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AIBU?

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AIBU to object to an older child sitting directly in a food trolley?

258 replies

KidsDoBetter · 02/07/2026 07:35

Local m&s food hall. An older lady (presumably) grandma - is wheeling around one of the small size metal shopping trolleys. Inside it is a girl about 8 cross-legged (she takes up most of the space obvs) wearing a pair of crocs. The soles of which are filthy (as indeed would be mine). Chatting away and delighted with herself. It was lovely she was enjoying being with her granny. No signs of disability (later saw them in car park).

As they stood beside me I did say “that looks like fun but you do know people put their food in there and you’ve got your shoes in it”. Grandma tutted and said “forget about it” in a slight non-sequitur . But it’s gross right. This was not a baby / toddler seat trolley. Nor was the child any younger than 7 max …

OP posts:
Cappuccino5 · 03/07/2026 00:17

Nos4r2 · 02/07/2026 11:36

Everyone who is saying its ok as the trolleys are not clean, whould they be saying the same thing if covid was still a danger.
I think putting an older child inside a trolly is disgusting. They are not a fun fair ride.l

What on earth has Covid got to do with it?

mrpenny · 02/07/2026 23:26

Imdunfer · 02/07/2026 18:58

Eh? Please explain. Sounds just like a description of the situation to me, and a short cut to not having to answer how old the person was so they could blame a Gen Z ?

OK..let me explain. OP said, ‘older woman’, ‘ granny’, ‘grandma’ and ‘granny’ ..FOur times??? Clear enough?What the hell has her age got to do with it? Always the same on mumsnet

Dpresst · 02/07/2026 22:44

Foxes and birds piss on them they’re not clean.

enjoyinglifenowretired · 02/07/2026 22:29

YANBU . Totally unnecessary. An 8 year old should be walking and actively assisting granny with her shopping, not sitting in the trolley. I can’t imagine it is very comfortable anyway, sitting on the metal base.

Imdunfer · 02/07/2026 18:58

mrpenny · 02/07/2026 12:20

MOre casual ageism

Eh? Please explain. Sounds just like a description of the situation to me, and a short cut to not having to answer how old the person was so they could blame a Gen Z ?

Skybluepinky · 02/07/2026 16:27

Having seen a child fall out of one, shocks me how many people think it’s safe.

FairyBatman · 02/07/2026 15:49

YABU to think it’s any of you business. Do you have any idea how filthy food packaging is - even in M&S!

TheAmberKoala · 02/07/2026 15:45

LilacReader · 02/07/2026 11:25

I think this comment is a little OTT. There are trollies designed for older children to sit in if needed but if they can climb into a trolley then they can't have such a condition. And sitting in where people place their food is nothing like being pushed around in a stroller.

Well obviously if there was a disability trolley you would use it, but we have no way of knowing if there was one available in the OPs situation.

saraclara · 02/07/2026 15:29

You were totally unreasonable to address the child. If you wanted to (pointlessly) comment, you should have spoken quietly to the adult.

But yes, it's never occurred to me for minute that supermarket trolleys are clean. And I seen to remember that the handles are more bacteria ridden than pretty much anything else that we touch.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 02/07/2026 15:10

I would not do it because it’s dangerous and filthy dirty but wouldn’t be worrying about dirty shoes on the metal.

BringBackCatsEyes · 02/07/2026 14:28

IffWhite · 02/07/2026 12:40

So sad, I never let mine stand in trolley.

More impressed with the granny pushing a trolley plus 8 year old. Im under 50 and my pelvic floor would hate that!

You shouldn’t need to accept your pelvic floor is shot. Are you doing anything to remedy it?

cluckinell2 · 02/07/2026 14:14

flagpolesitta · 02/07/2026 13:29

Why though?
The people who go around eye rolling and tutting at people are beyond fucking exhausting, get a life.

This. I’m pleased to see 90% of responses to this have been normal and sensible.

This was in response to my reply. I said I would eye roll and tut and the op and her stupid judgey comment not at the grandma. I think the poster misunderstood.

Newname26 · 02/07/2026 13:38

NarnianQueen · 02/07/2026 07:38

I would assume all trolleys and baskets are dirty tbh
The handles probably have more bacteria on them than the bottom of a kids shoes!

Did you need to remind me of that?
Yes trolleys are minging and never cleaned.

flagpolesitta · 02/07/2026 13:29

Why though?
The people who go around eye rolling and tutting at people are beyond fucking exhausting, get a life.

This. I’m pleased to see 90% of responses to this have been normal and sensible.

aWeeCornishPastie · 02/07/2026 13:25

You really need to get a life OP

Balloonhearts · 02/07/2026 13:19

starfishmummy · 02/07/2026 13:09

YANBU to not like it - I don't either but I would neber say anything.

Me either. Ridiculously dangerous and I'd judge them but it's their child to raise or bury. Not my problem.

starfishmummy · 02/07/2026 13:09

YANBU to not like it - I don't either but I would neber say anything.

HolyHannah · 02/07/2026 13:09

Loulou4022 · 02/07/2026 12:29

Not all disabilities are visible!!!!!!!!!

Quite.

Hopefully soon, the trolleys with the large child seats will be available in all supermarkets.

HolyHannah · 02/07/2026 13:07

KidsDoBetter · 02/07/2026 07:40

True. But probs not dog shit. or maybe I guess.

I am not germ phobic but I did think a whole large child plus shoes in a trolley seemed a bit daft. Surprised no one on the staff told her to get out even just on safety basis as a PP flagged. But hey.

Rat urine.

Because of the smell of food on the trolleys, rats are all over them at night.

Cherrysoup · 02/07/2026 12:59

It is pretty disgusting. I would ask why a child without a disability needs to sit in the trolley if they can walk ok. And where do you put your stuff?!

Nocameltoeleggingsplease · 02/07/2026 12:44

KidsDoBetter · 02/07/2026 07:40

True. But probs not dog shit. or maybe I guess.

I am not germ phobic but I did think a whole large child plus shoes in a trolley seemed a bit daft. Surprised no one on the staff told her to get out even just on safety basis as a PP flagged. But hey.

Toddlers could have human shit coming out of nappies
Are you just getting food straight out of your trolley and eating it? No packaging?

IffWhite · 02/07/2026 12:40

KidsDoBetter · 02/07/2026 07:41

Wow. That’s so incredibly tragic.

So sad, I never let mine stand in trolley.

More impressed with the granny pushing a trolley plus 8 year old. Im under 50 and my pelvic floor would hate that!

user45789032 · 02/07/2026 12:39

Are you the same poster who objected to the toddler being placed on the cafe counter while the mum paid yesterday?

Loulou4022 · 02/07/2026 12:29

Not all disabilities are visible!!!!!!!!!

mrpenny · 02/07/2026 12:28

Do you complain when people walk in and out of hospitals/ GP surgeries with filthy shoes, let children stand on chairs in these places, use the touch screens to check in or sneeze loudly or spit right next to people in a public place because, to my mind, there are thousands of other examples that are a far greater risk of infection.