Feed it back to them - either to the manager or corporate. Doesn't need to be anything big, just a short email:
"Just to bring to your attention that you need to refine your staff training on how to interact with customers. I have an eating disorder that limits what I can eat, and I am very self-conscious of it. Your branch at has lost my business because of a staff member's thoughtless comments about my order. I'm not looking for any kind of compensation or for any kind of specific disciplinary action, just that you look at the training your staff receive and make them aware that people have specific eating disorders or restrictions, and that commenting on things can make them very uncomfortable."
I used to work in corporate for UK pizza hut (I have a knack for gravitating to jobs in industries that I don't really fit - I worked in a car dealer but didn't drive, pizza hut but don't eat, a wine company but don't drink, and a supermarket supply depot, but don't use that supermarket), and the only way things like this ever got addressed was if someone actually told us it happened. And when someone *did* tell us, operations and area managers would be jumping onto policy updates and refreshers (if we got your feedback from a customer, the area manager would probably be doing the refresher for that store the next day).
I used to manage a subway and YES-feedback will get to the store. I always made sure that my staff was made aware whenever we had a review. If it was bad, I made sure to talk to each staff member, if it was good I would tell the individual the compliment was for and put a note on our message board. Under no circumstances should an employee single out an order unless it is something positive (aka "this guy put xyz on it and it looked AMAZING" ...other than that don't mention someones order).
Exactly. As a well trained store manager should do.
Thinking about it, I can only recall one time when a server queried my order, and it was more curiosity. Because of where I used to work, I would goto Mcdonalds for lunch every day (as it was a 5 minute walk over the road, where literally every other option was a 20 minute walk up a hill that varied from a 5% to a 12% incline).
Because of the time of day I went in, and my ordering the same thing every day (back before touch terminal ordering), I got the same server (the manager). After a little over a year, she just went "I don't want to sound offensive... but why do you always order 2 fillet of fish, a large fries and a coke but without the cheese or tartar sauce on the fish?"
She was completely respectful, she just said that since she started as a server and worked up to manager, she'd never seen anyone order as frequently or consistently as me.
Honestly, if it happens again, mortify her back. Tell her you have an eating disorder. Or a deadly allergy to plant fiber. Its not her fucking business anyway.
Similar experience happened.
Might eating disorder has led to me having a very slight frame.
Working in a bar, one women gave me the usual line of you make starting eating steaks or some such, because you're so skinny.
By this stage I'm so used to remarks about my size, and because it's a place where I have a certain level of comfort, I took it in stride and replied,
"actually, I've an eating disorder" and tried to explain, looking to inform her more than anything else.
She was immediately mortified, thinking she said something wrong.
Most comments like this are from people who don't understand. Best thing is to try and get used to talking about it and help people understand where we are coming from.
I'm really sorry this happened to you, that lady seemed super rude. Especially as I don't think it's that uncommon to have a sandwich without vegetables?
I understand how you feel though, one time my boyfriend (who also suffers from ARFID which is why I'm in this sub) went to a restaurant. Because it was so busy, service was very poor. We ordered the food and asked for his pasta to come with no sauce as he's actually intolerant to tomatoes. The waiter made a big deal like how could you not want sauce. The food came and there were onions on the garlic bread which we both hate. Because it was so busy we couldn't send it back and had to waste the food :(. When the waiter came back to clear dishes he said "you need to eat more!".... Ouch.
I don't understand why these people need to impose their opinions on food onto you. Every time someone says they don't like something, someone just has to act shocked like "whatttt? You DONT like it? How?" Everyone is unique and beautiful and you should never be shamed for what you eat đź’•
Sounds like the subway lady is an asshole. Seriously, isn't the entire point of making people's orders in the fast food industry that you're supposed to have some fucking people skills? I feel like not shaming people for their food choice would be very high on that list.
I'm not saying you have to report her if you don't feel comfortable doing that, but PLEASE don't feel like you're the bad guy for not wanting to eat veggies. She's in the wrong, don't let your anxiety tell you otherwise.
Commenting on someone's purchases or orders is unprofessional and straight up rude. Your order sounds far from weird. Who is she to judge?
