Shops are open - anyone else not bothered?

[Wildswimming3]

I think im over shopping. The thought of queues and lots of people is very unappealing.

I am looking for a new mattress! I think I have identified the one I want but want to look at it/bounce about on it a bit before I buy. But don’t want to join the queue of people who are probably lining up to do the same . I will wait a few weeks.

I do realise this means they will probably have sold out of the one I want and there will be a lead in time of many months if not years , but I can live with that.

Not overly bothered because I rarely go shopping anyway, I’ve bought everything online for years.

Not bothered at all. I buy most of my clothes online anyway. Also pretty sure that you can’t try clothes on in store, so may as well continue to shop online. Glad the hairdressers are open though.

Well it's snowing here so I'm not going to be heading into town.
I am hoping with the shops open, the garden centre won't be as busy now as I've avoided it over the past few months!

@greenlynx

I’m busy today otherwise would go. I love a bit of shopping and some things are better to buy in person. I desperately need shoe polish from Clark’s and new slippers for DD which we usually buy from Primark. She also fits perfectly in Primark’s sweatshirts so we will pop in to the shop at some point this week. She is really excited as she doesn’t like online shopping much.

You can buy shoe polish and slippers anywhere, why have you waited ?

@peak2021

Pleased about hairdressers!

Pleased for the businesses. Though we will see how many saddos go to Primark no doubt.

There are a lot of people who don't have the option to buy online. Whether that's no access to a bank card, no internet or not enough income to buy from online shops and pay p&p. Primark isn't online. Charity shops have been closed and if you can't get to big out of town supermarkets you can't access their cheaper clothes.

I'm somehow happier to know that the likes of TK Maxx are open again as I do enjoy a browse. I might go later on if it's quieter. I have some wfh to do before then.

I'm broke as a joke, so I can't! Would be in TKMaxx right now if I wasn't!

I’m glad shops are open but won’t be rushing out. But they aren’t the only things open today - outside hospitality, self catering holidays, hairdressers and beauty, gyms, pools, soft plays etc so there’s a lot of opportunity for people to get back a bit of their previous lives. I won’t be going shopping other than popping in to local shops as and when I need something but I will be going out and about and enjoying myself again.

Local car boot sale this Sunday... that's the only shopping session of interest to me right now. It's always a good time.

Not until the children go back to school next week! I’m guessing whoever came up with today as reopening day assumed that all schools would be back, and wasn’t envisaging hoards of children being dragged around the shops. DS desperately needs clothes and trainers that don’t have holes in them, but I can’t be doing with the inevitable crowds and queues this week.

We are going to the library later, which is very exciting!

I didnt think I’d be bothered by weirdly I felt some excitement and a feeling of impending freedom this morning. I think I’d just like to browse to feel a little bit normal. A couple of weeks ago we did an outdoor activity as a family and it felt as close to normal as we could get. It was a wonderful feeling.

I might go and have a wonder around the big M&S near us next week just because I can but I won’t be going anywhere whilst it’s still the Easter holidays! DS needs his feet measuring really so we’ll probably go to Clarks at some point in a couple of weeks. No rush. I’m still going to order summer clothes for the kids online. I’m not a big fan of shopping at the best of times!

I am however taking DS to an indoor activity this afternoon which I’m very excited about!

It's amazing that a person could suggest 'saddos' are the only ones doing certain things, whilst at the same time taking the time out of the day to go online just to demonstrate they're a judgemental snob. People are entitled to enjoy themselves any way they like without others snobbery based approvals. Equally not everyone has the means to shop elsewhere.

@Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel please tell us how you know the financial status of every person queuing to entering a shop today, or indeed why it would be a problem for someone entitled to them to be on long term benefits (proven health problems, disabilities etc). What does being on a benefit have to do with anyones moral ethic, personality or inclination? Snobbery is a terrible thing. From here it's quite clear there are plenty of 'pathetic' behaviours being exampled and I'm not sure it is from those popping out to go to a shop.

Both my kids need new school shoes, so I am going to have to brave the shops this week.

There is absolutely nothing enjoyable about things that used to be enjoyable.

I loved browsing shops and trying on clothes. Treating myself to nice bits and bobs during a shopping trip.

I can't bear the queues. The masks. The one way systems. The rules. It's miserable.

Same for things like zoos, theme parks, activities etc.

Everything feels like such an arse ache and too much thought needs to go into doing basic, and once enjoyable things.

I will be waiting till the madness dies down and hopefully all the rules and restrictions are completely lifted it less strict before I venture out.

@Mrsfrumble

Not until the children go back to school next week! I’m guessing whoever came up with today as reopening day assumed that all schools would be back, and wasn’t envisaging hoards of children being dragged around the shops. DS desperately needs clothes and trainers that don’t have holes in them, but I can’t be doing with the inevitable crowds and queues this week.

We are going to the library later, which is very exciting!

I'm not sure school holidays was even a consideration tbh but I think if it was, it was more likely done on purpose to spread the children's shopping out over a week than have loads of people rushing on the first Saturday. Obviously many still will if the parents are working this week, but it'll hopefully be a little less manic at the weekend.

Personally no, I won't be going to the shops. I have very few shops I enjoy going to (stationery/wool/DIY) and no urge to go today whatsoever.

I wasn't going to a cafe or pub either, but IF the snow is still crunchy I might walk into the village and have coffee or lunch outside the pub. First time I'll have had a drink or something to eat outside if my own house in 15 months. But I won't bother if it's all slushy.

Not until the children go back to school next week! I’m guessing whoever came up with today as reopening day assumed that all schools would be back, and wasn’t envisaging hoards of children being dragged around the shops.

Well it was the government who provided the dates for reopening, so yes they would be fully aware that school holidays vary. Perhaps they decided it was up to the individual to decide what to do today, and that they didn't need to extend the closure by a week because some schools are still off.

Not bothered here, either.
Glad for the economy though.

I’m pleased because it means I can take my daughter to get some new shoes, haven’t had much luck with buying online and getting them to fit properly.

But shopping is definitely not a pleasant experience with queues and masks and one way systems etc so I can’t see myself going for anything else soon.

This is peak MN ridiculousness

Im with Bagels and Wildswim. Apart from that our shops were mobbed the last time. I will be leaving it till it all calms down and will only be at the shops if I desparately need anything. Sitting in a cafe now is anything but leisurely, Id rather sit in my own home and enjoy my coffee at my own pace. Im pleased for the workers though, they will be relieved to be back earning a living. Good luck to anyone returning to work. Wish you a good day.

**:39Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel

The people queuing uppatheticallyare mostly people that are on long term benefits. Their circumstances don't change. I'm wfh so won't be shopping.**
Sorry didn't quote properly.
THIS is peak MN ridiculousness