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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want kids to pack my shopping

80 replies

Banana99 · 20/08/2016 11:47

Just did a flying visit to the supermarket with a very grumpy child and a broken shopping bag.
I didn't want anymore bags for life as I have a few 1.2 million

Kids ask if they can pack my bag, I say no, I have one bag and I want to get everything in - THE FACES! And then their coach or whoever comes over is also giving me looks!

I have a £20 note in my purse, nothing else, just used all my change to pay for tea whilst child was at lesson

It's the pulling of faces! Isn't it a choice. I have used them in the past, used a billion plastic bags.....

OP posts:
SamVJ888 · 20/08/2016 12:31

Just had this today. Two kids at most 7 years old, I said no thankyou to their offer of help and they then spent the entire time doing handstands at the side of me and giving everyone in the fucking supermarket a running countdown of how much I was spending!!

TaterTots · 20/08/2016 12:32

The best thing about the charge for bags is the end of bag packers. I know it's meant to be helpful, but in my experience they only put a couple of items in each bag. Fine if you have a car you can wheel a trolley out to - pretty useless if you're on foot or the bus.

DameXanaduBramble · 20/08/2016 12:32

Just say no, they don't care. It's a case of getting through the two hours so they can go home. Believe me, they don't want to be there any more than you want them to pack.

VioletBam · 20/08/2016 12:35

Yanbu! I can't even stand it when young cashiers pack for me! Shoving potatoes on top of bread and throwing biscuits in first!

NO idea.

meck · 20/08/2016 12:35

I don't really like it, but given that if I ever brave the supermarket (I'm an online shopper for groceries) I only ever throw the stuff into bags myself, then I'm not too fussy about them actually packing. I'll always give them a donation though, it's usually dance or gym clubs raising money and they're always supervised.

FallenStar3 · 20/08/2016 12:37

In the same I don't carry change, I only see morrisons doing it. I think asda and tesco knocked it on the head years ago as I tend to see them in those stores.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 20/08/2016 12:39

Just ask them to unload the trolley instead, if you are happy to donate.

Then you can pack how you want.

Sooverthis · 20/08/2016 12:39

I like it I always ask them to put fruit veg in a separate bag and supervise/pack myself. I like the interaction and if you take the time to show how you like it done you both benefit. If I've got dgc with me we all help.

boygirlmama2 · 20/08/2016 12:41

I never let the kids pack my bags, I'm a bit neurotic with my shopping - it's gets packed in the order I'd put it away at home!!

The dirty looks don't bother me, I usually have a screaming two year old and baby in tow anyway!! Confused

idontlikealdi · 20/08/2016 12:42

I refuse - there are rules to how the bags are packed in this house.

I'll give some change if it's something I want to contribute to and have any change.

ThomasHardyPerennial · 20/08/2016 12:42

I see them in Sainsbury's and Tesco where I live. I always say no thank you, and pop some change in the bucket. Do I get a thank you? Not bloody likely.

MangoMoon · 20/08/2016 12:45

You do realise you are actually allowed to talk to them, don't you?!

I usually tell them I have a packing system and point out what goes where (I load the checkout in the right order anyway so it comes through organised).
If I've no change I'll get a couple of pounds cash back off my card for them.

Loads of places do it round where I live & the kids are usually all very polite & friendly.
My eldest has done it with the Army Cadets, he said it was mostly elderly people that were chatting with them (maybe they were less busy/stressed/more time etc?).

Passmethecrisps · 20/08/2016 12:47

I let them sometimes if I only have a few bits. I remember once a pair of wee footballers going through every item of my shopping and commenting on it. They were very funny actually.

I was childless, had few items and wasn't in a rush.

I would be slightly more inclined to swerve them now

SpookyPotato · 20/08/2016 12:53

I've never seen this but I would be saying no too.. Maybe pop a bit of change in if I had some but it's not your fault you didn't have any.

MaitlandGirl · 20/08/2016 12:53

The checkout staff pack for you over here and it's taken me nearly 7 years to stop wanting to pick apart their packing skills.

I put everything on the belt in the right order for packing but it never ends up in the bags that way.

GerdaLovesLili · 20/08/2016 13:04

They've got it the wrong way round.... they should threaten you with packing unless you cough up.

Threefaries · 20/08/2016 13:05

Another plus point for online shopping.

humblesims · 20/08/2016 13:06

I am a total control freak when it comes to bag packing at the checkout. I hate things being packed not to my satisfaction. BUT I manage to get over myself and let the kids do it sometimes. They are volunteering their own time to be there and raise money for charity and for that they should be praised and encouraged, its not the end of the fucking world if they bread gets a bit squashed (cant believe I'm saying that but its true!). They are learning valuable social skills especially if they have to deal with a mardy bunch like you lot.

annie1959 · 20/08/2016 13:07

I hate it, but to be fair they usually step back with a smile and I give them my spare change if I have any (and if they are raising money for a cause I would support)

Ragwort · 20/08/2016 13:14

This comes up so often on Mumsnet Grin.

Personally I love having someone to pack my shopping and for years I've been involved in bag packing for fund raising and it's a great way to make money.

I've never known anyone be sulky or disappointed if you just say a polite 'no thank you' .............. mostly the kids are pleased that they can laze around a bit more Grin.

Boogers · 20/08/2016 13:30

Hate, hate, hate anyone packing my bags, including H! I don't want bleach going in with my bread, nor do I want a 2l bottle of coke going in with a box of eggs. H knows to just step back but with bag packers (cubs, dance clubs etc) I give a firm but polite no but always put money in the bucket.

EverySongbirdSays · 20/08/2016 13:34

I used to LOVE doing bag packing as a kid. You're all meanies! Kids learn things whilst raising money for a cause. Usually one that you can't get funding for like making sure that the parents who can't afford to send their kids on a trip that the others go on get to go.

I can't fathom those who've never seen it. Haven't done it in years but the first time I did it was 25 years ago

Christ I'm old

megletthesecond · 20/08/2016 13:35

Yanbu. I always chuck some money in the bucket though.

I did let them pack once when I'd bought a couple of items that were fairly robust. But you don't want heavy items dumped on bananas or bread.

Bearfrills · 20/08/2016 13:36

It wasn't a Sainsbury's inside a small Northumberland shopping centre was it....?

Willow2016 · 20/08/2016 13:37

Never seen them learn how to pack a bag properly yet! Smile

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