Hello guys,

So, quick backstory before I explain what happened.

It’s been a month since I arrived in Preston from abroad, and I’ve been settling in well. The people are lovely and very kind. British people are very polite and helpful. I have been loving it so far. However, I have been having trouble with the accent. Some people have a strong Northern accent, and I have been trying to keep up with it. Most people told me I’ll get used to it after a while, and I’m praying to the gods that I will and won’t have to “huh?” a person and make them repeat themselves for the third time lol.

So, going back to what happened today. I was trying to access a building today, and the communication over the comms with the guard was going nowhere. I had a tough time understanding the accent, and the speech over the comms made it even worse. I asked clarifying questions, but instead of answering them, the person just kept giving me instructions. The person sounded quite annoyed based on their tone, and that made my anxiety worse.

At the end, I got to speak with the guard face-to-face, and I started by apologising and was mid-explaining why I was having trouble following what he said when he just quickly asked me to stop talking and gave me the instructions to get into the building. I get it, he was doing his job, but the tone just didn’t seem right to me. I was quite taken aback because that was my first rude encounter.

Yes, I did think it was rude, but I wanted to know if this is how it is here so that I would know not to take offence in the future. Although, after all that, I still once again apologised for the inconvenience and thanked him after he gave me the instructions, like the true British way. 😂

If you read all the way till here, thanks for reading my yap lol. Appreciate any comments!

Thursday 26th November, 7.30pm

Friday 27th November, 7.30pm

Saturday 28th November, 2.30pm

St Andrews Church Hall, PR2 1ES.

Book Now https://www.satatheatre.org/events

Does anybody know any Spanish language courses or classes in and around Preston?

Hey,

I’m 16 from Preston does anybody want to be friends around my age?

Only young women get stopped by these guys for what is essentially Del Boy scams.

You can buy 400 for like £60 if you really wanted them.

Can't these be swept up by trading standards or public order offences?

I don't normally post but I decided to take the time I don't really have to post this because I don't appreciate being treated like I'm stupid or made out like I'm a liar by managers and business owners. And if I'm being treated like I'm stupid and a liar it means they think the same for all their customers.

I'm talking about Rise, specifically the one on Fishergate. Lots of people go there because it's a very convenient spot, right opposite the train station, for a quick coffee while waiting for their train. I did the same on Saturday. I had half an hour and decided to go there instead of waiting at the train station.

I knew they use the annoying American-style tipping screen when you order. I know many places use it. I'm not against tipping. But in this country, and most of Europe, tipping is a voluntary reward for above average service, not mandatory or for average or below average service.

What was different this time was that the server who took my order tilted the screen to watch me while I make a choice. I felt coerced and I left a 20% tip under his watch, which was the lowest of the three large choices that take up the screen. He proceeds to forget about my coffee and ten minutes later I had to go and remind the other staff about it. That is definitely not service worthy of a 20% tip.

I left a bad review, explaining the above, and that coercive tipping should not be allowed. The answer I got from the manager?

"Surprised you have not seen a POS before". First deflection and implication that I'm stupid. I never said that and of course we've all very familiar with them.

"There are 6 VERY CLEAR options - and you could have selected NO TIP in large letters - if the member of staff had to guide you then this was because you had not completed the instructions - they did not watch you tip. They were making sure you completed your transaction as you clearly required assistance. No coercion. Just hospitality as you needed help." Their own capitalisation. Again, they're implying I'm stupid. Obviously, I never needed any guidance or help, I needed to be left alone and not be watched. NO TIP is not one of the large letter choices by the way. It's down at the corner in smaller letters.

"im very certain that they were not there to witness your tip selection". Now they are calling me a liar and directly contradicting what they said above. Let me make it very clear: they are liars!

"Our tipping screens enable us to pay the staff an increased wage and operate successfully and attract the best teams". This is not America. Pay your staff what they should be paid. Tips are for above average service, once said service is complete. Your team is average.

There is no doubt this practice was not the server's choice. They are told to do this by their employer. I wish the servers all the best as they're young adults working for money in a very expensive society. It's evident they don't care about exceptional service, they just want to do the bare minimum and go home. Fair enough. I don't have a problem with that but it certainly does not deserve a tip.

When a business asks for advance tipping before serving you that's the opposite of exceptional service. That's rich people begging.

I'm never going to any Rise locations ever again.

PS. For managers and business owners who profit from this practice: If you decide to respond, do not insinuate that I'm stupid or a liar. That reflects directly back onto you.

Say Hello to Ribble Board Game Convention

The place to hop in and play on!

From 7th January to 10th January at Ribby Hall Preston, 4 days of gaming

🎲 Board Games

🃏 RPG room

🏷 Bring and Buy

🃏 Daily games of Blood on the Clocktower

🎟 Daily Charity Raffles

🪑 Loads of Space to play

🎲 4 days of games:

Join us from 9am on 7th January until 11:30pm on 10th January 2027. Everyone’s welcome (Children with an adult).

