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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
Imseriouslyyouguys · 02/07/2026 09:15

All the food is packaged though. You’re getting a bit worked up over something that isn’t really an issue.

Honeyhonayboo · 02/07/2026 09:15

sharkstale · 02/07/2026 09:10

Came here to say this.

My 16 month old won't stay in the seat. I mostly get my food delivered, but when I need to go to the supermarket, I have to put him in the trolley with snacks otherwise it's impossible.

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I turned around to pick up two things of milk once and when I turned back around my 1.5 year old was standing on the seat. Almost had a heart attack. Way, way more dangerous than the much smaller risk of a trolley tipping.

Ibrox · 02/07/2026 09:12

I'd be more annoyed at the crocs. Horrible, ugly, gormless looking monstrosities.

sharkstale · 02/07/2026 09:10

Honeyhonayboo · 02/07/2026 07:53

A child over 1 can stand and climb on the set with much more ease than a trolley would tip from a child sat in the main compartment.

Anyone who has ever put an active toddler into the trolley seat regularly would attest to the same.

Edited
Show quote history

Came here to say this.

My 16 month old won't stay in the seat. I mostly get my food delivered, but when I need to go to the supermarket, I have to put him in the trolley with snacks otherwise it's impossible.

JustJugglingCats · 02/07/2026 09:09

I also hate to see children riding in trolleys, makes me cringe. Not from a hygiene point of view which most people on here are commenting on, but from a safety point. I work in a supermarket. Accidents happen, the floor is hard, shelf edges are quite sharp. As far as I know, no child has died where I work, but trolleys do tip over and injuries do occur. And I know someone will come along and say they pushed all six of their 99th percentile kids in the trolley and never had an accident, but it does happen.

Upstartled · 02/07/2026 09:08

DearMissMapp · 02/07/2026 09:05

Says somebody who does-or has done-the exact same thing.

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No. I wouldn't do it. But I do think it's busybody behaviour to chastise people for actions that have no effect on your own life.

DearMissMapp · 02/07/2026 09:07

bigsoftcocks · 02/07/2026 08:46

I can’t believe you said something.

We all need to call out bad behaviour whenever possible.

Well done, OP.

Crumpetring · 02/07/2026 09:06

I don’t let my own children sit in them but I wouldn’t comment on someone else doing it.

DearMissMapp · 02/07/2026 09:06

waterrat · 02/07/2026 09:02

god get a life op honestly.

Says somebody who does-or has done-the exact same thing.

Filthy.

DearMissMapp · 02/07/2026 09:05

Asterales · 02/07/2026 07:37

Gosh, what a busybody.

Says somebody who does-or has done-the exact same thing.

MightyGoldBear · 02/07/2026 09:03

I rarely take mine in the shops maybe once a year and it's absolute needs must if we are on holiday maybe. I would be all for more supermarkets providing a good number of safe disability trolleys for children. I only ever see one lonely wheelchair friendly trolley.

Imdunfer · 02/07/2026 09:02

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 …

I hate seeing children sat inside trolleys. I have the same problem when people sit their babies on tables in cafes and restaurants.

waterrat · 02/07/2026 09:02

god get a life op honestly.

CateyeKate · 02/07/2026 09:00

I don’t like to see this either op, more for the safety concerns over anything. There are trolleys specifically for small children and disabled people and if someone is not disabled or two big to fit in the child part of a trolley then they should be walking.

Upstartled · 02/07/2026 08:57

Not my trolley, not my problem.

EverythingGolden · 02/07/2026 08:56

But what food is in there that isn’ either packaged or you would wash anyway? You don’t really know what might have been running over the trollies or the food in storage.

I am more concerned having heard about the safety aspects of it.

Lottie6712 · 02/07/2026 08:56

If you really wanted to say something, then I think you should have spoken to a member of staff instead of trying to police customers yourself. Defo agree trolleys are quite grim anyway.

TooOrangey · 02/07/2026 08:56

It’s never occurred to me that my trolley might be sterile, or even particularly clean. Are you really concerned about hygiene here?

The child might well have SN.

VestPantsandSocks · 02/07/2026 08:55

StrictlyCoffee · 02/07/2026 08:32

I’m surprised at the responses. It’s slovenly and lazy behaviour. The trollies are meant to carry your shopping, not people. I never did this with my own kids. And in one of the smaller trolleys that are quite high up, potentially at high risk of tipping over and causing injury.

Agree.

Food hygiene standards exist for a reason.

ShanghaiDiva · 02/07/2026 08:55

My thoughts:
I assume all trolleys are dirty
its a safety issue
grandma’s response was not a non- sequitur.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 02/07/2026 08:55

You're being unreasonable if you put unwrapped food into a trolley that is kept outside and open to pollution, detritus and wildlife.

A little girls shoes are minor in comparison.

FlyingApple · 02/07/2026 08:54

Well I suppose it's an easy target for you to have a go when it's just a grandma and small child.

Frenchfried · 02/07/2026 08:54

It’s a bit naive to assume trolleys are clean. Chicken packaging is almost always contaminated for instance. I can’t imagine a child can add much more than is already there,

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 02/07/2026 08:52

Happymchappyface · 02/07/2026 07:40

This happened in a supermarket near me when I was little. The child died.

I hate to see kids in trollies at the supermarket.

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I do, for safety reasons not hygiene.

I tell my DC that they're taking big to go inside the trolley, and if they had an accident, it could be serious. I dread to think what head injury etc might occur if they fell out onto the hard supermarket floor.

TooHotMyIcecreamHasMelted · 02/07/2026 08:49

I agree with you OP, but sadly we’re in a minority.

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