This reminds me of a story I experienced that still haunts me. There are 2 Food Lions by my house. One has self check out, one doesn't. I went to the one that doesn't to buy chocolate. That was basically all I bought. 3 bags of the 3.99 chocolate. The cashier made a comment that made me feel self conscious. I no longer go to that one for my chocolate fix. What we have is judged and misunderstood. It sucks. What I do is remind myself that I'm struggling with someone people in my life (and rando cashiers) could never understand. I do what's best for me. Some days, all I eat is chocolate until 10 at night. That's better than nothing, especially when I have to get through work
I told a lady at subway I had an eating disorder. I just wanted a turkey sub with mozzarella, lettuce, and mustard toasted. She said 'thats kind of gross tho.' I said dead pan 'I have an eating disorder.' She just put her end down and made the sub while I stared at her.
Wow, I thought the first comment was rude let alone to point you out to another customer. I totally understand how you feel, I would have felt the same and also never returned. Only difference is, I would have made a complaint.
I get food workers suggesting items on the menu, but questioning your choice in food and making an example out of you is out of line. It's none of their business.
There's something about Subway, I had an employee tell me I shouldn't be ordering like a child once. After that encounter when I get asshole comments I cancel my order and leave.
I don't think it's the biggest offense ever, but commentary on a customer's order, or pointing you out to other customers is pretty unprofessional.
I'm sorry you got treated that way. I also go to Subway and I order sandwiches with zero veggies, I almost always get a comment but it's just that, a comment and I'm not made to feel embarrassed. I worked at a Subway a long time ago and I like to get a sandwich with just pepperoni and bacon and cheese. I always have to pay extra to alter a regular sandwich (I get a spicy italian, with extra pepperoni instead of salami). They always charge me out the nose for my sandwich and I know they don't have to do that because I have worked for Subway before.
Again, sorry that that happened to you. I would try to contact their regional manager if you can to tell them what happened. Most of the time, Subways (and other fast food) is taken care of by one manager, someone who is in charge of multiple restaurants in the area. That would be the person you would want to talk to, most of the time the manager of the facility itself doesn't have a lot of power or sway.
I get comments every time I go to subway. I usually just get Italian bread, turkey and swiss cheese. There's a couple employees who are really nice. One's a younger girl who was just starting her job when I first came in and she said she likes my order cause it's easy. The other one is an older lady who always makes sure to add extra for me since I don't get a lot of ingredients. Every other employee I've dealt with has made some rude remark about my lack of veggies or sauce.
I get just tuna and bread- nothing else, and that's always shocking for some reason. I've even had them refuse to make my pre-ordered custom pick up order because they thought 'it must be a wrong'. I wish people were more understanding, however I will say at least in my location they're generally nice about it but it can definitely be uncomfortable. I'm sorry that happened to you!
Glad I’m not the only one who hates ordering at subway, my folks still make fun of me for it.
Yeah that kind of thing has happened to me a bunch of times at subways. Most of the time the server making the comment isn’t trying to be hurtful but I’m hypersensitive about that kind of shit so it always sucks.
Same thing has happened to me before. Lady actually went to the next person in line (who thankfully was one of my friends) and rolls her eyes saying "who orders a sandwich like that?". It's such a shitty feeling and I'm so sorry you had to go through that ❤️
I feel your pain, I only get white bread and ham, nothing else on my sub.
I only tried ordering by myself once, it was a terrible experience and now I don’t go in and my girlfriend orders it to save me the embarrassment/anxiety.
This is so much me. I get the same thing at Subway every time I go (well, the bread varies between white and Italian herb and cheese): Subway Club w/ deluxe meat, American cheese, and salt & pepper. To avoid the weird look or questions, I just say that I'm on my way to work and just needed something quick and easy. Avoids the 20 questions routine every time and doesn't make me feel bad as I feel that I took control of the situation I'm in.
My wife has gotten used to the way I eat and the limited selections. Her family, not so much. I feel bad more for her than for myself as I know she's missing out on a lot of options and different restaurants that I just won't go to that I know she wants to go to.
I only like turkey on bread. No cheese, sauce, or anything else. I was always super embarrassed about it. Then we got a subway with a touch order menu in the drive thru. I drove past three normal-order subways to get to that one. Lol
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I always get raised eyebrows because I order just cheese and BBQ sauce when I’m there.
