AIBU to expect Sainsburys staff to know what mincemeat is?

[trinity0097]

Hubby was directed to beef section when he asked for 'mincemeat, the sweet type for mince-pies'. Surely at this time of year grown up staff should know what this is and where it is in the store?!

I once overheard someone asking in a shop if they sold lychees. Shop assistant accompanied customer over to the dairy aisle and said 'this is all the cheese we have.'

Someone who has never been given one?
Someone who isn't interested in books?

Just asked DS what a Christmas annual is, he suggested poinsettia.
Now he's trying to think of other flowers he only sees at Christmas.

How sad for them SilverApples

Our local Tesco have orzo and it's just in the pasta aisle with the penne and all the more standard shapes...

DS has now remembered that it is also a book that appears at the end of the year. 'They have a Minecraft one'
His eyes are looking hopeful, I may have just been trapped into buying one.
I blame MN.

"You do know not everyone who works at Sainsbos is British?"

True. For example, there are several people from Nepal in the branch in which my daughter works. I think it is perfectly reasonable that, instead of expecting every member of staff to memorise the name and whereabouts of each of the several thousand products in their store, the management trust that, with enough relevant information as to the item a customer requires (e.g. orzo is a type of pasta) the staff member will be able to provide the assistance required. I would not expect absolute perfection anywhere though. That's unreasonable IMO. As long as the assistant does his or her best, and is pleasant, that's fine as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe that's because I worked in retail several decades ago when I was young. I wasn't perfect then but I did always do my best. I am very close to complete perfection now, only I'm too modest.

I once asked a Tesco employee where I could find rocket and got taken to the ice lollies in the freezer!

I once asked for lard in Asda and was asked if it was a vegetable!

Im confused mince meat is mince pies ?

I once got spoken to like an utter imbecile because I didn't realise that the customer asking for an Americano was after a black coffee. I'm not a coffee connoisseur or particularly knowledgeable in any way but he didn't have to highlight the fact - arsehole.

pretentious arsehole*

mincemeat is the filling in mince pies. In Tudor times ( I know this because I just read a book with some kids in Guided Reading) mincemeat was made from meat,suet and heavily spiced,with some fruits added. It was something rich people ate, due to the amount of sugar in it .

Nowadays, of course mincemeat is made from fuits,spice and suet, and can be found in mince pies and jars , to make your own!

The rest of the world doesn't know what a Christmas annual is either btw

I asked an assistant in a shoe shop where the shoe horns were... I got a blank look and ' what's one of those ?'

Went into a small local boots to buy ky jelly for my dad (he's on oxygen therapy and needs it to stop skin at his nose getting sore).
Couldnt find it and 18 yr old male assistant didn't know what it was so I had to explain, I didn't think at my age I got about these things anymore but turns out I do! (And so did he!)

DH popped out to the shop while we were decorating once and asked the assistant if they sold white spirit. He was quite confused when she led him to the alcohol isle, she then produced a bottle of White Lightning cider!

Rocket ice lollies are awesome though.

Much nicer than salad.

;)

I once misdirected someone to the cork tiles (this was in the 70's) when she asked me in a geordie accent which aisle the coke (as in coca cola) was in.

I'm 22, a lot of my friends don't know what mincemeat is and many have never tried a mince pie because they didn't understand why anyone would want a sugar-topped pie with minced beef in it (I put them straight, never fear). In their defence though, I put it down to cultural differences. Few of my friends have British parents. I don't know if that's the case for OP's Sainsbury's workers but it certainly is 'round my way!

There was a story on here years ago about a MNetter who wanted to try to make playdough for the first time. So she went to her local Waitrose to buy some Cream of Tartar.

She couldn't find it so asked an assistant. She couldn't find it either but told the Mnetter knowledgably that Tartar sauce would be a good substitute.

Needless to say it wasn't

Edie I have also had the same problem with doilies. Does nobody use them these days? The last time I found them was when Lakeland had their xmas ones in the sale last year.

Try your local poundshop cornish, ours has lots of them and in different colours too!

Is anyone else thinking of the Two Ronnies' fork handles sketch?

Identifying fruit is difficult when you are a teenager! I had no idea what one customer was putting on my belt and had to ask. (They were apricots). The next lady put her shopping down and helpfully said "these are onions." Still not quite sure if she was having a laugh....