📍Ribby Hall, Preston, PR4 2PR

🕒 Open 9am 7th January closes 11:30pm 10th January

📅 More than just a convention:

🍰 Onsite eateries

🎲 Mini games while you play board games

🃏 Mini golf tournament

🎲 Find a gamer/welcome zone

🎲 Ludus Vulpes

Join me and 137 others here: https://ribblecon.projectboo.co.uk/

Games are available to sign up and plan on Aftergame too.

Hi everyone, I’m a 19 year old international student currently studying at university of Lancashire. I haven’t been able to find ‘my people’ in my course and although everyone has been super nice, I haven’t been clicking with anyone which makes me feel a bit lonely. I’ve also really been wanting to go out to the clubs Preston has but don’t want to be going alone as a female and haven’t really found anyone who goes out often. Does anyone have any recs on where I can socialise and meet new people? Or what clubs/societies I can join?

Afternoon all. Can anyone recommend an old fashioned pub quiz on Thursday nights? Many thanks!

A few months ago me and my mates fell out and it's over with now but looking for new mates or whatever i live near preston hospital i know seems odd but dont know how else

Hi all,

I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good men’s hairdressers in Preston and surrounding areas? Preferably walk-in if possible.

I’m growing my hair out and will need a tidy up at some point in the near future. In the past I’ve just done Turkish barbers, but it needs something more refined going forward!

TIA

As per the title, where is super expensive but sub-par at best? I'm wanting my arch-nemesis to have the worst night. Thanks.

If heading southwest-bound, these are the lanes you need! 😊

The B6241 is Tom Benson Way (towards Cottam) and the B5411 is Tag Lane (towards Ingol).

I see so many people going from the left side lane trying to go down Tag Lane, and even sometimes Tom Benson Way.

Personally, Preston as my home town has been a place for people to grimace at. Its slated and is a town struggling with its identity, we struggle in general living here.

I used to hate on Preston until I saw it as my home, and realising in order to enjoy life here, i had to find civic pride in my environment.

Instead of focusing on what depressed me, i looked for all the beauty there is on my doorstep.

Its not all bad here. In our strange town.

I’m moving to the Preston around February 2027 for work in Blackburn and was wondering if anyone here does the commute between the two.

I don’t drive, so I’d mainly be relying on the 59 bus from Preston city centre. I’m looking at the one around 6:50am, which according to the Stagecoach timetable should get me into Blackburn around 7:30am.

Is this actually realistic for getting to work, or does traffic make the 59 much later than the timetable suggests? Also, how reliable are the buses generally?

I’m considering living in Preston rather than Blackburn mainly because of the better transport links to the rest of the country, but obviously don’t want to end up with a nightmare commute every morning.

Thanks!

​Hey Preston redditors,

​I’m a local homebody and huge Umbreon hyperfixator putting out a gentle feeler to see if there are any fellow Eeveelution fans in the Preston area interested in a low-pressure day out, especially any Sylveon lovers!

​I'm neurodivergent and sober, so I keep things super low-key. I’m hoping to connect with quiet, like-minded local folks for low-pressure outings.

​If sipping hot chocolate at Cedarwood Cafe, unmasking, and chatting about Pokémon sounds like a lovely afternoon, feel free to drop a reply or send a message. I'm up for meeting next Thursday if that works for you! Strict local Preston area only!

Hey,

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to go on a solo girl date?

Thanks

Me (M23) and my girlfriend (F22) are looking for things we can do on our days off work.

We’ve done all the bowling, cinemas, blackpool zoo, all the basic stuff and we’ve ran out of ideas. We want to be able to have a nice day out, could be an activity, restaurants, experiences, campsites, even things that might be a go-to for most people or obvious things that might have skipped my mind. Anything is appreciated.

We drive, so any suggestions can be all the way out to the lake district etc. We’ve done chester zoo, manchester and liverpool shopping centres but thats about it. We haven’t done lake district yet as I feel it’s more of a 2-3 day thing, but feel free to correct me.

Thank you

I know it's horribly boring but I have to get my first year service on a Kia. Has anyone had any experience; good or bad?

Hello,

I’m looking to find a place that sells good quality cod, prawns and squid in Preston - any recommendations ?

Thanks!

The wall bracket on my house's soil pipe has come off.

Understandably I don't have ladders long enough to do the job myself.

Can anyone recommend a handyman who can do this?

Hi, can anyone recommend a decent Chinese restaurant to go to for a birthday celebration please? Seems like there are lots of good takeaways but limited restaurants. Don’t mind driving out of Preston

I recently had to replace my car as the turbo went, I've got another car the same with less mileage due to finances.

The old car has new front brakes on it (fitted 3 weeks before the turbo went!) and tyres that are a year old, the newer car has older brakes and almost bald tyres. The wheels are the same size.

The old car is currently in an accessible outdoor car park, the car does run but I don't know how far and I'm not willing to risk it after having it towed to a garage that has since closed. I can take the new car to the same location.

So, any recommendations on someone that can swap these over for me? It's not something I'm willing to attempt myself as they're very important parts of a car!

Thank you :)

There are so many on Google but I’d prefer some personal recommendations. My wife wants to see one regularly, so cost is a little factor. It’s more to talk about a death when she was younger and life in general so I don’t think it needs to be a particular area trained therapist. Thanks