Greggs worker says customers have ‘unlocked’ new ‘pet peeve’ that ‘never stops’

Greggs is popular among countless people but for workers, it’s sometimes a different story. A Greggs employee has shared a “new pet peeve” unlocked by demanding customers – and fellow staff members agree

A Greggs employee has revealed a “new pet peeve” that’s been “unlocked” by frustrating customers, sparking discussion among fellow staff members. Working in customer service can prove challenging at times, and having to consistently interact with members of the public isn’t for everyone.

Certain customers have a tendency to be discourteous and demanding, others relish the chance to demean people simply carrying out their duties, and some can be unpredictable and eager to lodge complaints. One Greggs employee has revealed the customer behaviours they find most draining.

Greggs is a firm fixture on Britain’s high streets, beloved by people across all age groups thanks to a wide-ranging menu featuring classic favourites such as the enduring sausage roll, steak bake, and cheese and onion pasty; alongside its sweet offerings including biscuits and donuts, plus the popular vegan sausage roll, salads, sandwiches, pasta and more.

The bakery enjoys a dedicated following and it’s estimated that approximately 2.5 million sausage rolls are sold across the UK every week, totalling roughly 140 million a year.

Taking to Reddit, one employee was eager to reveal the reality of working behind the counter rather than queuing 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 went on: “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, other Greggs staff members were eager to share their own experiences and thoughts. One said: “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 established in Newcastle over 80 years ago by John Gregg. His ambition was to supply fresh egg and yeast to households across the northern city, carrying out deliveries by pushbike.

10 years on, he launched Greggs of Gosforth – minus the bicycle – where he produced fresh bread and baked goods. The high street continues to feature a Greggs outlet to this day, although it has evolved considerably over the decades.

According to the Greggs website: “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.”