Pub-goer stunned by 'company policy' banning swearing and use of electronics
If you're looking for a rowdy time, you won't find it at any Samuel Smith Brewery in the North of England.
One thirsty pub-goer has been left completely perplexed by a company policy sign tacked to the bar at a Samuel Smith pub he visited, while desperately in search of a drink.
The customer, who shared the evidence to Reddit, revealed a fiercely-worded sign that called for no swearing or use of electronics inside the Tadcaster pub.
The sign stated that the venue had a "zero-tolerance policy" for swearing as it "offends customers and doesn't create the environment we would like in our public houses."
READ MORE: Inside the troubled life of Princess Charlene of Monaco
A strongly-worded company policy had some strict rules for pub-goers. Reddit
READ MORE: How one explosive tweet sparked a 'WAG war'
To truly bring the point home, the word "zero" was underlined.
Not only were patrons unable to get colourful with their language, but they also weren't allowed to use electronic devices, including phones, tablets and laptops.
In red text, the company policy sign said that "taking and making calls, texting, streaming and general browsing" was forbidden.
It then warned that failure to comply would lead to refusal of service and being asked to leave the pub altogether.
In the face of such a clear and rigid policy, naturally Redditors wondered how the customer had managed to get a photo of the sign at all.
The customer explained that he'd snapped a photo while "the barman was out having a smoke checking his bets".
Samuel Smith Breweries famously have a no swearing and no technology rule in all of their North England pubs. iStock
Yet it turns out that the rules of Samuel Smith Breweries, which runs around 200 public houses in the north of England, are reasonably well-known to regulars.
According to The Mirror, in 2019, Samuel Smith Breweries announced that they would be introducing strict in-house rules to boost "social conversation person to person".
As well as no electronic devices and no swearing, the pubs also hold no televisions and play no music.
In the comments, Redditors revealed the few experiences they've had in the venues.
"There was a story in the local paper where a customer was checking her insulin level with her phone app and instantly got barred," revealed one person.
READ MORE: Charles caught 'complaining' to Camilla at historic event
"Occasionally "Humphry" Smith who is now the owner [of Samuel Smith Breweries] will pay random visits to all his pubs," commented another Redditor. "He once did this to a pub near me and found people on their phones, he evicted the landlords and sacked them on the spot."
A third wrote: "I was in one of their pubs in Chester and got chucked out for texting a friend," adding, "Genuinely cannot wait to see these lot go out of business..."
