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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get really annoyed at Monday morning post office queues?

83 replies

wizardora · 19/01/2011 08:32

Our local post office always has a queue round the block of elderly people drawing their pensions, it takes over an hour to get to the front & drives me bonkers so I always avoid it if possible.

I am genuinly curious, is there a reason why pensioners can't get it direct debited into their bank and use a cash point to withdraw the money?

OP posts:
MainlyMaynie · 19/01/2011 09:37

YABU, you have no more right to be there and be served quickly than they do. And you should hope people have more respect and empathy for you when you reach their age.

RustyBear · 19/01/2011 09:38

ledkr - are they supposed to organise a rota so they don't all go at the same time? And maybe they like to go at the same time so they can talk to their friends? If it wasn't for the pensioners, maybe your 'little village po' wouldn't exist any more, so maybe you should be grateful to them...

Bogeyface · 19/01/2011 09:41

There was a spate of pick pocket incidents in my town over Xmas, it seems to be a professional gang of young girls. They targetted old people using cashpoints, who perhaps werent good at hiding their PIN, or made a big palaver about putting their money away.

Since then I know of several people who refused to use cashpoints (my mum being one, she is barely 60 and a young 60 at that), so I think fear of mugging too might be a factor.

But having stood myself in queues for AGES waiting for Mrs Old Dear to stop telling her life story and get on with what she is doing, I feel your pain!

gramercy · 19/01/2011 09:41

There was someone on Jeremy Vine a few weeks ago who had been abused in a post office queue - because she was not a pensioner and she had no right to be there on their day!

Monday is the world's worst day to go to the PO because it's also benefits day. You should see the queues in Tesco as well on Mondays. I have seen with my own eyes that many people visit the PO, hot foot it to the supermarket and then will blow £30-40 on booze.

snowmash · 19/01/2011 09:43

You could always print your postage online, OP.

meantosay · 19/01/2011 09:44

YABVU. A lot of people prefer the human contact involved in going into a post office or shop. Maybe you would like them all to do their shopping on line as well, to spare you having to queue behind them in Tesco.

BrightSideOfLife · 19/01/2011 09:45

Agree with snowmash you can print postage online for any size or weight or post, it is really quick and easy (I was THRILLED when I discovered it. No more Post Office Queues!) Go to the royal mail website...

Deciduousblonde · 19/01/2011 09:45

Pension collecting is one thing. I avoid Post Offices and town on pension day!

What irks me is when I go in on another day and I am queued behind people (usually elderly) who are buying just one stamp..yes, I know it's unreasonable for me to be so intolerant but it's annoying me anyway.

nickelbabysnatcher · 19/01/2011 09:47

I have to use the Post Office quite a lot for posting out orders etc.

My main gripe is what people said earlier about people being in the queue that really don't need to be.

~Before 10 o'clock and during lunch time (12-2 is sensible), people who can go at any time during the day should avoid those times.
But no, you get people queuing, meaning that a lot of people who work are stuck in a queue during their own lunch hours because they've got no choice, being held up by those that could easily have waited half an hour to do their post office stuff.

nickelbabysnatcher · 19/01/2011 09:48

BrightSide - true, but in most Post Offices, you still have to queue to get it checked by the clerk to make sure it's correct. Not all Post Offices have a drop and go.

nymphadora · 19/01/2011 09:48

The PO also wastes a lot of time trying to sell insurance/mobile top ups etc when you are trying to post said letter.

lolasmummy78 · 19/01/2011 09:49

YANBU, monday is my only day off and I hate having to spend an hour of it queueing with a screaming baby and toddler while pensioners use it as a coffee morning, sorry but it's true

nickelbabysnatcher · 19/01/2011 09:49

ah, you've hit a very big nail on the head there - I go to post a packet, i say "first class packet, please" - put it on the scales ready, "proff of postage please".
done!
but no!!! I then have to spend 3 hours saying "no thanks i don't want house insurance,. health insurance, pet insurance, car insurance..."

meantosay · 19/01/2011 09:50

I do agree that if someone is around all day it is annoying if they cause long queues at lunchtime. But you probably just think 'oh, I'll run out to the post office' without really noticing it's lunchtime.

Likewise it is annoying if shoppers take up loads of seats on the tube or bus right in the middle of the evening rush hour. But again, it's probably not something your really think about if you're not tuned in to regular office hours.

sixlostmonkeys · 19/01/2011 09:53

"being held up by those that could easily have waited half an hour to do their post office stuff."

just thinking..... if you think other people should plan their trip to the PO so as not to inconvenience others with a different (more important?) lifestyle, do you actually plan any of 'your' day so as not to inconvenience others with a different (more important) lifestyle?

I'm not having a go at you personally as others have been suggesting similar things.

FranSanDisco · 19/01/2011 09:53

I know, isnt it awful. Some of those old people even try to get on the buses that young people use Hmm and once I saw some queuing in sainbo's for ... food. What days would suit you then or should all over 70s be shot perhaps?

Original poster
wizardora · 19/01/2011 09:55

The reason it irks me so much is because Monday is the only day I can go and I always have my baby and toddler in tow who inevitably end up crying and we get dirty looks.

It is frustrating for everyone even the pensioners and I am simply wondering why they can't use one of the three banks we have along the same small stretch of shops.

They have every right to use the Post Office if they choose, I am not saying they don't, just wondering why they choose to.

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 19/01/2011 09:59

They do get it direct debited, but they go to the post office to pay their bills and draw out the remainder.

sixlostmonkeys · 19/01/2011 10:00

"just wondering why they choose to."

It's just simply that they have "chosen" to. For whatever reason (some suggested already on here) they have 'chosen' to. Even pensioners have freedom of choice (health and safety permitting)
Even if they ALL chose to do it just to annoy the younger more important generation then that is fine, it is their choice.

Original poster
wizardora · 19/01/2011 10:06

Are you seriously saying I think we should shoot someone over 70 because I get annoyed at queuing for hours in the post office?!? Hmm

I challenge anyone to stand in a queue for over an hour with two screaming kids and not feel annoyed at the end of it

OP posts:
Bramshott · 19/01/2011 10:11

Online postage - it's fab!! Has revolutionised my life.

sixlostmonkeys · 19/01/2011 10:11

"I challenge anyone to stand in a queue for over an hour with two screaming kids and not feel annoyed at the end of it"

We could have a go at looking at it this way - what if I was to start a thread along the lines of "Why do women with screaming kids choose to go to the PO when others are trying to cash their money or go about their business? Why can't they choose to go to the PO when the kids are at school or nursery? Surely it would be easier for all if they got a friend to babysit for them or if they were to choose to go at a time when no one else needs to go?"

Original poster
wizardora · 19/01/2011 10:21

I work so can't got when they are at nursery otherwise I would and I don't have anyone to babysit but yes, point taken, I just wondered why they didn't use banks as imagined it would be easier.

OP posts:
JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 19/01/2011 10:25

It's the SAHMs SAHPs who clog up the shops, banks and post offices dutring my lunch hour that annoy me.

If only they could tear themselves away from Starbucks/Jeremy Kyle a little earlier of a morning, we'd all be happier Grin

YABVU OP. Nobody should have to schedule their day in order not to inconvenience those with supposedly more pressing business. Besides I imagine for many it's a social thing. And to me that's more important than you posting a letter that could, presumaeably, be posted later in the day/week.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 19/01/2011 10:26

oops - x-post.

Yup - it's irritating but I really do think the social element is important.