Commando AD awareness for donut bum dogs

[InsaneInTheViralMembrane]

Phew!

@GrumpiestOldWoman

It's a shame for the shops affected but ...

No it's a shame for everyone, including you. The problem is that if everyone does this your quality of life in future will be negatively affected. The economy is a network and if one area suffers enough then eventually everyone does.

Some people won't be spending money in shops because they can't afford it and this will be a big enough problem without others doing it as a point of principle.

Do you spend money on things that make you unhappy?

(I mean, physically going out to places you hate and spending money, not like paying the gas bill, that doesn't make anyone happy!)

Many businesses are going beyond the government requirements

I don't think the government requirements are well enough understood to know that. If a business gets it wrong then there are big implications including being unable to trade, so I understand why they would want to be absolutely certain even if it means going a bit further than common sense might dictate. Who wants HSE on their doorstep?!

I daresay if masks become mandatory here, the police will be lurking in supermarket car parks, never mind the dementors inside the stores. It is what it is. HSE lol my friends husband is one, we have had many a disagreement over the years, but his heart is in the right place he has seen some grim sights in factories of staff with arms, scalps torn off because employers removed guards, they slow things down doncha know.

It is a tricky one, as of course I do want to spend to support the economy. But I will not spend in places that make the experience unpleasant. That may make me selfish, but as a parent of three young children I have limited leisure time and will not be using it on things that I find miserable.

totally with you on the withholding spending. It's a shame for the shops affected but it's the only little bit of power/control I have left. I was never into shipping centres etc but I used to spend a lot of money in cafes/garden centre/picking up bits in m&s. Not anymore. ... No takeaways either.

Sorry this read more like a boycotting to me/exercising power, and I'm pointing out that if everyone did the same you would ultimately suffer, as would we all.

What does an unpleasant retail experience have to do with takeaways?

I’ve just been to a farm/tack shop (one on an actual farm rather than twee farmers market type place) and not a mask to be seen. It was a much more pleasant and normal experience than the ten hot, sweaty, uncomfortable minutes I spent paying for petrol and buying milk in a service station earlier. There’s no way I’m going to do anything other than essential shopping while masks are mandatory - if shopping is an unpleasant experience I’m just going to avoid it if possible. I’m not going to lie back and think of the economy ...

@GrumpiestOldWoman

totally with you on the withholding spending. It's a shame for the shops affected but it's the only little bit of power/control I have left. I was never into shipping centres etc but I used to spend a lot of money in cafes/garden centre/picking up bits in m&s. Not anymore. ... No takeaways either.

Sorry this read more like a boycotting to me/exercising power, and I'm pointing out that if everyone did the same you would ultimately suffer, as would we all.

What does an unpleasant retail experience have to do with takeaways?

Well yes, it is boycotting. It's boycotting things that make you unhappy. What's wrong with that?

You have to wear masks in takeaways.

We may as adults grit our teeth and grimace at the perceived stupidity of roolz, I have seen them change over the years. But children do not see the world in the same way we do so what we see as a miserable outing they see as fun bless them.

I had first baby in 1980 last in 2001. The school experience was so different, risk factors quashed rather than embraced. My youngest is so boring compared to the eldest who lived the dream, risking life and limb climbing, diving, surfing without a tut to be heard.

@Drivingdownthe101

It is a tricky one, as of course I do want to spend to support the economy. But I will not spend in places that make the experience unpleasant. That may make me selfish, but as a parent of three young children I have limited leisure time and will not be using it on things that I find miserable.

But did your children find it miserable or did they adapt and make the best of things?

You have to wear masks in takeaways.

For all of 5 minutes.

But children do not see the world in the same way we do so what we see as a miserable outing they see as fun bless them

I agree with that, I’m sure my children enjoyed the farm park more than I did, despite having to queue for an hour for the bouncy pillow as it was ‘one household at a time’. But I was stressed and fraught and had a shit day, and my mood definitely rubbed off a little (I was also very snappy with my poor mum who has just trying to help!).
So to be honest as it was my money being spent and I got home needing a stiff gin , we won’t go again.

