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Original poster

Checkout line-when you know the person in front...

48 replies

BigMy · 15/09/2019 02:48

Just want to guage opinion on this really as I would avoid getting in the same supermarket checkout queue as someone I know. However, today I had a friend (opposite sex) who queued behind me and I didnt notice until they had unpacked everything and I was mostly finished repacking up my stuff. He even made a joke about looking at my stuff.
It did feel a bit odd actually and made me realise that I would have avoided going behind someone I know in order to give them (and myself) privacy. AIBU?!

OP posts:
drankthekoolaid · 15/09/2019 02:56

What on earth were you buying that it mattered if someone saw it?!

I wouldn't care about that and it looks like you avoided the queue small talk. Total non issue.

BrokenLogs · 15/09/2019 03:00

MN is bonkers some times 😂

DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 15/09/2019 03:21

What on Earth?!

anothersecond · 15/09/2019 03:22

Sometimes I'd like some privacy. I once met my boss who had filled their trolly on Tena lady pants as they were on offer. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of but, y'know, a little respect and privacy is a polite and good thing.

anothersecond · 15/09/2019 03:23

To add, I didn't let on that I could see in her trolly.

isabellerossignol · 15/09/2019 03:24

It's the supermarket queue, not the doctor's surgery or the bank.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to be concerned about privacy, either mine or anyone else's. It's no business of mine what sort of food and toilet roll someone else buys. Are you concerned that they'd go home and tell someone else that they saw you buying tampons and oven chips?

EmeraldShamrock · 15/09/2019 03:27

Yes yabu.
Seriously we'll need private supermarkets soon.
It isn't always someone you know nosing in your basket, I often check out the person in front with a basket.

anothersecond · 15/09/2019 03:29

I don't think yabu @BigMy I think it's polite to give others space.

maz7777 · 15/09/2019 03:30

Was your trolley full of lube and XXL condoms? Grin

I wouldn't care if anyone saw what I bought. I hate shopping though and just want to get out as quick as possible.

MaxiPaddy · 15/09/2019 04:02

Better XXL condoms than XXS.

AgentProvocateur · 15/09/2019 04:21

GrinGrin Desperate to know what you were buying that warranted privacy. Your supermarket must be much more exciting than mine.

1forAll74 · 15/09/2019 04:48

You need to go on that supermarket dash programme, whatever it's called, then you could virtually have the shop to yourself.

heveranne · 15/09/2019 05:17

Do you answer your front door OP?

Weezol · 15/09/2019 05:45

I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't like unplanned visitors and will not pick up the phone if I've just sat down to my tea.

However, expecting/granting privacy in the supermarket is an unusual thought pattern. Could it be a symptom of something else going on?

I ask because after a significant trauma some years ago I was stuck in a pattern of hypervigilance for a while and it really is the most bizarre and unsettling feeling.

Heyboyo · 15/09/2019 06:45

This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever read on here.

sparklefarts · 15/09/2019 06:51

I mean his 'checking out your stuff' joke would have made me roll my eyes and I might have felt a bit weird that he was stood there, knowing it was me and not saying hello...actually yeah not saying hello and just looking at you is definitely a bit weird
.
Apart from that no issue with it.

Although to be fair, it wasn't that long ago that myself and a colleague (who I get oh ok with) did a very good job of both pretending we just somehow hadn't seen the other in the super market. When passing each other in the aisle one of us would suddenly be looking at something rather intently
So maybe I do understand your need for supermarket privacy after all!

sparklefarts · 15/09/2019 06:52

This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever read on here

Go trawl through classics. Hours of fun .

UrsulaPandress · 15/09/2019 06:54

I often comment on the person in front's shopping even when I don't know them.

I do sometimes avoid a queue if there is someone in it I don't like, or I avoid my friend's checkout if I'm likely to cry ...

HotChocolateLover · 15/09/2019 07:34

I reckon you were buying a ginormous strap on dildo and some haemorrhoid cream. Come on, nothing to be ashamed of 😂

Clarabellawilliamson · 15/09/2019 07:35

As a secondary school teacher there are sometimes pupils I teach/ taught working on the tills. Although I am friendly and say hello, I would never choose to go through their checkout! So no, I don't think you are totally unreasonable.

nonmerci · 15/09/2019 07:50

I dated someone years ago who worked PT in a supermarket and I remember asking if he ever judged what people bought. He said he judged the person who put a pack of nappies back to buy a bottle of vodka but that was it really.

Nobody cares what you buy in the supermarket, it’s probably not all that interesting.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 15/09/2019 07:57

I have to be careful where I shop because I’m a teacher so I often see children. I am TTC at the moment so I’m buying ovulation tests. I don’t want people I know to see me buying those things.

I am also one who would avoid someone I know in a shop but I am incredibly socially awkward and seeing someone unexpectedly stresses me out.

joblotbubble · 15/09/2019 08:32

As a secondary school teacher there are sometimes pupils I teach/ taught working on the tills. Although I am friendly and say hello, I would never choose to go through their checkout!

That's totally different to not going through a checkout behind someone you know!

I can't even believe anyone would care. Are you worried the people who know you see that you buy value range bread or something!

Privacy issues in the supermarket - heard it all now Grin

joblotbubble · 15/09/2019 08:32

Second paragraph directed at OP

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 15/09/2019 08:34

I've only been embarrassed in the check out when buying condoms (and nothing else so couldn't hide them under other shopping).