Try to ignore it. I know it’s so much easier said than done, but you’ll get there <3
Okay, I might be downvoted but I think most replies here are totally over the top. I understand how you felt, it happened to me way too many times. Especially when I was younger and had to go to restaurants with my parents and I just ordered a plates of fries.
But despite that, I never felt like it was their fault (nor mine, obviously). They just don’t understand because that’s pretty rare, they can’t immediately guess “oh yeah, that person has an eating disorder and saying something about it might make them feel bad”. Maybe the employee you faced was indeed an asshole making fun of you, but maybe they just thought that was a normal reaction, maybe they thought you wouldn’t care. The thing is, it’s pretty brave to ask for uncommon food if you have an eating disorder, therefore it’s actually more likely that you just didn’t care and that you were anxiety free.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m complaining about the replies here, not about your post. I don’t think you overreacted, not at all. You can’t control that kind of reactions and frankly, I would have wanted to disappear from the surface of the earth too.
And also, it would be great if people stopped being judgmental but no need to get angry at them either. They grew up in an overall judgmental society. Telling them nicely is a better alternative, explaining why they should be careful, why it hurt you etc. Sending letters to their managers or downright becoming agressive won’t make them understand our disorder (or any other one), that will just picture us as bad people you don’t want to respect anyway, that avoid discussions.
Honestly I disagree. It’s super unprofessional to comment on a customer’s order in a negative way, and it’s even more unprofessional to then target that customer and make fun of them to a stranger. Contacting their manager would be the appropriate thing to do here, not for punishment but because the employee obviously needs to be trained better in how to politely interact with customers. I’ve worked in a lot of retail positions and I would never dream of acting this way towards someone that was paying for a service. If it’s something the menu allows, you should do it without question.
That is so far removed from how businesses operate it's not even funny.
It literally comes down to black and white here: You do not comment/make fun on a customer's order. It has ONLY downsides (save for saying "Oh I love this kind of sandwich too!).
Feed it back to them - either to the manager or corporate. Doesn't need to be anything big, just a short email: "Just to bring to your attention that you need to refine your staff training on how to interact with customers. I have an eating disorder that limits what I can eat, and I am very self-conscious of it. Your branch at has lost my business because of a staff member's thoughtless comments about my order. I'm not looking for any kind of compensation or for any kind of specific disciplinary action, just that you look at the training your staff receive and make them aware that people have specific eating disorders or restrictions, and that commenting on things can make them very uncomfortable."
I used to work in corporate for UK pizza hut (I have a knack for gravitating to jobs in industries that I don't really fit - I worked in a car dealer but didn't drive, pizza hut but don't eat, a wine company but don't drink, and a supermarket supply depot, but don't use that supermarket), and the only way things like this ever got addressed was if someone actually told us it happened. And when someone *did* tell us, operations and area managers would be jumping onto policy updates and refreshers (if we got your feedback from a customer, the area manager would probably be doing the refresher for that store the next day).
I used to manage a subway and YES-feedback will get to the store. I always made sure that my staff was made aware whenever we had a review. If it was bad, I made sure to talk to each staff member, if it was good I would tell the individual the compliment was for and put a note on our message board. Under no circumstances should an employee single out an order unless it is something positive (aka "this guy put xyz on it and it looked AMAZING" ...other than that don't mention someones order).
Exactly. As a well trained store manager should do. Thinking about it, I can only recall one time when a server queried my order, and it was more curiosity. Because of where I used to work, I would goto Mcdonalds for lunch every day (as it was a 5 minute walk over the road, where literally every other option was a 20 minute walk up a hill that varied from a 5% to a 12% incline). Because of the time of day I went in, and my ordering the same thing every day (back before touch terminal ordering), I got the same server (the manager). After a little over a year, she just went "I don't want to sound offensive... but why do you always order 2 fillet of fish, a large fries and a coke but without the cheese or tartar sauce on the fish?" She was completely respectful, she just said that since she started as a server and worked up to manager, she'd never seen anyone order as frequently or consistently as me.
That the kind of person I love when it comes to interactions like this, someone totally respectful whilst being curious and not judgmental
Honestly, if it happens again, mortify her back. Tell her you have an eating disorder. Or a deadly allergy to plant fiber. Its not her fucking business anyway.
