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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask the sales assistant to wash her hands

259 replies

careergirl · 23/03/2013 10:25

I don't think i was tbh
It was Boots. I bought a yoghurt, wrapped sandwich (thank god!)

As I went to the counter the sales assistant was sniffing then wiped her nose with the back of her hand then picked up my items saying do you want a bag....

I actually said... I would like to put those back please and change them..and really you should have washed your hands before touching them because you've just wiped your nose with the back of your hand.

She went a bit red and washed her hands with some anti bac on the counter so I wondered if someone had mentioned something earlier

But I felt very awkward like I was being difficult..but really I'm not am I?

OP posts:
Flobbadobs · 23/03/2013 11:48

It certainly beats going to tackle to 2ft snowdrift currently blocking the drive and I am always up for a good discussion!
careergirl if you're still reading this you were not being U to expect good hygeine practises but were certainly being very U tomspeak to the assistant like that. They are human too, just because they are serving you doesn't mean that they are any less deserving of respect.

EggandSporkRace · 23/03/2013 11:49

The OP is genuine, I know her from another forum (nothing to do with parenting)

I understand why she thought it was disgusting, I'd have struggled for a way to approach it without upsetting anyone

But then if I had seen the person wiping their nose like that I'd have not given them my shopping to start with iyswim (unless it was too late)

I might have made an excuse and legged it though Grin

I tend to wash the outside of packages when I get home anyway, if I am feeling worried, or have dropped them or something

EggandSporkRace · 23/03/2013 11:49

OP why did you throw away the replacements - I am having trouble understanding that bit

Slipperyslopin · 23/03/2013 11:50

I work in Boots, and I had a woman very similar to you come in and whine about the fact that I was coughing into my hand and then handling her items. At our boots the policy is that you do not leave the shop floor until your break. I had not known I would have a coughing fit, I didn't have tissues on me, there was literally nothing I could have done as I couldn't nip up and grab some. Seriously these people work long days sometimes and dont have time to be germaphobes like you.

NikkiLaLa · 23/03/2013 11:50

Yanbu at all! That is disgusting and she needed to be told, I just know I would have been too chicken to say something! I wouldn't want to purchase something contaminated with someone's snot it's vile. Cannot believe so many of you think it's acceptable behaviour from a sales assistant.

EggandSporkRace · 23/03/2013 11:50

and she's been here for years

and is quite sensible

also antibac is rubbish and only kills the innocent stuff really. I won't touch it

EggandSporkRace · 23/03/2013 11:51

on the advice of a consultant microbiologist Smile

everlong · 23/03/2013 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edam · 23/03/2013 11:56

Boots sound shitty if they won't allow assistants to leave the shop floor to wash their hands. Yuck.

PeneloPeePitstop · 23/03/2013 11:57

You're not allowed to be ill in retail.
I have memories of working for a certain every little helps retailer, I had norovirus, rang in sick and was told that due to previous absence (missed mc) they didn't believe me and I'd be on disciplinary if I didn't show.

Took puking in my bin at the till, infecting feck knows how many staff and customers, to be believed.

Shortly after I quit and now boycott that particular retailer.

PeneloPeePitstop · 23/03/2013 11:57

Oh, and how wasteful to throw away the replacements. For that YABU and neurotic.

claudedebussy · 23/03/2013 12:00

yanbu

absolutely disgusting.

BistoBearWithBaublesOn · 23/03/2013 12:00

Technically, the sales assistant has protected you from germs by wiping her nose on the back of her hand. A tissue is not waterproof, if she had wiped her nose using a tissue some if the germy snot would've gone on her hand and fingers, shock horror!! And then she would've touched your precious wrapped food, oh my!!

By wiping the snot on the back of her hand she has reduced the possibility of the snot coming in to contact with your food, you should thank her!

BinksToEnlightenment · 23/03/2013 12:13

I'd rather shake her hand than be as rude as you were, to tell you the truth.

twofingerstoGideon · 23/03/2013 12:20

Here's my tuppence worth:

It's vile seeing someone wiping their nose with back of hand, especially if they're in a customer-service situation.
OP, you were tactless in pointing this out.
OP - surely self-service checkout would be your best option in future?

DorcasDelIcatessen · 23/03/2013 12:53

OP, why aren't you making your own sandwiches? Will save you from picking on unfortunate shop assistants and you some money in the process. Oh and yabu. There's a way of doing things and that wasn't one of them.

Chottie · 23/03/2013 12:56

OP you were right, I asked an assistant to wash her hands after sneezing into them and before serving them.

You were not rude, I would have done the same :) We are talking about basic hygiene.

Chottie · 23/03/2013 12:57

sorry, should read 'before serving me '

hopefloats · 23/03/2013 15:40

Of course, what you have to be completely certain of, is that the person who threw together your processed food hadn't got a runny nose either. or just had a poo without washing their hands

EmmaBemma · 23/03/2013 15:42

OCD, much? You were rude and you know it. You sound like a bit of a bully actually.

One of your first replies, saying there was more germs on the money you handed over, was absolutely spot on.

SirChenjin · 23/03/2013 15:44

Fucking hell - I can't believe there are so many people who are happy to be served by someone who's just wiped their snot onto to back of their hands Shock

I'm not at all fussed by a few germs but honestly, that is just bogging. MN is like a parallel universe sometimes.

EmmaBemma · 23/03/2013 15:44

"I tend to wash the outside of packages when I get home anyway, if I am feeling worried "

Seriously?! Your consultant microbiologist friend should have a word with you about that too. God, people are weird.

LittleBairn · 23/03/2013 15:51

sir I quite agree I'm astounded that so many people would be happy if it happened to them.
Nor do I believe the OP to be rude for challenging it.

If Boots have bad working conditions their staff should be taking that issue up with management, the problem shouldn't be passed onto the customer.

LittleBairn · 23/03/2013 15:54

hope but we don't see those people to challenge them, why should we ignore what's happening in front of us?
Plus fruit and veg can be washed at home and meat cooked at high temps this was Pre made food to be eaten while out of the home hence one expects some hygiene standards when handling it.

SirChenjin · 23/03/2013 15:55

Agree LittleBairn. Not wiping snotty noses with hands is something that my 6 year old is capable of, and has been for a few years - it's not rocket science.

As for washing the outside of packages - wtaf??!