Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Have you tried talking to these people - more than once? I used to shop in SMBS and the Cheese Block regularly, and found that, once we'd become acquainted, everyone was nice as pie! Do you expect retailers to fake a cheeky chappy smiley attitude with everyone that comes through their door? Go in to either shop on a Saturday and see the big queues, arsy customers and then ask yourself "Could I keep up a positive attitude for every single customer in these circumstances?" Probably not - you'd be too busy trying to get everyone served as efficiently as possible. Midweek, mid-morning - they have time for chat. Otherwise, they're concentrating on getting you served. As for the derisory stare - that just sounds like rampant paranoia.


I can't be the only one who thinks these are the two best shops in ED - can I?

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6675
Share on other sites

I have to say I agree with Paul. I love SMB and get on really well with all the guys there. Sometimes they are happy sometimes not. That's life no? Also got offered a free haircut in there last week by Village Hair. Apparently on Tuesday they are short of men for practise so offer free haircuts and acost you if you loiter to much...

Really good haircut actually

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6679
Share on other sites

I don't mind grumpy retail staff if the product's good (used to work in retail so I get it), and to be honest I get weirder stares in EDD, where the cheese isn't as good or as varied and they have no samosas. This last one is very very important. Cheese Block samosas rule.


(and yes they are the same company as smbs)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6682
Share on other sites

There is no doubting the quality produce and as much as I would like to I don't get in there enough to build the relationship with friendly chats. Yes, it must be a real pain to deal with arsey customers but isn't there something in attempting to deal with each customer as an individual for that few minutes that the transaction is conducted? That's not paranoria that's just having a sense that your custom might be valued even if one is not able to get in there mid morning, mid week.
Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6688
Share on other sites

bailey Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> these guys are okay just a little aloof, agreed

> could be more friendly,

> nothing compared to the moody guy from SMBS ( same

> company ? )

> the middle aged unshaven guy, think he's the

> bossman, now he is

> one misantrope and the younger guys are wicked.

> All a bit strange.



The middle aged unshaven guy - the other day, he came up to me and started telling me what produce was particularly good that day (he'd been to the market that morning) and having a joke with me. I also once asked his advice about something I wanted to buy and he was really helpful.


To be honest, they're not the sort to shout a smiley greeting to everyone who comes in which can give the impression of aloofness, but if you get talking to them they are really friendly. I suppose just as often as we get aloofness from shopowners, they must get just as much aloofness (and rudeness) from a number of their customers.


I actually find SMB and Cheese Block to be more helpful than East Dulwich Deli, so I will continue to use them (but the queues at SMB on Saturdays do my head in!)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6692
Share on other sites

Jo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I don't mind grumpy retail staff if the product's

> good (used to work in retail so I get it), and to

> be honest I get weirder stares in EDD, where the

> cheese isn't as good or as varied and they have no

> samosas. This last one is very very important.

> Cheese Block samosas rule.

>

> (and yes they are the same company as smbs)


word

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-6705
Share on other sites

Chartwell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Yes, it must be a real pain to deal with

> arsey customers but isn't there something in

> attempting to deal with each customer as an

> individual for that few minutes that the

> transaction is conducted? That's not paranoria

> that's just having a sense that your custom might

> be valued even if one is not able to get in there

> mid morning, mid week.


I'd agree with you absolutely, Chartwell, if these fantastically popular and successful shops were just setting up - but they're not! They've got more business than they can handle, and they've probably (intuitively) worked out that they're better off just getting on with business at peak periods, spending time chatting when they're less busy, and accepting that if this loses them the business of more, er, sensitive types, then it's not really worth worrying about.


And they're not just the same business, they're FAMILY! So that sudden death was a wife, a mother, and an auntie to the guys working in both shops - and of course, they worked right through it - they've got proper stiff upper lips! I say big it up for independent retailers - they love their customers - they're the best!


And yes, their samosas rule, and so does their astounding foccaccia!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-7054
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Cheese block is brilliant, sure they don't go all Yankee on you and fawn when you deign to enter their shop but frankly I can't stand that cheery C**p when it's obvious they don't mean it. We've lived in ED since 1998 and have been going to both to the Cheese block and SMBS for years and have never had any issues at all. the (Cheese Blocks) boss is also a fabulous cook, knows more about all things food/cheese related than most have forgotten and has a remarkable appetite for Lemoncello, which is nice. Personally I don't think EDD does anything worthy of note, poor ingredients, poor staff, poor prices. Just my point of view of course.
Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/338-cheese-block/#findComment-11917
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...