WETHERSPOONS not e-cig friendly

[accordioni]

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd let everyone know, to avoid the embarrassment I suffered this morning, that WETHERSPOONS does not allow the use of E-cigs in their establishments (despite having used it there before with no problem!!).

I was waiting for the breakfast I ordered, drinking my coffee and having a vape as I have done before, and from accross the restuarant came the shout "OH MY GOD IS SOMEONE SMOKING IN HERE" - I thought it was a customer, so looked round, and a barmaid was RUNNING accross the restaurant towards me, and as she was halfway accross the room she shouted "YOU CAN'T SMOKE IN HERE, IT'S NOT SMOKING" (despite my e-cig being a stainless steel 7 inch pen-like appliance with a blue light on the end lol!!!).

When she arrived at my table, I calmly explained that it was not a cigarette, it's an electronic cigarette, and it's not smoke, it's vapour, perfectly legal elsewhere, I'd used it in there before with no problem etc........

She interrupted me and said "I know, my boss has got one but he goes outside. Hang on, just let me check", and she then proceeded to SHOUT accross the restaurant to another member of staff "are people allowed to smoke electronic cigarettes in here", and the reply was "no, not as far as I know"!!.

By this time, realising that I was receiving the attention of the entire restaurant, I stood up and said "I'd like a refund please, I don't want to eat here now".

At the same time, my meal was being put on the table. She pointed at my meal and said, "No, there's nothing wrong with your food, so if you sit down and eat your breakfast, I'll go and ring up and check".

I stated that I wanted to leave and wanted a refund as I didn't want to eat there any more. Another member of staff shouted over "just give her a refund"!! As I walked over to the till to collect my refund she SHOUTED (again) "sorry, it's just our policy, it's offending other customers, and we don't want people thinking there's someone smoking in here".

I stated that her policies needed updating, collected my refund, left, and of course, sent a huge complaint to Wetherspoons.

Fair enough if an establishment has a policy of not allowing e-cigs, I would gladly accept that if I had been told in a polite a discreet manner. However, the way I was treated was appalling, and it's the customer services aspect I have a huge problem with. I do also think that surely they are widely used enough, for members of staff to be made aware of them, and for signage to be displayed regarding their policy, if it is the case that they do not allow them.

Finally, I find it hilarious that they don't mind serving alcohol at 9.50am to a long line of gentlemen who look like they've been there all night. They also don't mind people standing outside their main entrance smoking cigarettes, getting in the way of entering customers, and leaving a dirty mess everywhere. But they don't allow vaping.

Interesting!!

I will forward any response I receive from my complaint, for your information!!!

Happy vaping, in public!!!

 

[BoltActionBeard]

I havn't got my PV yet but is this a unique problem? I am glad I can vape in my home and I have vaped in a Walmart with a disposable without a hitch, but is it uncommon for people to think that its actual smoke?

 

[Screwbag]

Nice....they sound like real pros! Hahaha
People seem to lack discretion these days...keep us posted on their reply!

 

[Taniger1]

Boltaction, naw this is not a normal reaction. There are several camps. Some ask, some don't. Doesn't matter which camp you fall in, this might have been a little over the top from the establishment in question. I"m sure others will disagree though.

The part I find over the top myself (although the yelling was VERY tacky, continueing the converstion in loud tones was probably against company policy), was the bartender telling the OP "She pointed at my meal and said, "No, there's nothing wrong with your food, so if you sit down and eat your breakfast, I'll go and ring up and check"." THAT part was over the top and very probably against the rules of the establishment. THIS statement will get her into (one hopes) serious trouble!

 

[yankeebobo]

Wow. I've never has that reaction. And you're right. It's their right to dictate policies BUT lets have some discretion and respect please. Common courtesy. It goes a long way. I can only imagine a different approach. Quietly "I know that's an ecig but because of various reasons I have to ask you not to use that in here. It's our policy. Our boss vapes outside.". Ok. Understood. Eat and tip. Whole different result

 

[MickeyRat]

I've vaped in many restaurants. I usually ask but, I've neglected to do so a few times. I've never ever had a problem or been turned down. This is not typical.

You did the right thing leaving.

 

[lotsoffish]

I would say you just ran into a couple unprofessional employees working at Wetherspoons who were obviously not trained in regard to what to do if somebody starts vaping in the establishment.

It happens.

See my Avatar for further explanation.

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

At this point, if it was me, I would certainly write a polite letter to the GM of the restaurant, and maybe include some of the printed material from CASAA to help educate.

 

[offashead]

Hi there. I think Wetherspoons has a ban on vaping,, I went in ours the other day, just about to vape and a customer I know informed me that spoons won't allow vaping, I walked out before I vaped up and did not consult the manager.. I have vaped in the other spoons in town and nobody said anything, however they may not have seen me. I think clarification is needed.

