what are your thoughts? personally, it’s a little unnecessary. most muslims in supermarkets will handle alcohol and pork (packaged/bottled) regardless.
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
I don’t see why sh!thead Richard Dawkins has got his chaddis in a twist given that his cutesy-patootsy analogy does not represent a world religion or even a sizable chunk of the population. IMO, I think it’s great that M&S is showing sensitivity toward Muslims. We’re certainly not the only faith that pork and alcohol are prohibited for.
The person who told the lady, “Sorry I cannot serve you” could have told her “I cannot handle alcohol/pork due to my religious beliefs, but I will see to it right away that you get someone who can help you.” I can see how the former response would be perceived as rude because it offers no explanation, so the customer is more likely to take it personally.
If I want to buy a product, I don’t really care about the cashier or server’s opinion about my order/purchases. It’s not something I dwell on and it does not put me off from the product. And I believe that’s the case for most people. Maybe the likes of Dawkins find it difficult to digest their orders should the servers dare to hold uphold different beliefs from them and express them respectfully, which he cannot manage. Ironically, sometimes the people with the most intolerant mindset are those who have chosen to live a life free from any religious restrictions. Besides, it’s not like you won’t get served at all; arrangements will be made. There there have been a few times where I’ve seen one person take the order and another person do the serving and it doesn’t bother me.
When a company/business displays consideration for others during a time where such values seem to be dwindling, it’s amazing that people are going to criticize that as well. It’ll be interesting to see how many people would dismiss this uncommon extension of courtesy now.
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
dawkins is an idiot anyway. i do agree, as a muslim, it shows consideration for any staff that have religious limitations but it’s unnecessary drama. case in point is the way the staff told the customer. to extrapolate from that, customers will obviously feel like they’re doing something wrong or they have offended the staff member by purchasing pork or alcohol etc and then having to queue up all over again to be served at a different till. perhaps it is about wording it correctly but overall it seems like a bit of a hassle. it’s not like they’re asking you to pick up the pork, make a qeema of it and pack it up.
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
Yeah, the server could have worded it better. The way I see it…the Muslims that don’t have a problem serving or selling certain products won’t object. But for the ones the feel uncomfortable, it’s nice that they have the option not to. The managerial staff can figure out a way to work this so it’s “less” of a hassle…and if they didn’t think they could handle the “hassle” or “consequences” of this allowance…they would not have offered it in the first place. In offering this allowance, they must have anticipated consequences and arranged for “backup” service or measures. At Subway, the servers change their gloves for those who don’t/cannot eat meat. It’s a bit of a hassle for them; but they do it. I don’t agree with the view/mentality that “Well other Muslims are okay with it, so why should you care?” …or…“Others are doing it, so you shouldn’t worry.”
Those that are not bothered will go about it undeterred, those that are concerned have the option to avoid it. Those that are really concerned can opt to work in other places of employment that better meet their needs.
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
is it less sinful to work at a place that sells pork and alcohol if you dont personally have to ring it up?
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
Ahhh good ole M&S. You’re bound to run into a desi or two from Pakistan in the summer at the Oxford Street location in the men’s chaddi department. 
Re: M&S allow muslim staff to refuse serving customers buying pork and alcohol
It was you wasn’t it on your part-time job. Stirring up trouble again