Greggs branch bans customers who don’t follow one simple rule | UK

A Greggs branch in Croydon, South London, broke customer etiquette rules by saying it will not serve customers who refuse to remove their headphones or AirPods during service. The popular bakery chain’s bold move is an attempt to improve efficiency and communication at the counter.

A sign in the store sternly advises: “When in line, please remove your headphones/AirPods and turn off your phones, or we may have to refuse service.”

One of the employees reported the problem Sunexplaining: “We have more and more clients coming to us who seem lost in another world. We try to be helpful and serve everyone quickly during busy times, but that’s impossible if customers can’t hear a word you say. The sign is quite harsh, but we have no choice.”

While this strict stance is not company-wide policy, as confirmed by a Greggs source who said the crackdown was industry-specific, the company chose not to comment formally. Birmingham Live reports.

Adding fuel to the fire, another employee went online to voice his opinion on customer behavior, pleading: “Please people stop talking on the phone when placing an order! It’s rude to the workers because we have to wait for you to stop.”

“I’ve gotten to the point where I’ll just ask what’s required of us. I don’t care if it interrupts your call, I’m not going to wait for you to finish when there are people behind you. Stop doing this.”

Greggs declined to comment, but a company insider said yesterday that the headphone ban was not company policy.