Poll: Should workers refuse to serve customers using mobile phones?
It is an annoyance for shopkeepers across the land – serving a customer who is chatting away on their mobile.
But one takeaway got so fed-up with ignorant patrons they banned them from using phones while at the counter.
Staff at Subway put up a sign at their Market Street store in Wolverhampton city centre ordering regulars to get off their phones while making an order.
Disgruntled workers posted the A4 laminated sign featuring a cartoon character on a phone and the message 'Please Do Not Use Your Mobile Whilst Being Served Thanks!!!'.
It has since been taken down, but fellow shopkeepers have defended the move.
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Jagtar Singh who runs Top Nosh Cafe in Hampton Walk near to the Mander Centre said customers on the phone at the counter are 'rude'. He said: "We get people on their phones here while they're ordering and it causes a queue so we just serve the people around them. I can sympathise with Subway workers because it's rude.
"All someone has to do is stop talking for a couple of minutes. They're in the cafe to order food not chat on their phones."
Daljit Nahil, development agent for the Subway brand in the West Midlands, said: "All Subway stores are independently owned and operated by franchisees.
"We are aware of a notice that was posted on the counter of the Market Street Subway store. "This notice has now been removed. The franchisee did not intend to cause offence and will continue to ensure the brand's high levels of customer service are maintained at all times."
Jas Dhillon, who owns Home Kitchen on Princess Street in the city centre, said he did not think there was a problem with customers talking while being served.
She said: "If a customer is on their phone it doesn't cause a problem for me. People are busy nowadays and while they're chatting away you can prepare their food. I think it's harsh of the staff to say people can't use their phones at the counter and I support Subway for taking it down."
Last year Sainsbury's had to apologise to a customer after she was refused service at a checkout because she was on the phone.