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Original poster

Anyone else feel weird buying things from small shops?

34 replies

ToMyRoom · 22/08/2019 11:58

I always feel more self conscious going into small shops because I feel like the owners will remember me more.

There’s a local newsagents which sells a really good pick and mix selection, I go in to buy them sometimes but always feel a bit stupid buying the same things — and feel like I’ll be judged for buying crap— so I end up sticking a newspaper in to buy so it doesn’t look like I’ve just gone in to buy sweets Blush

Anyone else feel like this or just me overthinking?

OP posts:
kenandbarbie · 22/08/2019 12:00

No! I like it, personal service! Although if I don't like the shop owner, or they're a bit miserable or they're pushy then I wouldn't go back.

EmpressJewel · 22/08/2019 12:01

I see it as just trying to support a local business. I guess the more people that go in, the better.

NeedingAdvice29 · 22/08/2019 12:03
Hmm

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General shopping
WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 22/08/2019 12:03

You're over thinking! They'll enjoy your custom, honestly.

Unshriven · 22/08/2019 12:05

I refuse to use our corner shop.

£1.80 for a pint of milk, and £3 for a loaf of sliced bread.

I wouldn't care what the owners thought of my shopping though.

Tartyflette · 22/08/2019 12:06

They really, really won't care what you're buying -- after all, they are selling it!
They want to sell them, it's their business and the same could be said for porn mags, alcohol, cigs and the like. Sweets are very low down on that list!

Frownette · 22/08/2019 12:08

£1.80...? For a pint? That's outrageous. It's 51p at mine.

No I don't mind small shops unless they're too attentive and won't let you browse in peace

ComtesseDeSpair · 22/08/2019 12:12

I like that the family - not relevant, but a multi-generation Sikh family - who own my local shop recognise me and know that I usually buy the same things (they do a particular brand of aubergine chutney I can’t find anywhere else as well as a large range of Eastern European meats and cheeses.)

They will say “as you must know, very good in a sandwich, this” about my pastrami, or “we stir a spoonful of this into our lamb biryanis when we cook them” about my chutney 😀 It’s nice, it makes me feel like I’m part of a community and other people’s lives!

pottedshrimps · 22/08/2019 12:19

I don't like smaller shops where they watch you intensely whilst you browse so you feel guilty for not buying anything.

SomeAfternoonDelight · 22/08/2019 12:28

Oh no I love being remembered. Me and DP often do to naaaaice restaurants and are often remembered! There’s 5 I can say now where people have remembered! It’s brilliant. Embrace it! Infact get it to the point you can say ‘just the usual please name how’s today going?’

StCharlotte · 22/08/2019 12:30

We used to run a village shop and I did notice that it was generally only men who bought chocolate (and a surprising amount of it I might add).

I then realised women probably didn't buy from us for the same reasons you have laid out OP. Also, I'm guesssing they were buying their larger bars of Galaxy from the anonymous supermarket Grin

Doobydoo · 22/08/2019 12:32

I am surprised at how many small shops have fairly miserable attitudes. I know people are strugglung but all the more reason to make it a pleasant experience. 2 pet shops round here have owners who are miserable..I do not use them now.

Doobydoo · 22/08/2019 12:32

Struggling!

RaininSummer · 22/08/2019 12:39

I always feel very pressured to buy (even if all the owner does is say hello) especially in little craft or yarn shops. It makes me feel that i can't go in to browse without making a purchase even if nothing takes my fancy.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 22/08/2019 12:41

We had only just entered a local shop recently when the assistant honed in on us with an "Are you ok there?" We'd literally just walked in the door! We browsed for a couple of minutes and then as we were heading towards the door, another customer came in and the assistant scooted over with "Are you ok there?"

I don't mind small shops if I don't feel I'm being watched!

PrincessPeachy23 · 22/08/2019 12:42

I work for a small business, I can assure you we love having return customers! It makes us so happy that customers return as it means we are doing something right. Would never judge customers on what they come in for, just happy they like us enough to keep coming back Smile

Beautiful3 · 22/08/2019 12:49

I used to hate getting things from the corner shop because the (lady) shop keeper used to always try and sell me a bottle of nail polish every single time.

chocolaterain · 22/08/2019 14:03

I work for a small shop and it's lovely getting to know regulars. You get the regulars who love to chat and the ones who don't, and some miseries but overall it's so so nice.

Please don't feel judged (I know what you mean though I'm the same when I go into a tiny shop)

augustagain · 22/08/2019 14:10

I always feel very pressured to buy (even if all the owner does is say hello) especially in little craft or yarn shops. It makes me feel that i can't go in to browse without making a purchase even if nothing takes my fancy

This is me. Coupled with the fact I live in a very, very small area and I know many of the craft people to say hello to (one is my neighbour). I feel like I should be supporting them, but I can't afford to.

SilverySurfer · 22/08/2019 14:42

No, of course I don't. Supermarkets didn't even exist when I was a child and it's perfectly normal and a good idea to support independent shops. You'll miss them when they have gone.

MoaningMinnie1 · 22/08/2019 14:43

Can't say I've felt like that, not that I go out shopping much but if I do, I prefer smaller shops.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 22/08/2019 14:45

I thought that this week when I spent a tenner on Milky Way Magic Stars in our local corner shop (to be fair, they are very overpriced at £3.50 a bag). I will now have to avoid going in for a while in case they think "there's that fat greedy cow after her chocolate fix again" (which is true).

Sagradafamiliar · 22/08/2019 15:43

One of the many reasons I'm going to hell is because rather than supporting small local coffee shops ect, I pick a larger chain almost every time. I'm an awkward cow and don't like chit chat and prefer being left alone but in smaller places, you can hear a pin drop and can't have private conversations, and the owners ways hover round either talking or making themselves available. Which I know is awful but I just want my coffee/whatever else.

Sagradafamiliar · 22/08/2019 15:44

Always* not ways

janj2301 · 22/08/2019 17:40

I have this with stalls in markets or craft fairs I want to have a look at what's on sale but feel intimidated to buy sonething