I’m gen z and i feel the same way. Like can you not take not even a minute out of your day to order like a normal person. What i started doing is standing at the register staring at the wall until they realize what’s up

I left the service industry pre-ear pods, and I worked at a BN Cafe that was slow enough during regular seasons for me to just leave customers standing alone at the register if they were on a phone call that was more important than giving me their order. I would busy myself with other tasks until they would get the hint. I would probably lose my mind (and/or job) with earpod etiquette.

I worked in Subway a long time ago and one time we had this huge line and the next lady in line was standing there with her back towards us. We tried to get her attention but no go. Asked the next person in line because he was paying attention and ready, and boy howdy did she ever notice then! People can be jerks, and it really doesn't matter what they are using to do it.

Not to be that guy, but also, while yeah it sucks to have to repeat yourself sometimes, neurodivergent folks often use ear buds as ear plugs and will usually turn the sound off or way down when ordering, but it's literally to make the space accessible to them. Clearly not everyone who does this is neurodivergent, but like, don't be a dick just because you see airpods still in someone's ears. You don't even know if there's sounds coming thru them.

Talking on their phone is irritating too. I point
blank ask a customer, “Are you talking to me or the person who’s on the other end on your phone? How do you expect me to take your order?“ Then at handoff that person gets mad cause his/her order ended up being wrong and I get blamed for it even though I repeated what that person ordered and he/she said it was correct.

I feel the same but apply it to all social and business interactions. Take the pod out of your damn ear if you are going to talk to me, please.

As someone who wears AirPods 100% of the time (without music, I have BAD auditory sensory issues) I’ve personally never had a problem with a customer wearing AirPods. The REAL problem in my opinion is people on their phones.

people have literally mouthed their orders to me while on the phone with earbuds. like. hello??!

I agree. We need new manners manuals for the modern era.

Had a dude cuss me out over how long his mobile order frapp was taking…and he was wearing airpods. That encounter just made me hate airpods even more lol. Yelled at me to make him “the f****** x-large“ when I tried to clarify what drink and size his order was because I was trying to make it on the spot since he was so upset and our stickers were incredibly backed up so I couldn’t find his order

I don’t mind customers wearing airpods, but I do if they’re straight up rude or make it our problem that their order is wrong because they were too busy with their airpods when ordering

I have a regular that comes in and orders with over ear headphones on almost every time. Also almost every time, whoever is ringing him up has to essentially yell at him until he takes his headphones off and surprisedly exclaims “oh my bad I couldn’t hear you!”

Some peoples children.

I don't really mind airpods or headphones or anything, I just want customers who are actively participating in the conversation. I think that's where the distinction is for me at least.

I have one of my AirPods set to pause when I double tap it. So I’ll do that as I approach a counter somewhere. That or take one off to show I’m paying attention.

It pisses me off so bad, at bare minimum take ONE out. People ordering with those big apple overtheear headphones also pisses me off