Experiences from face coverings
Well... Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings due to various reasons, whilst many of us wear a lanyard to explain that we are exempt we do still get some very bad experiences.
Experiences
Firstly, I must stress that this isn't about all the bad experiences, there are some good ones too...
On The Train & The Buses
Let's start with Public Transport, after it became mandatory on public transport. I got a Lanyard that explained that I was exempt from wearing it. On board a Great Western Railway service from Weymouth one day, when the guard changed at Westbury, Helen, decided to challenge it... I had to explain to her that I was exempt and that I carry this to inform people... After a heavy discussion, she said "It's her bloody train, and to grow up and wear a bloody face covering, or get off the bloody train". I reported her to the senior train conductor at the railway station and training was re-issued. Thankfully one Saturday evening back from Weymouth we made ourselves aware due to anxiety and the staff were lovely, a welcome change from a few weeks ago.... Although never again on a Saturday night on a Weymouth train...
Buses, Coming back from Trowbridge after a lovely day out, we boarded the 2110 service, the driver saw red and decided to have a go at us for not wearing a face covering and got rather aggressive before switching off the engine and saying we could get off the bus. He was dealt with... however I'm scared to get back on his bus in case he has another go.
In Stores
TESCO seems to be the worst offender up in our local village, keeps posting things on social media about refusing people who don't wear one, officially TESCO do not have an enforcement policy. Therefore they will not question you (well supposed to). However as we've got a lanyard explaining this, they've been alright...
Costa Coffee, Bristol Union Street... The lady in there gave us a warm welcome... well, her first words were "wheres' your face coverings" blatantly looking at our lanyards showing that we were exempt, that day we walked out after I lost my cool with her, and wrote a strongly worded email to COSTA, who since haven't questioned.
Marks and Spencers are probably the best places for understanding the sunflower lanyard, we haven't been questioned once, and the cafe manager in the Yate store actually spoke to us and looked after us. Delivering an excellent coffee, however every M&S store I've been in We've never had any issue. They seem to train there staff really well on hidden disabilities. Plus its so easy to spend money in there....
Cinemas & Bowling Alleys
Lets start with the cinemas...
Showcase Cinemas Bristol - After the Law came into force, James and I saw with Max Inception the 10th Celebration of it... I rang the cinema manager who said he didn't think staff were aware of the sunflower lanyard scheme however he would pass it on to the cinema staff... Fortunately this was the case and the staff were lovely, really helpful giving clear and simple instructions and made sure that we were understanding of where to go, including the staff member who remembered James, saying "you're here to see the big screen". That's what I call Customer Service. We went since to see Dumb and Dumber and it was the same friendly experience we were used to, so thank you Showcase, it was delight to be in your company....
VUE Cinemas - Saw Hot Fuzz, the film started 20 minutes early, and after being on hold to the cinema chain, the customer service rep didn't know if they had been trained or sounded like they knew about the hidden disability lanyard which was worrying, but said don't worry they won't refuse... Got to the cinema and the staff who were hanging around, didn't question and were actually quite helpful and apologetic/surprised when they realised Hot Fuzz had finished early.
ODEON Cinemas - This cinema was experience was dreadful... Welcomed by a chap called "Kermit The Frog" which made me smile; with his name badge, he ran through the safety, with the arrows and the hand sanitiser, and being shown to the seats, and remaining seated until the end of the performance... However then he asked about the face coverings, we showed him a lanyard that said we were exempt and he told the guys on the desk that we were exempt, however this is when the fun and games started... At the ticket check point we were still asked for our coverings again, we said we were exempt and she laughed and went "Oh OK". So we walked up the stairs to screen 8, and was greeted by another member of staff who again asked where our face covering were, so I explained "Please check the DDA law of 2010" and just walked off, James laughed. It was obvious that they were not aware of the sunflower lanyard which apparently is so highly recognised in stores.
Cineworld Cinemas - Cineworld apparently train the staff on these lanyards, and I messaged Cineworld who reassured me, this wasn't the case for the chap on the door in Yate. I saw Tennt on the big screen a new release today, it was really good film, dampened by the cinema host on the front door who said "I cannot let you in without a face covering" I explained that I was exempt and he did apologise however my anxiety at this point was really bad and I felt like walking out. However the rest of the staff were fine... Bit more retraining...
Thoughts? Email hello@thebradeyshow.co.uk
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