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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wish Christmas shoppers wouldn't head into town right in the middle of morning rush hour

62 replies

Fallingovercliffs · 05/12/2014 12:29

Fair enough, some of them have good reasons and other pressing things to do that day.

But AIBU to think that surely some of the hundreds of extra cars on the road, making it hell trying to get into work on time, could just wait an extra hour and let people get into work first?

OP posts:

Original poster

Fallingovercliffs · 05/12/2014 14:45

Well the difference is, Santa, that workers have no choice as to the time they travel. A lot of Christmas shoppers do and it would make sense, in my view, if those who could avoided the rush hour as much as possible; for their own sakes as much as everyone elses.
I realise it's not always possible and that they have every right to travel at whatever time they like. I just wish that, given the already large traffic congestion between certain times of the morning, shoppers wouldn't add unnecessarily to it.

OP posts:

DidoTheDodo · 05/12/2014 15:06

As a worker you could always get to work half an hour or so earlier if it bothers you that much. And have a coffee or something.

But everyone is entitled to make their own decisions as to when they travel/shop/visit medical professionals etc so YABU.

DomiKatetrix · 05/12/2014 15:18

I'd rather do my Christmas shopping early whilst it's quiet than worry about other people being inconvenienced

MaryWestmacott · 05/12/2014 15:43

you know what OP, you could probably go to work early to avoid the rush hour that you chose to add to the congestion at that time, how selfish are you? Of course you could pay for an extra hour childcare and get up earlier, and put yourself out to make someone else's trip to work slightly easier. Or you could do what you do, leave when it suits you, which is when it also suits a lot of other people to travel.

It's nicer to shop when the shops are quiet. It's easier to get a parking space and IME, people who arrive at the shops at 9am are there at that time because they've got better things to do that dedicate a whole day to shopping, so they don't meander about faffing in other people's way - they hit the shops they plan to go in, get what they plan to get and then leave. It's just a much more pleasant experience compared to shopping 2-3 hours later.

Original poster

Fallingovercliffs · 05/12/2014 15:50

Not really comparable Mary. A lot of shoppers have discretion as to when they can travel and by choosing morning rush hour they are adding to the difficulty of commuters while also making a long journey for themselves.
I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to travel at that time, or that they're being selfish. I'm just saying I wish they wouldn't as it really doesn't make sense for everyone to be thronging into town at the same time, when it isn't absolutely necessary.

OP posts:

MaryWestmacott · 05/12/2014 15:57

Well yes, lots of shoppers do have discretion, which is why if you go to the shops closer to lunchtime, you'll find it far busier with more people in the shops than at 9am. It might seem to you like everyone is going at 9am, but few shopping areas have their busiest time at first doors opening.

Some people who are shopping that day chose to go first thing, some because they have plans later in the day, some because they prefer to shop when it's quieter.

You might wish people didn't use the road when you need to be on it, but you might well find other people feel the same about you, few commuters really couldn't go to work early, it just doesn't suit most people to go in before they are paid to be at work.

(And you'll probably find the extra traffic at that time is manly made up of extra staff and extra deliveries.)

Original poster

Fallingovercliffs · 05/12/2014 16:00

I think the reason the shops are busier at lunchtime is because that is when 9-5 workers are free to do some shopping.

However, accept that some people think IABU

OP posts:

apotatoprintinapeartree · 05/12/2014 16:01

YABU

I shop when I want to and really don't bother myself about what other people choose to do.
Could you not set out earlier?

Mrsjayy · 05/12/2014 16:10

Do these people have their Christmas shopping hats on or something how do you know they are off shopping as 1 of those pesky early shoppers id rather go to town early get it out the way and home again I am obviously a selfish moo

MaryWestmacott · 05/12/2014 16:10

not really all explained that way, when I worked in retail, 11am - 3pm was the busiest time, then a lull until 5-7pm for the post work people. It's just that if all you have to do on a day is go shopping, you often don't leave until mid-morning.

aintnothinbutagstring · 05/12/2014 16:51

I'm sure I've seen a thread on MN that non-working people should try to not visit the self service tills at supermarket during standard office hr lunchtimes... so as not to hold up office staff putting through only their sandwich... It gave me a laugh that one did, do people actually think like this? OP, sorry YABU.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 05/12/2014 17:54

Of course you have an option when to travel (within reason)!

As others have said, there is nothing stopping you getting in a little earlier or staying at work a little later is there?

But you don't want to do that.

And other people want to get to the shops whilst they still stand a fighting chance of parking the car.

Look on the bright side, it's nearly January.

CiderwithBuda · 05/12/2014 21:51

I'm one of those people. I drop DS at school and head into town - it's easy to park at that time. I pay for two hours, go have a coffee while waiting for the shops to open and go do my shopping. So I'm then heading back to my car around 10.30. By that stage lots of cars are circling the car park looking for a space which I can then kindly vacate for one of them. I'm doing the late shoppers a favour really!

joanne1947 · 05/12/2014 21:54

Use the bus or train or cycle. Why drive and add the congestion?

IceniMist · 05/12/2014 21:59

On my non working days I will most certainly be up and out early. Why should I waste my day to make your day easier? I get little spare time so ill make the most of it.

CiderwithBuda · 05/12/2014 22:00

Buses very unrealiable and wouldn't work to get DS to school.
Nearest train station is IN town.
Don't have a bike and can't imagine I would be able to carry much on it if I did.

Chasingsquirrels · 05/12/2014 22:05

Cambridge traffic is just dreadful at the moment, only two more weeks of it though.

GoAndDoSomeWork · 05/12/2014 22:23

Cambridge will have been particularly busy today and will be this weekend partly as the university term ended yesterday so all the parents are here to pick up their kids ...

Chasingsquirrels · 05/12/2014 22:34

I haven't been in today and dp didn't say it was particularly bad. Dec is always bad but this year is dreadful.

ShadowKat · 06/12/2014 00:15

I went to the shops today - arrived at the shops about noon as I had some other errands to run first and it took ages to find a parking space. Shops were very busy too.

From a getting Christmas shopping done point of view, I think it's preferable to sit in rush hour traffic. Once you actually get to the shops, it's much more relaxing that way.

Ludoole · 06/12/2014 01:03

My pensioner mum goes early as im only available in the mornings to watch my dad who has alzheimers... Im fairly sure she isnt the only person working against a limited respite break...

ForalltheSaints · 06/12/2014 07:35

Most of them probably never even consider the impact of their own journeys. If we did not put the clocks back in winter, then this would not happen as shoppers would go out later.

Panzee · 06/12/2014 07:37

Only chance of getting parked this time of year!

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 06/12/2014 07:43

Op YABU. How dare you start a thread having a mild whinge about traffic being busy

I hate rush hour buses. I walk to work rather than be a sardine for 20 mins. Getting on them voluntarily to do shopping seems madness to me.

LineRunner · 06/12/2014 07:43

People on warfarin (which is a lot of older people) are told to get their blood test done as early as possible in the morning as it has to be tested and reported back on the same day.

The same with fasting blood tests for people with chronic conditions - get in early and then eat something.

I'm pretty sure older people don't haunt the steps of health centres for a laugh.

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