I went to Waitrose and now I feel like a frump

[TerrorOwls]

Everyone, I'm not exaggerating, every bloody person in there was slim. They just swanned around, speaking well, interacting lovingly with their offspring. It was like how things should be.
As you can probably tell, I don't go there very often. I'm a Tesco and Lidl person normally.
Forget social media. It's real life that's made me realise how overweight and grumpy I am

Your money is the same colour as theirs. Do not feel like this, there is no bouncer or door policy.

What did you buy there anyway? Anything nicer than Lidl or Tesco? Prices high too?

BTW the people you mention are far too busy helicopter parenting with loud voices to notice anyone but themselves.

What do you mean by 'as it should be'

Honesty I get so stressed shopping in different places, I like Waitrose / farm shops my favourite places. I like the lighting, the way to shops are set out and it does always seem so much calmer.

When I make a trip out to a big Tesco / Aldi it always stresses me out, I don't know where things are, it's always super brightly lit, seems more crowded and just louder.

Different shops all do seem to have a different vibe about them!

@IAmAnAdultHumanFemale
I mean everyone should be healthy and slim. I'm not meaning that in a judgemental way at all so please don't think I do.
I'm overweight myself but I know this isn't how things really should be.

I shop in Waitrose. Didn’t realise it made me such a bad person @hastalav 😂

I’m obviously going to the wrong Waitrose. They all look like perfectly ordinary people to me.

I was in Waitrose earlier in a pair of old joggers, no make up, with unbrushed hair. I’m mid-aged and fat AND my kids were being dicks (3 year old shouted really loudly ‘MUMMY DID YOU FART?’ then laughed a lot at her own joke). I can assure you there was no swanning about and / or speaking lovingly on my part.

You weren’t in our local Waitrose then, @TerrorOwls ! It’s mostly harassed parents, and pensioners queuing by the coffee machine. Admittedly there’s one immaculately dressed, guy who goes in regularly (with small cute daughter in tow) but he’s the exception. We call him FashionDad 🤭 but he’s not a performance parent either.

@hastalav I know my money is as good as theirs. I just felt comparatively frumpy.
I was buying some interesting snacks which I haven't seen in my normal shops.

Sounds like you’re feeling down on yourself OP.

Yes my local Waitrose is like this too.
I'm also overweight, a single parent and feel like shit walking around most places. Confidence is through the floor. I can afford to shop in Waitrose though, at least I have that.

The lighting in Waitrose is significantly more flattering than the lighting in Aldi, which may have had some impact

The demographic in my nearest Waitrose is noticeably geriatric more than anything else.

Where is this Waitrose? I've shopped at Waitrose for over 20 years and I am not one of those people you describe. Yes, you get one or two people who 'look' wealthy, but I've never encountered those people you describe.

I shop at Waitrose and my branch isn't like that, I can assure you! Quite a mix of people.
Don't feel down, I'm sure you looked ok 😉

I’ll have you know I’m slim and talk lovingly to my children when we shop in Aldi!

OP I used to feel like that at every school event in DSs primary school. At one stage I lost a lot of weight and realised at the next event that I was still probably the biggest person there. I remember ranting to dh 'This is ridiculous! There is supposed to be an obesity crisis!'

My nearest supermarket is a waitrose (so i'm there often) and I don't recognise this at all. And I say that as a self confessed fat, frumpy person! Kindly, I think you were being over sensitive and just noticed all the people you seem to think look better than you.

😂

Dear me, you've been to waitrose not Paris fashion week.
Went to waitrose with my brood today. I'm definitely fat and frumpy and my kids are hooligans (2yrs and 4yrs). I think you need to love yourself a bit more OP.

Op get yourself a new outfit. Something flattering to your size and shape.
and I mean outfit…top pants shoes earrings. Groom/accessorize yourself however you prefer…hair makeup nice bag. Go waitrose shopping. There’s a whole instagram movement about dressing for everyday errands and the positive impact it can have.

I know that you mean OP - my local Waitrose is very similar and when I occasionally pop in, I always leave feeling like an old crow 😁 as everybody is so stylish and well dressed.

It’s also an area that’s been identified as one of the most healthiest in the country, so most are very slim and trim with their leisure wear on. I just keep my head down and get in and out as quick as possible! I never feel like that in M&S for some reason.

I remember going to a school event and being in awe of a couple of mums who looked so slim and chic. Then I saw them outside, puffing away on Rothmans. Not so chic.

This cracked me up. I literally roll in to Waitrose in my PJs and greasy hair on days when I feel particularly unbothered, because I assume that it's the least judgey of my local supermarkets. I'm clearly so beyond the realm of social conventions pertaining to personal grooming that I don't have to give two hoots. Ditto the DC.

This Waitrose is in quite an affluent area in London. I live in the neighbouring not so affluent area. I also don't feel like that in M&S because that's on the high street and everyone is in there.