Just to mention that some local small businesses also do online delivery. We had fish and chips delivered one evening, or you can collect.

I think friendly small businesses doing something a bit different, being pleasant in the shops, and maybe online as well might be the best way to shop.

children do not see the world in the same way we do so what we see as a miserable outing they see as fun bless them.

This.

I don't enjoy a mask but it doesn't seem to phase DC and they enjoy a trip round a shopping centre - it's a novelty for them.

•But did your children find it miserable or did they adapt and make the best of things?

They enjoyed it, although less than they did pre Covid. But as I said above, it may be selfish but I’m not spending my money on something that means I have a shit day. I’d rather go to one of the places that made it an enjoyable experience all round, like the zoo did.

I speak as someone who used the cinema to entertain three children and fell asleep during many a film. The day out was not about me but them. I learnt never to let youngest drink orange though. Five pees needed during monster house running time 91 minutes in 2006 was not funny we still talk about it, one of those family memories.

Anyway, the last thing I’ve ever come on these threads for it an argument so I’ll bow out now.

@GrumpiestOldWoman

You have to wear masks in takeaways.

For all of 5 minutes.

Yeah, I know. But you asked.

Are you just here for an argument?

Its not the place for that, really.

With that I'm no longer replying.

*Yeah, I know. But you asked.

Are you just here for an argument?*

No, just can't imagine what's not to like about a takeaway - 5 minutes with a mask seems like such a small price to pay for a meal I've not had to stand and cook

I’m gritting my teeth and wearing a mask to shop in my local butcher and deli. Both have been open throughout, have lovely staff and are welcoming- no bonkers rules, just a limited number of people in the shop at once. They’re really worth supporting. And we’re eating in restaurants again. Otherwise going out is stressful, miserable and pointless, so why would I bother?

I dislike a mask intensely but I think I'll probably get used to it (hopefully).

Much of my sadness is about the general 'strangeness' of life rather than the mask per se. Shops are places of purpose now, rather than leisure

@justasking111
"I will not be withholding my spending because imo. that is a different kind of dementorish"

^^ I agree. And also with your comment about this being people's livelihoods.

I understand the not wanting to be a part of something that you don't think is right.

I understand the uneasy sense of being manipulated into behaving in a certain way.

I don't think wearing masks in shops will make a huge difference, & I don't like wearing them, I dislike the "mask-shaming" culture, & I am quietly & steadily chipping away at highlighting why some of these rules are discriminatory, through the work I do.

But my life has become even more bloody miserable than it was before covid. Going to the shops to look at the nice things, & maybe buy stuff, shallow as it might be, has been a little bit of relief the last few weeks, so I'm not giving that up as well.

I'll just point out one last thing, and then leave it. A large number of us ADs were out and spending money as soon as possible, weeks ago, while the rest of Mumsnet was still screaming Stay The Fuck At Home and accusing anyone who went outside of murdering grannies. So I consider my moral obligation to the high street fulfilled. It's now the turn of those who wanted masks to step up and get shopping.

Wanted to go out today but we are now full of weekend tourists so will leave them to it. The weather forecast for the next two weeks is pretty wettish so trying to organise a visit to zoo Gypsy Wood between showers is challenging. Talk about Doctor Foster. Think we will stick to zoo because it is local, Gypsy Wood is a hike with five small children to change out of muddy wet clothes in the boot of a car.

There is no way I am going to do something that makes me miserable AND pay for it.

I bought some clothes today but it was online. Before I might have nipped out to the shop but it was much more pleasurable to have them delivered. I even payed a delivery charge which would have been about the same as parking.

For takeaways then actually I am usually umming about whether to cook or nip out. One takeaway near me won't let you wait inside so now I will have to put a mask on to order then wait outside for the pleasure. Ummm no thanks as it tips it back to be easier and better for my waistline to cook.

I won't give up shopping or spending but I will only spend money in shops that don't treat me as pre-contaminated. I have already done this a few times and given positive feedback to the staff in those shops.

I found a new, more convenient green grocer this way so that was something good! And one of the DC came with me and we had a good talk about the fruit and veg available so it was nice for both of us.