A café has begun describing its Ploughman's Lunch as Ploughperson's to the dismay of some of its customers.
Espresso Corner in Huddersfield describes itself as a "cozy little independent coffee shop" and offers an appetising range of dishes. Tripadvisor gives the vegetarian-friendly café a high rating, 4.5/5, based on more than 120 reviews with 77 people describing their experience as 'excellent'.
Its Ploughperson's offering which is traditionally based around bread, cheese, and fresh or pickled onions has a slight twist with smoked cheddar and pear chutney in the mix. But some customers are not impressed, Huddersfield Live reports.
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Melvyn Stancliffe, 57, who lives in Marsh said: "I went into this cafe for the first time yesterday as I fancied a cup of coffee though when I got in I thought it was a bit expensive. I got my coffee and went to sit down.
"I noticed the menu and had a look at it and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a sandwich called Ploughperson's. I queried it with the waitress. I said: 'Excuse me, what's a Ploughperson's?'
"I didn't think I was being argumentative but she politely declined to engage with me. Another customer objected to my tone which they thought was 'aggressive' and invited me to leave which I did."
Jason Isherwood said: "It's political correctness gone wrong, it is just bloody mad and I wouldn't be eating it after hearing this. I won't even say the phrase."
And Tony Singh, who owns Caffe Venecia on Market Street, said: "I think if it's not broke then don't fix it. These kind of changes can be very confusing for customers once you start going down that road." He joked: "Maybe they could call a Fisherman's Friend a Fisherperson's Friend!"
But community champion, Stephen Knight, of Huddersfield town centre, said: "I think it's a good idea. I'm all in favour of equality. Women have been farming for years so why not?"
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman who called for Kaffir Road in Edgerton to be renamed following claims it had racist connotations, guffawed when told what had taken place. He said: "Quite honestly someone who is in the cafe business can call their dishes what they like. I am not bothered."
In November 2020 BBC's Europe Editor Katya Adler faced ridicule when she referenced 'fisherpeople' instead of 'fishermen'. She used the term because the BBC's style guide was altered with instructions to say it should be used in place of fishermen. The BBC's policy states 'men' should be left out of job roles that aren't exclusively male.
Espresso Corner which has two branches in the town centre has been approached for comment.
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