It is the annoying habit that plagues modern Britain: yobs on their phones with their speakers on high forcing everyone around them to hear what’s on their mobiles.
But one enterprising business owner may have finally found an elegant solution to the scourge tormenting society.
Staff at the Albion Farm Shop and Cafe, in Saddleworth, Oldham, are so tired of the unwanted noise they have imposed a strict silence or headphones rule.
The move came after a mother became abusive towards staff members when they asked if her child could wear headphones while using their tablet.
The owner of the cafe shared the story in a post on social media, explaining the reasons for the new rules.
They wrote: ‘Throughout the weekend and particularly this morning and lunch time, we have had to continuously approach customers to ask them politely if they would be able to attach headphones to their device or turn their volume to a minimum to avoid disruption for other customers.
‘This lunch time after one customer was asked extremely politely if headphones were possible, we were immediately reprimanded.
‘Knackered and worried this was the sort of customer who would make a scene both in the cafe and on social media, we’ll be absolutely honest, we chickened out and let it be, so this continued for another 30 minutes.
The Albion Farm Shop and Cafe in Oldham has now banned people from playing music out loud on their phones
‘Snipes could be heard but weren’t acknowledged, and on leaving their child was instructed to be careful she didn’t drop her tablet on ‘that woman’.
‘A quiet reminder that there was no need to be so rude resulted in being told that we should have had a wash this morning (will own up to looking very dishevelled due to having a poorly 12 month old awake during the night) and gestures were then made through the window on leaving.
‘All we can think is that someone really wanted a show down that they didn’t get.’
Staff at the quiet secluded cafe have now had enough of customers playing music and sounds out loud.
They added: ‘Of course we are as adaptable as we possibly can be to any additional needs or requests, but all we ask for is the same politeness and understanding in return, that we don’t just assume and we can have polite conversations to gain understanding.
‘Due to these continued issues and wanting to make it easier for both our staff and customers to navigate with no unnecessary upset on both sides, we are now asking our customers to silence their speaker phones and remain with headphones or head sets only.
‘If a member of staff asks you to turn off your volume or to please use headphones, this is for the wellbeing of all our other customers so please treat them with respect or speak to them politely.’
The secluded cafe made the changes after a mother became abusive towards staff members
Dozens of people responded to the post, raising their similar experiences in cafes and on buses.
One said: ‘Public transport is notorious for this, usually by people more then old enough to know better, and if it’s not the volume of the device, it’s the person using it, talking (Or more over shouting) needlessly loud for no apparent reason, other then pure selfishness.’
Another replied: ‘I get sick of people having conversations with others, watching videos etc, always with the volume turned up as high as possible and put on loud speaker. Why do we want to listen to their conversations. Why do they even want to share their conversations with everyone. Why do we need to listen to what they’re watching.’
While some said that it can ‘sometimes be necessary’ for children to have tablets at the table, such as those with additional needs, most seemed to agree that having the volume too loud ‘is unacceptable’.
One mother said: ‘As an autistic mum with an autistic child – either you find a work around or leave. It’s very important to teach your child to be respectful of other people, special needs or not.
‘I sometimes have to put videos on for my child when she won’t settle in public, but it’s common decency to have it very quiet or use headphones because our children still need to learn to be polite in public.’
Laura Hirst, who works at the family-run business, based in Oldham Road, Delph, said the signs they have now put up state: ‘Please silence your phone or use headphones to treat others with respect and aid a sociable atmosphere. If our staff need to approach you with a gentle reminder, please treat them with respect’.
However, she said the signs ‘haven’t made much of a difference unfortunately’.