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To feel I'm being watched in my local Tesco?

59 replies

madeinmanc · 21/09/2023 09:13

There's a Tesco Express near me which I go in fairly regularly as it's close.

I know this is going to sound like paranoia but I can't shake the impression that some of the staff are watching me like hawks. They must think I'm a shopfliter.

For example, a few weeks ago I was using the self-service checkout and I saw a woman at the main till have a word with another employee and he came and stood directly behind me (less than 1 m) and proceeded to watch me scan my stuff over my shoulder, practically breathing down my neck, a bit like if you ever had a teacher watching you work at school!! This has also happened one other time before that. I have also noticed they don't do that to anyone else.

They also insist on speaking to me every time I go in, when they don't to other customers. I try and slip in and use the self-service till unnoticed but if the man is at the manned till he will shout out a greeting to me and force me to speak to him. Again, they don't do it with other customers, just me. Even if I try ignoring him, he will repeat it until I reply.

I didn't go in for a while after that, but I did go in last night and the same woman who had told her colleague to watch me at the self-service till gave me the most horrendous look as I was looking at the flowers near the entrance. As it's just a nasty look, there's nothing concrete I can complain about to the management.

It's just bizarre and really upsetting. I've tried to think when this woman's and that man's shifts are so I can avoid encountering them but I never seem to get it right. In any case, that defeats the purpose of having a local convenience store, doesn't it?

Edit: just to add, the only other thing I do that may be slightly unusual is I don't tend to spend that much money, I only buy milk/fruit/yoghurt etc. as their branded goods are very expensive. I can't see why that would make a difference but I'm clutching at straws here.

Anyone else experienced something like this? 😔 What can I do about it? It's really upsetting to me.

OP posts:
AnySoln · 21/09/2023 14:05

Im sure i get the same at Sainsbury's.
I have very messy hair and often jumper or coat.

It happened today.
I was loitering a bit - dp was in the optician!

octoberfarm · 21/09/2023 14:34

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 21/09/2023 13:37

Walk in, stop, and wait for your follower to appear. When they do, make eye contact and say briskly 'morning!, can you please explain to me why you treat me like a master criminal every time I step foot in here? To my knowledge I've not done anything wrong. So either you've got me confused with someone else - I can show you ID to clear that up if you'd like? - or I've done something by accident that I'm not aware of. Which is it please?

Either that or just hand them your basket and say 'come on, milk first!' and walk off Grin

Edited

Love both of these ideas, but especially the second one Grin OP, i honestly think your best choice is just politely asking them what's going on. You can be calm/friendly/curious about it, but it will let them know that a) you aren't hiding anything and b) to back off. Sorry this is happening, it must be really unsettling.

PurpleMonkeys · 21/09/2023 14:38

I worked retail for a spell 10+ years ago and even then they wanted their employees to keep an eye out for anyone acting odd or that stood out and the manager even singled out young girls with prams..

So chances are it's even worse these days and the management are pushing all employees to be vigilant because of 'shrink'

(I think shrink is what it was called at the time. Yearly bonuses were tied to it some how so it was in all employee interests to watch people)

toadasoda · 21/09/2023 14:39

Autumnleaves257 · 21/09/2023 10:17

I wonder if they have mixed you up with someone else who has shoplifted or who has had suspicious behaviour in the past. No idea how to handle it though other than going to a manned checkout.

That's what I thought too. They might have been warned about a particular known shoplifter and you unfortunately look like her.

wwyd2021medicine · 21/09/2023 14:39

My DSis had this some years ago at a new Tesco extra near to her. Followed, people hovering near self scan and her bags checked repeatedly when she was leaving. One day when she was stopped, she was so cross and asked to speak to the manager. She told them she lived a 3 minute walk away, popped in at least 3 times a week plus a big shop in car weekly and was fed up of their behaviour and feeling harassed. She said she would have to go elsewhere if this continued as it was so awful. It stopped after that.

It is so hard for supermarkets now though with the shoplifting. A man was trying to run out of my local Asda with £372 worth of children's toys - he got away but trolley of toys recovered. The woman I buy my lunch from (next to Asda) says it's a daily occurrence.

Midnightstar76 · 21/09/2023 14:45

I honestly feel like that in my local Tesco too. I make sure I have my receipt in clear view every time now. But yes I would walk with my feet and shop elsewhere if you can.

HateTheView · 21/09/2023 15:44

If they're going to follow you around, I'd hand them your basket and say you might as well carry this for me, while you're here. Then I'd take a selfie with them and post it on the supermarket FB page with the caption 'got my own helper at Tesco placename, don't even need to carry my own basket anymore #excellentcustomerservice' but I'm sarky as fuck!

Annaishere · 21/09/2023 15:47

That’s really weird. Maybe you’ve developed a nervous disposition in that shop and that’s what’s being picked up at this point

madeinmanc · 21/09/2023 16:02

Yeah, quite possibly. I don't think I'd make a very good spy 😬

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