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Kids in Subway -- what to do

(13 Posts)
KarenBCN Sat 27-Jun-26 23:41:19

American here. When we were in Subway, half a dozen young teenage boys came in. While a couple were ordering, a couple of others were shoving the mouths of their empty Coke bottles up into the ice dispenser and then into the soda dispenser. What, if anything, would you do and/or say? Thanks in advance for your response!

tanith Sun 28-Jun-26 07:44:43

Well if it’s in the store then surely it’s up to staff to monitor what’s going on so I would do nothing but get on with my business.

Sago Sun 28-Jun-26 08:06:54

Oh that’s funny, I get it now, the user name is Karen.

Musicgirl Sun 28-Jun-26 08:16:46

Sago

Oh that’s funny, I get it now, the user name is Karen.

Please don’t use the name Karen in the way it is popularly used these days - as an insult for assertive ladies of a certain age. It is targeted at our age group in particular as Karen was one of the most popular names for baby girls born between 1955-1975. It is not my name but I have known many girls and women called Karen over the years and it is very unpleasant for them.

dragonfly46 Sun 28-Jun-26 08:26:12

Sago

Oh that’s funny, I get it now, the user name is Karen.

You are incredibly cynical!

Sago Sun 28-Jun-26 09:15:35

dragonfly46

Sago

Oh that’s funny, I get it now, the user name is Karen.

You are incredibly cynical!

I am yes!

When I call out a dodgy thread (and I’m often the first to put my head above the parapet) I am usually correct.

Basgetti Sun 28-Jun-26 11:34:27

Some places offer free refills.

KarenBCN Sun 28-Jun-26 15:23:54

It's worth emphasizing that these were bottles that mouths had been on coming into contact with dispensers. We're not in the COVID era any more, but there are plenty of other germs.

It's also worth noting that only people who are not very clever go for low-hanging fruit...like names.

NotSpaghetti Sun 28-Jun-26 17:50:19

I think I'd speak to the manager and suggest a thorough cleaning of the dispenser...

Not at all nice. 😕

Magenta8 Sun 28-Jun-26 18:06:44

I hate the use of the name Karen as pejorative term too, especially as there appears to be no male equivalent.

It also smacks of the 'women know your place,' and 'quiet piggy' kind of misogyny that some men and even women go in for.

Are you an American in the UK or in the USA? Anyway this could just as easily happened in Subway in the UK.

I would probably have said something to the boys and also to the staff in case they were missing what was going on.

MawsRosie Sun 28-Jun-26 18:36:51

I would have left it to the staff after bringing it to their attention.
Their business.

Maggiemaybe Sun 28-Jun-26 19:45:18

I do a bit of volunteering in a primary school and used to take my water bottle with me to fill at one of the water fountains dotted along the corridors. Not since I saw a Year 6 drinking with his mouth round the nozzle though. Now I’m sure they all know full well not to do that, and I did have a word. But I fill it from my own tap now before I set off!

MT62 Sun 28-Jun-26 20:13:49

I never have ice, ever! But now I won’t be having any juice either 😩