Just been ejected from Sainsburys

[Scuzi]

I had to quickly nip into Sainsburys to pick up a sandwich on my way home. The sandwich fridge is right by the entrance as is the tobacco counter. I walked in, grabbed a sandwiuch and went to the counter. The old doll behind the counter went as far as taking my money off me before deciding she didn't like the helmet. Instead of asking me to remove it she grabbed the sandwich and said "Take off the helmet". I said no and asked for my sandwich and change. Instead of handing me the change and sandwich and letting me leave, she caused an immense fuss by shouting at me, "Take off that helmet now or I'll have you put out!"

Now, I understand some places like filling stations have a policy regarding removal of helmets and said policies are clearly signposted on the door. My Sainsburys has no such signs anywhere. I had a thorough look.

So before Doris has a heart attack I take off my helmet as she rants at me about how there are signs and that I should know better. I asked her why I had to remove my helmet and the best reason she could come up with was "Coz we can see who you are". I asked why she needed to know who I was and what their policy was on Burkha wearing Muslims. She responded by telling me to get out.

I took issue with this, as you do D)and went in search of a supervisor. The supervisor said there was no policy, the security guard who came over said there was no policy yet I was asked to leave.

Frankly I'm pretty annoyed about how I was spoken to. I could totally understand if there was a store policy about removing helmets and it was clearly signposted but since neither is the case I'm miffed. I'm tempted to ask the old girl to remove her wig next time.

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Scuzi]

I'm just off the phone to Sainsburys customer care. Apparently it is a nationwide policy to remove helmets in the store. I suggested that maybe this policy should be signposted. I also suggested some customer service education for a particular member of staff.

I put the burkha question to the guy on the phone and he agreed that maybe it didn't make sense and was very diplomatic about hte whole thing but I felt bad for putting him in a difficult position and told him not to answer

 

[Scuzi]

I really don't see the issue with a helmet when I could quite freely walk around the store fully covered with black cloth and not a word would be said to me.

 

[Scuzi]

Pay at pump solves this. For anything else, I just take it off; I don't really see what all the fuss is about.

There wouldn't have been any fuss if they had a sign on the door asking motorcyclists to remove their helmets. They don't though. Besides, it wasn't a petrol station. It was the regular store.

 

[Scuzi]

I don't agree. You ride a bike, therefore wear a helmet; fine. You get off the bike, therefore you remove the helmet. How long does it take to put on and off? Does the extra few minutes make it a chor? Are you the Stig...? It's just good manors to take the helmet off, signs or no signs.

It is a chore, especially when in a hurry. To remove my helmet I have to remove my gloves which requires me to unzip the sleeves of my jacket. Unzipping my jacket, removing my gloves and then removing my helmet and having to do the reverse all over again for a transaction which takes no more than 20 seconds is a chore. It's especially difficult in the winter when your hands are so cold that you don't have enough dexterity in your fingers to undo the helmet strap for a good 10 minutes

The vast majority of stores don't have a problem with helmets.

On the flip side, it is good manners to inform customers of any rules for entry to a store before they enter the store rather than causing a scene.