So I was running late for lunch, clients kept me late. There is a subway around the corner of my office plaza that I avoid but usually eat when there is no time. And of course I run into the lunch crowd. There was a person ordering who was chatting on his cell phone and was ignoring the sandwich artist's questions on what he wanted. He managed to order while laughing away to the person on the other line.

So I was staring at the ceiling and he finally says he wants a Southwest steak and cheese. While the artist is dumping the ingredients on the sandwich to be heated, AFTER he is done doing so, the person interrupts him and says I don't want any peppers on my sandwich. The artist says well you should've told me before so. The guy says okay well I'm telling you now, I'd like a sandwich from scratch please. The artist pauses and says well you'll have to pay for both. The guy, now shutting down his phone conversation says this is ridiculous. I'd like to speak to your manager now. So both of them go at it and the manager tells him if you didn't want something on your sandwich, you should've told us before he dumped the ingredients on the sandwich for you. So he's made a whole scene now and he marches out the door without purchasing anything.

Unless the guy didn't know about peppers being put into his sandwich but should the artist have just given him a sandwich from scratch without hassling the customer?

Any Subway will re-do your sandwich if they make a mistake that can't be undone, for example putting mayo all over everything when you didn't ask for it. But peppers can be removed without harming the sandwich (assuming the sandwich has been assembled but not yet heated, as I gather from your post). It's arrogant and self-centered for a customer to demand that the sandwich be re-done because someone put peppers on it.

The store is probably tired of clowns talking on the phone and failing to pay attention to the ordering process. Some fast food places have a "customer is always right" policy, but I'm glad that at least one Subway is holding the line against the decline of western civilization.

(FWIW, I would never dream of trying to get lunch quickly at a Subway, which is among the slowest of the fast food joints. The quick lunch problem is why I have a microwave and fridge in my office.)

Get off the damn phone when ordering. Having two conversations at the same time only leads to confusion unless he was SO important that every second of his day is taken.

Agreed, can only cause problems like this one.

Personally, I would have clapped when the guy left and probably would have said something to the guy and the store owners that would have driven home the idea that the guy should have got off the phone. What makes him so special that he should cut into everyone else's lunch time?

because its HIS lunch hour. DUH!

My local Subway has a sign posted informing customers that they will not be waited on until they're finished with their phone conversation. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm prepared for the submaker to say "next" while some thoughtless clod stares, mouth agape, phone to ear. I find it incredibly disrespectful. I'd love to take a 2 week vacation and work at Subway just so I could be the one.

The cheesesteak shop near my house has a sign saying that if you are talking on the phone when it is your turn to order, that you will be kicked out of the place.

I have never seen anyone have an issue with this (it is frequented with cops and firefighters and they allow radios though).

Sandwich artist?

It's like a Starbucks "barista", but with meat.

Subway Restaurant?

As I explained before here, it's like a TSA officer.

As opposed to the underground train system?

All because common courtesy isn't so common anymore

Its like a starbucks but with sandwiches