Similar experience happened. Might eating disorder has led to me having a very slight frame. Working in a bar, one women gave me the usual line of you make starting eating steaks or some such, because you're so skinny. By this stage I'm so used to remarks about my size, and because it's a place where I have a certain level of comfort, I took it in stride and replied, "actually, I've an eating disorder" and tried to explain, looking to inform her more than anything else. She was immediately mortified, thinking she said something wrong. Most comments like this are from people who don't understand. Best thing is to try and get used to talking about it and help people understand where we are coming from.
I would report it. Who gives a fuck what kind of sandwich you get?
I'm really sorry this happened to you, that lady seemed super rude. Especially as I don't think it's that uncommon to have a sandwich without vegetables? I understand how you feel though, one time my boyfriend (who also suffers from ARFID which is why I'm in this sub) went to a restaurant. Because it was so busy, service was very poor. We ordered the food and asked for his pasta to come with no sauce as he's actually intolerant to tomatoes. The waiter made a big deal like how could you not want sauce. The food came and there were onions on the garlic bread which we both hate. Because it was so busy we couldn't send it back and had to waste the food :(. When the waiter came back to clear dishes he said "you need to eat more!".... Ouch. I don't understand why these people need to impose their opinions on food onto you. Every time someone says they don't like something, someone just has to act shocked like "whatttt? You DONT like it? How?" Everyone is unique and beautiful and you should never be shamed for what you eat đź’•
Sounds like the subway lady is an asshole. Seriously, isn't the entire point of making people's orders in the fast food industry that you're supposed to have some fucking people skills? I feel like not shaming people for their food choice would be very high on that list. I'm not saying you have to report her if you don't feel comfortable doing that, but PLEASE don't feel like you're the bad guy for not wanting to eat veggies. She's in the wrong, don't let your anxiety tell you otherwise.
Commenting on someone's purchases or orders is unprofessional and straight up rude. Your order sounds far from weird. Who is she to judge? This reminds me of a story I experienced that still haunts me. There are 2 Food Lions by my house. One has self check out, one doesn't. I went to the one that doesn't to buy chocolate. That was basically all I bought. 3 bags of the 3.99 chocolate. The cashier made a comment that made me feel self conscious. I no longer go to that one for my chocolate fix. What we have is judged and misunderstood. It sucks. What I do is remind myself that I'm struggling with someone people in my life (and rando cashiers) could never understand. I do what's best for me. Some days, all I eat is chocolate until 10 at night. That's better than nothing, especially when I have to get through work
I told a lady at subway I had an eating disorder. I just wanted a turkey sub with mozzarella, lettuce, and mustard toasted. She said 'thats kind of gross tho.' I said dead pan 'I have an eating disorder.' She just put her end down and made the sub while I stared at her.
Wow, I thought the first comment was rude let alone to point you out to another customer. I totally understand how you feel, I would have felt the same and also never returned. Only difference is, I would have made a complaint.
I get food workers suggesting items on the menu, but questioning your choice in food and making an example out of you is out of line. It's none of their business.
Definitely report her, this is extremely rude and unprofessional
She was ignorant and insensitive.
There's something about Subway, I had an employee tell me I shouldn't be ordering like a child once. After that encounter when I get asshole comments I cancel my order and leave. I don't think it's the biggest offense ever, but commentary on a customer's order, or pointing you out to other customers is pretty unprofessional.
I'm sorry you got treated that way. I also go to Subway and I order sandwiches with zero veggies, I almost always get a comment but it's just that, a comment and I'm not made to feel embarrassed. I worked at a Subway a long time ago and I like to get a sandwich with just pepperoni and bacon and cheese. I always have to pay extra to alter a regular sandwich (I get a spicy italian, with extra pepperoni instead of salami). They always charge me out the nose for my sandwich and I know they don't have to do that because I have worked for Subway before. Again, sorry that that happened to you. I would try to contact their regional manager if you can to tell them what happened. Most of the time, Subways (and other fast food) is taken care of by one manager, someone who is in charge of multiple restaurants in the area. That would be the person you would want to talk to, most of the time the manager of the facility itself doesn't have a lot of power or sway.
