God, some people are LOVING this, aren't they?...

[Miljea]

They're, for example, the local Tesco queue 'managers' who are actually doing this ✋ in people's faces, well within 2m of them, eyes ablazing, missionary zeal within their hearts- who are using zero common sense, when everyone is already doing the best they can in a Tesco Local, to stay apart.

You invaded my space (and that of the 'one out' I was about to replace by being 'one in') in dashing out 🤚 and stopping me entering your store because I stepped forward to wipe the handles of my basket. A good 2m from anyone, except you. As invited to do so, by your big sign.

You stood in 4 people's space. Me, you, the couple exiting the shop.

Use your intelligence. Like stand outside the store door, like your colleague suggested to you, under a balcony, on a beautiful day. And like the usual security guard manages.

We're all under pressure. We're all stressed. And in classic MN fashion, I PPE up close to actual Covid patients, every day.

So don't be a dick, Tesco assistant.

They seem ok where I am. I am surprised they don't bark at me. I am a bit of a bumbler (not helped when shelves were very low and not sure what they had) I guess if I am honest I did not keep to the 'way around' as I forgot things and went back for them. Annoying to other customers, I know. Still, if I keep forgetting to dye my hair I can be in silly old fool category!

My sons friend is a petite 18 year old girl who has men of six foot plus giving her the most horrible abuse
She's feisty generally and takes no nonsense but this has nearly broken her
Im can assure the op that when she has to tell people firmly to queue and keep a good distance I don't blame her if she sounds a bit firm to say the least

@Sanderling74 I totally agree! I was saying to my DH yesterday that I will definitely be re-evaluating where I shop after all this is over, based upon the attitude and behaviour of certain retail chains.

I cant actually believe someone wrote a complaint letter about poor key workers who are probably terrified manning those queues. What a dick.

We have two Tesco Metros near us.

I'm now going to the other one because they have a handle on how to manage their shop during 'all this'.

My DC used to work, a year ago, at the store I mentioned in my OP; he still knows two part timers who work there (students).

I didn't tell him about what happened; however, he knows that we'll now be using the other store because, as I said, the staff there are way less wound up and barky about Covid.

This evening, he was chatting to one of his old coworkers there, who told him that the (new, standing in) manager had told the staff yesterday that it wasn't a matter of choice where they stood when queue manning, the circle on the outside (covered) pavement was it. I would obviously have liked to know if that particular person was there, but couldn't as DC doesn't know about the 'incident'.

As for those demanding to know if I feel good about complaining about those amazing 'key workers'; I say that yes, if someone finds themselves in that role, they either need to step up or bow out. The person I complained about was completely out of her depth, manifesting itself in putting people in harm's way due to her decision to manage a queue from an obscure, hidden position.

I am glad that decision has been taken from her.

You sounding a bit obsessed now.

Those workers (if they even remember you) would likely be pleased to know you’re darkening the door of the other store now.

I work in retail and its absolute hell at the moment. People being rude and getting daily abuse. Why dont you try it op. Also risking my health and my family so people can have food. Working 12 hour shifts for days straight and getting 1 day off. Oh yes pure fun isnt it.

My local Tesco has signs all over telling us to not abuse their staff, never had those before. Having worked in retail for a good decade or so previously I can only imagine how shitty some customers have been the last however many weeks.

Have you ever reacted to a situation badly OP? Ever snapped or spoken sharply? We all do, this woman is just as human as you.

I know when I feel embarrassed or humiliated I feel angry which leads me to interpret others behaviour as worse than my own. Maybe that is what happened here.

It sounds as though you've blown this all out of proportion. It isn't 100% clear from your opening post, but maybe you walked into the store before the customer you were replacing had fully left?
These are difficult times. You, being on the front line should know this. This incident really isn't worth so much anger.

I guess I was made angry because I was loudly humiliated by this person , as I entered the Tesco, as the previous customer had very much left; because she had placed herself inside the store door, out of sight of the queue (thus, me), when every previous queue minder has stood outside (under cover) where they can see both those queueing and those about to leave. As I stated in my OP.

She then, having humiliated me, demanded I obey her by stepping back, to obey her, towards a) her, b) those attempting to leave the store, and c) the person who'd stepped forward into my vacated space.

Her need for authority trumped everyone's safety.

She completely mishandled the situation, but rather than, quick-wittedly, spotting that the problem was the queue couldn't see her as she was around the corner of the doorway, hidden by a flower stand and the window stickers, thus might have walked outside, as her colleague politely suggested, chose to harangue me.

However. It has been resolved. The queue minder now stands in the intelligent spot, outside, confirmed my my DC's ex-co-worker, on a floor sticker.

I'm avoiding the store for the time being .

And yes, I understand her fears. As I PPE up everyday at work to image Covid ITU patients.

I shall close by answering the last 3 posts:

Celstialspanking

"My local Tesco has signs all over telling us to not abuse their staff, never had those before. Having worked in retail for a good decade or so previously I can only imagine how shitty some customers have been the last however many weeks."

I didn't abuse her, I apologised. I explained, as she shrieked at me to 'get back!' (but not 'back' away from her, but 'back' outside the store, (as she, hidden... had not 'invited' me in) and in doing so, was demanding I walked a) back towards her, b) towards the people exiting the store, and c) the person who had stepped forward into my place in the queue. I was not 'shitty', I apologised, telling her I had not seen her, hidden as she was. In a place no other queue manager had stood (as the others stand outside). Which was what her co-worker, clearly suggested to her, right then, that ' In this lovely weather, I like to manage the queue from outside' hint.

Emeeno

"Have you ever reacted to a situation badly OP? Ever snapped or spoken sharply? We all do, this woman is just as human as you.

I know when I feel embarrassed or humiliated I feel angry which leads me to interpret others behaviour as worse than my own. Maybe that is what happened here."

No, I didn't 'interpret' her behaviour as worse than my own. It very clearly was. I didn't disobey her as she was not visible to disobey.

Pingu

"It sounds as though you've blown this all out of proportion. It isn't 100% clear from your opening post, but maybe you walked into the store before the customer you were replacing had fully left?
These are difficult times. You, being on the front line should know this. This incident really isn't worth so much anger."

No, I walked in as one left, as there was, apparently, no one managing the queue. These are difficult times. I, on the front line know this. Believe me, I keep Social Distancing!

Which is why I am perhaps less forgiving of the way this store assistant behaved. She shrieked, while lunging forward, she humiliated me. Everyone looked, and, you know what, after my shifts, where I'm thinking, in my PPE 'Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck'- why is no one suggesting she might not consider my position?

Or, in reality, could it be that despite all our pretty MN words about 'equality', as she is a 'mere shop worker', we can consider her incapable of considering the affect of her words, and actions on others thus is forgiven. But the HCP, hurt and humiliated by her actions -should reflect. As she is 'the bigger person'.

Which is it to be?