Marco warns punters to be polite this Christmas

Marco Pierre White Hospitality Action Stella Artois Manners

Confidentials 8 December 2021

Hospitality staff have had enough of people’s s***

Stella Artois has teamed up with Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White for a sweary campaign calling for politeness towards hospitality workers during the festive season.

We wanted to raise awareness on the pressure the hospitality workers may face this season

“Britain. What the f-?” says Marco in the 15 second video.

“Hospitality staff have had enough of people’s sh-. So next time, be polite, don’t be a tw-. Order a Stella, please. Manners cost you nothing.”

New research amongst hospitality workers from Stella Artois and YouGov has revealed 41% of those surveyed are concerned that customers will be ruder this festive season, with 40% reporting that rude behaviour amongst customers has got worse since lockdown measures lifted earlier this year.

To help tackle the eye-opening findings and encourage respectful behaviour in restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs across the country, Stella Artois is working with Hospitality Action and Marco Pierre White.

Marco is famed for being anything but mild mannered, but having worked in the restaurant industry for over 30 years, he knows a thing or two about the inconsiderate behaviours that can be displayed by Christmas revellers.

Tis the season to be polite to hospitality staff. If you do as Marco says and mind your Ps and Qs when ordering a 'Stella please' from participating outlets and you'll get £1 off your pint, and a further £1 will be donated to us by @StellaArtoisUK https://t.co/qe1bF0AsRj Cheers pic.twitter.com/CCwJSgxPtA
— Hospitality Action (@HospAction) December 8, 2021

The survey reports that not using essential manners like “please” and “thank you” is the most common form of discourteous behaviour experienced by hospitality workers. Nearly half said that customers talking on the phone was an issue for them.

Manners don’t cost a thing and Stella drinkers in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Newport, can even save money by asking “Can I have a Stella, please” when placing their order, to receive £1 off their pint. For each pint ordered, Stella Artois are also making a donation to Hospitality Action.

Tim Ovadia, global vice president of Stella Artois, said, “We wanted to raise awareness on the pressure the hospitality workers may face this season and our research shows how small acts of kindness from the public really can go a long way for them.

Kazimier Garden Pint Of Lager Liverpool Glass Drink Beer — **Be polite when you order your pint** Image: Confidentials

“This is an industry that is very dear to us and our Stella Please campaign further builds on the initiatives we have run over the past year to best support hospitality staff whatever the challenges being faced.”

Unfortunately, there’s no participating pubs in Merseyside; the nearest is The Bay Horse in Manchester. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t all be on our best behaviour this Christmas.

So next time you’re at the bar, be polite and ask for Stella, please. (Other brands are available.)