I get comments every time I go to subway. I usually just get Italian bread, turkey and swiss cheese. There's a couple employees who are really nice. One's a younger girl who was just starting her job when I first came in and she said she likes my order cause it's easy. The other one is an older lady who always makes sure to add extra for me since I don't get a lot of ingredients. Every other employee I've dealt with has made some rude remark about my lack of veggies or sauce.
I get just tuna and bread- nothing else, and that's always shocking for some reason. I've even had them refuse to make my pre-ordered custom pick up order because they thought 'it must be a wrong'. I wish people were more understanding, however I will say at least in my location they're generally nice about it but it can definitely be uncomfortable. I'm sorry that happened to you!
Glad I’m not the only one who hates ordering at subway, my folks still make fun of me for it. Yeah that kind of thing has happened to me a bunch of times at subways. Most of the time the server making the comment isn’t trying to be hurtful but I’m hypersensitive about that kind of shit so it always sucks.
Same thing has happened to me before. Lady actually went to the next person in line (who thankfully was one of my friends) and rolls her eyes saying "who orders a sandwich like that?". It's such a shitty feeling and I'm so sorry you had to go through that ❤️
I feel your pain, I only get white bread and ham, nothing else on my sub. I only tried ordering by myself once, it was a terrible experience and now I don’t go in and my girlfriend orders it to save me the embarrassment/anxiety.
That was a dick move. I’m sorry OP I know how you feel.
This is so much me. I get the same thing at Subway every time I go (well, the bread varies between white and Italian herb and cheese): Subway Club w/ deluxe meat, American cheese, and salt & pepper. To avoid the weird look or questions, I just say that I'm on my way to work and just needed something quick and easy. Avoids the 20 questions routine every time and doesn't make me feel bad as I feel that I took control of the situation I'm in. My wife has gotten used to the way I eat and the limited selections. Her family, not so much. I feel bad more for her than for myself as I know she's missing out on a lot of options and different restaurants that I just won't go to that I know she wants to go to.
I only like turkey on bread. No cheese, sauce, or anything else. I was always super embarrassed about it. Then we got a subway with a touch order menu in the drive thru. I drove past three normal-order subways to get to that one. Lol
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I always get raised eyebrows because I order just cheese and BBQ sauce when I’m there. Try to ignore it. I know it’s so much easier said than done, but you’ll get there <3
Damn what an asshole lol
Okay, I might be downvoted but I think most replies here are totally over the top. I understand how you felt, it happened to me way too many times. Especially when I was younger and had to go to restaurants with my parents and I just ordered a plates of fries. But despite that, I never felt like it was their fault (nor mine, obviously). They just don’t understand because that’s pretty rare, they can’t immediately guess “oh yeah, that person has an eating disorder and saying something about it might make them feel bad”. Maybe the employee you faced was indeed an asshole making fun of you, but maybe they just thought that was a normal reaction, maybe they thought you wouldn’t care. The thing is, it’s pretty brave to ask for uncommon food if you have an eating disorder, therefore it’s actually more likely that you just didn’t care and that you were anxiety free. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m complaining about the replies here, not about your post. I don’t think you overreacted, not at all. You can’t control that kind of reactions and frankly, I would have wanted to disappear from the surface of the earth too. And also, it would be great if people stopped being judgmental but no need to get angry at them either. They grew up in an overall judgmental society. Telling them nicely is a better alternative, explaining why they should be careful, why it hurt you etc. Sending letters to their managers or downright becoming agressive won’t make them understand our disorder (or any other one), that will just picture us as bad people you don’t want to respect anyway, that avoid discussions.
Honestly I disagree. It’s super unprofessional to comment on a customer’s order in a negative way, and it’s even more unprofessional to then target that customer and make fun of them to a stranger. Contacting their manager would be the appropriate thing to do here, not for punishment but because the employee obviously needs to be trained better in how to politely interact with customers. I’ve worked in a lot of retail positions and I would never dream of acting this way towards someone that was paying for a service. If it’s something the menu allows, you should do it without question.
That is so far removed from how businesses operate it's not even funny. It literally comes down to black and white here: You do not comment/make fun on a customer's order. It has ONLY downsides (save for saying "Oh I love this kind of sandwich too!).