To be irritated by Asda card woman?

Which is fine - but if the the shops implementing this see a fall in sales then the scheme will not be seen as 'successful'. Bluntly - if they are losing customers. This risks the continuation of the scheme itself - which is an awful and avoidable shame, and the worst outcome for everyone!

But like when some people tried to get Tunnocks cancelled - other people bought more Tunnocks.

I'd go to Asda more to support the scheme and others would go less.

I can see why that would be irritating tbh, if you’ve declined her help and she continues picking out cards. Perhaps you just need to be firmer next time?

I hate making small talk, I don’t want to be rude to people so I’ll smile and nod but I don’t really like chatting to strangers so if it was me I’m afraid I’d just be buying my cards elsewhere.

I think it’s great if Asda are helping people with work experience but if it’s for more than a few weeks then I hope they’re paying them and giving them more variety than just standing in one aisle where people don’t really ‘need’ assistance.

This is a good point which is often overlooked. I have ASD and this would be extremely stressful for me. I would end up going elsewhere, but that would be very irritating if I was in the OP's situation of being very busy and being able to get everything else I needed in that one store. I have to avoid shops that I know tend to have charity representatives or similar outside, even if it means going far out of my way.

I feel for the volunteer here. Obviously not privy to her circumstances but I’d hope that volunteer positions would be enriching but it sounds more like she’s been shunted off to somewhere quiet out the way.

I voted YANBU purely because the ones in my local asda (not volunteers btw) seem to have an issue with shifting so you can actually see the fucking cards. Mind you that mentality applies to most of their staff. 😆

I know she’s being kind, but I totally get you. I have a similar response when I go into Pets@Home.

Every time you go to pay, perhaps with a skittish dog that’s just been to the vet up stairs, they insist upon asking for your loyalty card and pushing you to dig it out. If you say you don’t have one, they push you into signing up, if you do they expect you to fumble around with your phone and find it and/or check for vouchers (while the queue grows behind you). I just want to flipping pay for my bag of dog food and go. I pretty much have to say that now, and hate that it seems rude, but I have better things to do…

I hate self serve tills, but I’m may be coming round to them…

I'm very reserved and just like to get on with things myself and when they have helpers at the till, usually teenagers, offering to pack your shopping for a donation to their club etc, I always politely say no thank you and explain I'd rather pack myself but I will give you a donation, and I always do. They always seem happy with this. This lady sounds very enthusiastic and I wouldn't want to dampen her spirits, so I'd just say "thanks but I'd rather just look on my own today". She must have had some training and been told that not everyone will want help.

From the flip side. My sister has severe learning difficulties and the mental age of a 4/5 year old. She works at an ikea where she checks that all the pencils and tape measures dotted about the shop are in order. She loves to chat to people and gets so much joy from someone spending 30 seconds just indulging her. She would be incredibly upset if someone ignored her, but we have taught her that she must leave people to it, if they say no thank you. However, she would still be upset about it.

just a perspective from those ‘Asda card women’ I would hate it if someone was online moaning about the ‘annoying ikea woman’ and calling her nuts. She literally just wants, and deserves to feel like a valued member of society

User56785I'd rather go elsewhere for my cards if it made me uncomfortable to talk to the volunteer and live in a society where big corporations are implementing schemes like these.

Which is fine - but if the the shops implementing this see a fall in sales then the scheme will not be seen as 'successful'. Bluntly - if they are losing customers. This risks the continuation of the scheme itself - which is an awful and avoidable shame, and the worst outcome for everyone!

The solution is to place people in appropriate situations and implement proper monitoring/training so there is no awkwardness resulting in shoppers quietly going elsewhere.

Have some compassion and then view it as your good deed of the day.

Exactly

The scheme is a great idea.

But there still needs to be some controls.

Rotating locations, assigned a "mentor" and partnered with another member of staff, positioned there at different times of the day...

So it’s fair that ASDA exclude some people with disabilities then?

I think people should be able to choose where they shop.

If @MolkosTeenageAngst doesn't want to buy cards at Asda because they don't want to talk to a volunteer who is chatty then they should shop for cards in another shop where they feel comfortable.

I wasn't aware that Asda did this volunteer scheme but the benefit to those people who are in the scheme must be absolutely enormous. I'd rather go elsewhere for my cards if it made me uncomfortable to talk to the volunteer and live in a society where big corporations are implementing schemes like these.

OP definitely needs a badge like that since she can't even spare 30 seconds from her extremely hectic lifestyle 🙄

Your second paragraph is vile.

And that would entirely negate the whole point of her role. Maybe ASDA thought that, on the whole, shoppers to their store are kind and supportive of the people they place in volunteer roles? The volunteers do have someone assigned to 'manage' them in the same way you have a manager at your place of work. Presumably your manager doesn't shadow you constantly but allows you to go about your day doing your job and intervenes when it's deemed appropriate.

I understand what you mean - that's why I'm suggesting having a closing line, e.g. "Right, great to see you but I must go now" or even "I don't need any help choosing a card today, but thanks for offering!". Either way, I think I'm just saying smile, chat and be a bit more patient. Believe me, I'm no saint, but this is what I'd do.

Not everyone wants to be harassed

Call me a heartless bitch but I would say something to a manager OP. Even if she has SEN she can be taught appropriate ways to behave (ie. not speaking to every single shopper that comes down the card aisle). Or perhaps they need to swap her round different areas so she’s not always by the cards? There are things that can be done here.

I would be concerned to cause her no upset and would do the chat ect. but i would find it awkward.

If she was there all the time it would make me do my card shopping elsewhere.

My choice/my loss ect. but that is very much not the desired outcome of the scheme.

The scheme is a very good one, and deserves to succeed. In order for this to happen improved monitoring is obviously needed in this case to avoid anything negative coming out of it.

But surely after that she will start trying to help with the card selection? I think interacting with her will make her think you want her help?

It's easy, just smile, say hello (not weird to do this as you see her frequently) ask her how her day is going, tell her something about yours, and then say "Right, it's great to see you again, but I've a million things to do today, see you next time?". It will take you 30 seconds and may make her day.

The OP seems to have the insight and sensitivity of a gnat.

So it’s fair that ASDA exclude some people with disabilities then?

Yes, you might have autism/a bereavement to cope with/social anxiety but if you're in ASDA, independently doing your own shopping, without the need for a support person then you are obviously 'functioning' in the world in a way that the woman in the ASDA card aisle is not and never will be able to.

But... she IS out there functioning without a support worker?

Because if she had a support worker with her then they would be able to gently dissuade her from continuing to harass someone who has clearly expressed their desire not to be bothered...

The level of sneering 'not for me thank you' posters in this thread is utterly depressing.

Yes, you might have autism/a bereavement to cope with/social anxiety but if you're in ASDA, independently doing your own shopping, without the need for a support person then you are obviously 'functioning' in the world in a way that the woman in the ASDA card aisle is not and never will be able to.

Her job (because it is a job) is very important to her and it makes her feel proud of herself. It gives her some self esteem and makes her feel less 'different'.

My advice to all the people who find ASDA's approach to giving adults with LD/SEN jobs would be to 'get over yourself and look at the bigger picture.