waiting for guidance from management, but we were asked to wear masks (Only taking them off briefly if we were eating/drinking) before government guidance. If we're on our break and stop eating for a chat, masks go on. They're not pleasant, but it's the only way we can protect eachother - we have a fair amount of vulnerable customers and also those coming in for flu/cold remedies.

@Noterook

Wow a business that considers their key demographic when making decisions, shocking. Its almost as though their aim is to take money.

Which demographic is that?

@quizqueen - well that ok, because they will certainly have my custom. I would have walked out if they were full of unmasked people. And I think this is how the majority feel.

I'll be continuing to wear a mask in indoor spaces regardless of what individual shops guidance is but I imagine I might feel happier for longer in one's with more masked people.

@TempsPerdu

I think Suffle’s probably right. Unfortunately I’m clearly not typical within Waterstone’s customer demographic as I hate masks and this policy will definitely put me off visiting to browse/buy. Shame as it’s something I’d been looking forward to for ages, but the masks sap any traces of joy from the experience.

I have spent thousands of pounds at Waterstones over many, many years. I will not be spending a single pound more if anyone there applies face-mask pressure on me, even in a guilt-tripping sort of way.

I will go to a bookshop that doesn't inflict this on customers instead.