to HATE supermarkets and feel ill for at least 5 minutes every-time I have to go in one

[pastalady]

Does anyone else find this? I had to give up my car last year and now DP does the weekly shop, so it's been ages since I've had to go. I normally just tottle off to the small ones on foot and buy about 10 things if needed. I had to go yesterday and I was unprepared for how hellish it was! The Tesco's in question is now the size of a small village and full to capacity with angry people and crying children. Just finding the simplest thing took hours because the place was so vast. Trying to think what we needed for DS's birthday party and the next few days, how much it was costing etc amid the lights, noise, caos, overwelming choice of products, maze of narrow isles...we lost at least 90 minutes in that place and when we finally got to the check-out my head was thumping and I was almost in tears.

Am I just a big wimp, sensitive as pregnant, who has spent far too long away from them or are they genuinely hellish places that are designed to whip is into a sate of bemused confusion so we can part with our cash more easily?

I'd like to add that at at least two or three times I found myself just standing there and staring blankly into the distance.

I was also snapped at aggressively by some women when I accidently invaded her space whilst picking up some green beans and when I apologised she blanked me and walked off!

Could you shop on line for the regular essentials, and go to the smaller shop for extras? I hate these vast places too, so no, I don't think you are being unreasonable.

i agree i dread going food shopping,or any kind of shopping for that matter.friends think i'm weird cause i can't bear to go shopping for clothes/shoes when they all love it.i just find it so stressful and godamn noisy.especially when they have music playing!!grrrrr

Luckily, that's the first time I've had to go in one for ages because DP does it now my car has been sold. He doesn't mind it that much. Definatly an idea though if the responsability falls on me again.

Go to greengrocers / market for fruit and veg

Wholesalers / health shop / online for staples

eat less processed food

cook more fresh stuff

get milk delivered

avoid supermarkets

Exactly why I've never looked back from online shopping, occasionally stop in the supermarket for odd items or ones that don't keep and are only available in supermarkets, but still don't like it. Fortunately I live in a place which excels in open all hours Turkish shops whose range on some products makes Tesco and Sainsburys look pathetic.

I've never been wild about clothes shopping and I've gone off more frivolous shops (books, CDs, DVDs) since I got pregnant last summer - just as well for my finances really.

I tend to think homicidal thoughts in crowded shops like Primark so I avoid those like the plague esp on market days combined with sale periods.

Some Tescos are so huge that you need a map to find things in them - I've believed for years it's to get us to part with more dosh in our panic to get out again .

Shop online for the essnntials and when you do have to go, get your DH/DP to do the shopping (armed with a list) whilst you sit in the cafe with a cup of tea instead.

Pastalady,I avoid supermarkets but when I go in them I feel exactly like you do.
Summed up beautifully.

Christ knows why they think it's convenient.
Battling in and out leaves me exhausted.

I'm not bothered. Prefer the larger ones as you tend to be able to choose what you want rather then thinking oh they've only got that and not the other thing.

Glad you all don't think I'm nuts to react like that. DP does, unfortunatily, and on the way home announced that 'he is never going to the supermarket with me again, ever'. His brain is wired very differently to mine and they just don't seem to bother him. He got so annoyed by me because I was either standing there, staring sadly into the distance or nagging at him to hurry up (desperate to get out!!!) when he was taking ages deciding what pack of cheese was the cheapest. So, unless DP starts refusing to go, thinking about it, I have lessened my chances of having to go again because DP wont take me! Hurray!

My dp is like this in supermarkets. They make him really angry, and he either rants or goes silent and strides like terminator along the aisles, missing all the food we need to actually put in the trolley.

I hate it if its busy, and we have both small children with us, and dp is in Basil Fawlty mode, but on my own when its not too busy i quite like it, but i live in a tiny village, so i get very excited about all the pretty colours and the bright lights and the fun trolleys.

online shopping is the answer....i know exactly how you feel. I used to feel like that every week in Sainsburys...am much better now...but still hate big shopping...hence online shop

Boco - lol at "Basil Fawlty mode"

Hate online food shopping. They always leave things out or deliver the wrong thing, meaning you have to go to the supermarket anyway, so totally self-defeating.

I actually like going to the supermarket, because I like to look at all the food.

I like to check out the food I am buying, but am happy to get toilet rolls, washing powder etc in bulk, online.