A Greggs worker has shared a "new pet peeve" that has been "unlocked" by irritating customers, and it has sparked conversation among other staff members. Working in customer service can be challenging, and regularly dealing with the public is not for the faint-hearted.
Some customers can be rude and entitled, while others relish the opportunity to belittle people simply doing their jobs. Some can be volatile and quick to complain. One Greggs worker has lifted the lid on the habits they find most taxing.
Greggs is a staple on the British high street, popular with people of all ages thanks to an extensive menu made up of beloved favourites like the timeless sausage roll, steak bake, and cheese and onion pasty, as well as sweet treats like biscuits and doughnuts. The menu also includes the hit vegan sausage roll, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and more.
The popular bakery boasts a loyal customer base, and it is estimated that it sells around 2.5 million sausage rolls in the UK every week, which works out at around 140 million per year. Taking to Reddit, one staff member was keen to share the reality of life behind the counter instead of lining up in front of it.
In a post titled "New pet peeve unlocked; customers telling me how to do my job," they sarcastically wrote: "'Did you use the correct tongs to pick up my vegan roll? You used the yellow ones but I'm pretty sure they are for vegetables.'"
They continued: "Also; I'm trying to put together a customer's large order that's like 10 steak bakes and 40 sausage rolls and they're constantly asking me why I haven't prepared their cup of tea yet."
"Also also; tell them the total price of their sausage roll and latte; '£3.40? Is that including the latte?' Oh no sorry I forgot to charge you for the latte because as we all know a single sausage roll costs £3.40."
In the comments section, fellow Greggs workers were keen to share their thoughts and experiences. One joked: "Welcome to customer service! These people will never stop... just smile and wave."
Another said: "My favourite one is when they've got a reward on the app they don't want to use but they don't let you know ahead of time so you can advise them to switch it off so it doesn't redeem so they get the free one. I had someone ask today if I could add the free one back onto their app and they'd pay for it instead."
A third commented: "I hate customers who blatantly know they didn't order something and then demand you get it for them. Half the time they expect the item for free and it's like 'well no?'"
A fourth added: "When they say 'I want this baguette with a latte and this sandwich with this coke' as if we control what items the system pairs up in a deal. Like, it automatically puts everything into the best value, I don't choose which combination of deals you have."
Greggs was founded in Newcastle more than 80 years ago by John Gregg. His goal was to deliver fresh egg and yeast to the families of the northern city, completing the venture by pushbike. A decade later, he opened Greggs of Gosforth, where he made fresh bread and treats. The high street still boasts a Greggs to this very day, though it has changed somewhat over the years.
The Greggs website states: "With over 2,000 Greggs in the UK, the important stuff still matters to us. We're hard-working, but above all else we're family; and it doesn't matter who you are, where you are from or what your favourite bake is, when you come into our shops, you're part of the family too."