On another note I play in a band and vape on and off stage. I usually ask the governor first and after explaining vaping to them they give me the nod. I mean..... we also use a smoke machine so whats the difference? Probably the smoke machine is worse than the vaping.. We don't play spoons though.

 

[KForrester86]

some people are just stupid or to lazy to educate themselves on something they might encounter while working. you did the right thing leaving, I would have done the same.

I've vaped in a few public places..gotten weird looks like I'm from a different planet or something but that's about it. I try to be stealth about it in public to avoid confrontation or having to talk to complete strangers for 20 minutes about what I'm doing. I don't like unwanted attention, I keep to myself and stay off the radar. I wanna keep it that way but still enjoy being able to vape..

 

[Myk]

I fully understand a no e-cig policy. Smokers see someone "smoking" and decide it's OK for them to light up. Non-smoking customers see smoke therefore smell smoke.
But even if you had been actually smoking she should've walked up to you, not yelled across the room. Then once it was identified as an electronic there was definitely no need to continue yelling, it's not like it's burning waiting for an answer.

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

I fully understand a no e-cig policy. Smokers see someone "smoking" and decide it's OK for them to light up. Non-smoking customers see smoke therefore smell smoke.
But even if you had been actually smoking she should've walked up to you, not yelled across the room. Then once it was identified as an electronic there was definitely no need to continue yelling, it's not like it's burning waiting for an answer.

Agreed. The way it was handled defiantly warrants a polite letter to the GM. But touching on the whole PV thing in general should be addressed as well. Fliers from CASAA can educate.

 

[YoursTruli]

I always ask first before vaping in any public establishment even if I had permission to do so before because the staffing is never the same and I want to avoid situations just like this. Since vaping is so foreign to most businesses/people (where I live) there are no real established policies regarding it in most businesses. Most people here assume you are smoking analogs or if they see the device they have no idea what it is you are "smoking" just that you are "smoking" something and smoking is not allowed.
I agree this barmaid was way over the top (can you say drama queen LOL) and seriously I would have left too but I also think as vapors we have to take extra care because people are so reactionary and always ask first and educate if possible. JMHO
~truli

 

[Underwhelmed]

I've sent a query to Wetherspoon's as to what their actual policy is in regards to e-cig usage.

 

[Screwbag]

In many places I've given up asking...like the bowling alley etc. I still choose outdoor cafe spots to avoid asking...
Once in Sweden I was in a club, with lots of smoke machines and such. So I asked if I could vape...the guy looked at me like I just asked to bang his daughter...and of course I was told not no, but hell no and why would I even ask him such a stupid question....

I understand and respect the choice of each establishment to set their own policies, but they don't have to be jerks.

Needless to say I didn't bother going back....

 

[twohandedcreations]

this is just my opinion, but I believe just pulling out your Esmoke and using it where ever you please does more damage to the cause then good. I know its not smoke so therefore it doesn't fall under smoking laws, but theres far more uneducated people out there then educated people and the more its thrown into the faces of the uneducated the more resistant their going to be towards it. The question you have to ask yourself is, whats more important, being able to use your Esmoke where ever you please or being able to use your Esmoke at all. As we've seen in other countries and in some states now, our right to vape is in danger and I worry that the "Vape anywhere I want" attitude is going to be strikes against us in the long run!

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I always ask to speak to the Manager and explain vaping to him/ her because I understand I am on Private Property. Recently, for the first time, I was told they would not allow vaping in their establishment and I was ok with that BUT the Manager was classy enuff to explain his reasoning. He stated if someone were to have a severe allergic reaction to the vapor he could be liable. I thanked him sincerely, stated I understood and accepted his explanation. Much to our surprise(wife and I) the Manager sent us a bottle of Pinot Noir, compliments of the restaurant. A class act and we will be going back regardless of their vaping policy.
As for the waitress running across the room screaming...completely unacceptable behavior and the waitress should have IMMEDIATELY reported to and asked the Manager to intervene and resolve the issue.

 

[Chrissie]

As Offashead says, Weatherspoons policy does not allow the use of e-cigarettes in their pubs. A year or so ago, they did agree to allow them on a trial basis in a few of their premises in the SW of England, but I don't think we have heard any more since then.

 

[Jixchel]

As a member of the food service industry I apologize on behalf of the back of the house. Sounds like the front of the front the house employees need some training in respect and tact. If I had been treated as you were I would have not only demanded a refund, but also the manager. The behavior of staff is appalling, and unless they were retrained or fired I wouldn't step foot in there again.

 

[DC2]

I take one of two approaches...

If I think I will be told no then I don't ask, I just stealth vape.
If I think I might be told yes, then I ask to speak to the manager.

One thing I never do is ask the staff.

But there has never been ANY venue, or any establishment, that I did not vape in.
I can stealth vape anywhere, even after I've been told no.