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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that people could be standing more than a milimetre from me in the checkout queue

38 replies

mastertomsmum · 02/12/2019 14:40

I was in the queue for the checkouts in M and S and turned my head to find some woman right up in my face. Why the …. did I say 'sorry' when she was clearly standing ridiculously close?

OP posts:
NearlyGranny · 02/12/2019 14:42

Step back on the toes of anyone whose breath you can feel on the back of your neck. Apologise profusely. Enjoy the personal space created.

FreedomfromPE · 02/12/2019 14:44

I've been known to swing my bag unexpectedly over my shoulder. Then surprised apologies as they get buffeted

PhilomenaChristmasPie · 02/12/2019 14:44

YANBU. I'm glad it's not just me. Even worse standing at my shoulder when I'm finishing at the self checkout. Xmas Angry

BooksAreMyOnlyFriends · 02/12/2019 14:47

I hate this. Especially when they start putting their stuff on the belt when it's evident I have a trolley full and need the space! Bugger off or wait.

MsPepperPotts · 02/12/2019 14:48

I used to get this all the time until I had to get a mobility scooter.
Everybody stays well back as these things are deadly in the wrong hands Halloween Grin

littlepaddypaws · 02/12/2019 14:49

i suffer from clompy reversing foot when someone stands too close, turn round, big smile 'oh, did i stand on your foot ? you must have been standing too close' don't give chance for response then turn away and go back to what i'm doing.

Hoppinggreen · 02/12/2019 14:51

I step back onto them and say “ I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were so close”

thesuninsagittarius · 02/12/2019 14:53

Why do people do this? Why? It doesn't make the person in front of you go any faster. I had a bloke do this when I was queueing up to get my prescriptions. I shuffled forward, he followed, till he was actually touching me! I said to him 'if you get any closer, we'll have to get engaged.' He leaped back at once.

Beamur · 02/12/2019 14:55

I hate it when people start putting their stuff on the conveyor while I still have lots to put out. But I simply ask them to take it off and wait until I have finished Grin so far the few cheeky buggers who have done this have been so surprised at being challenged they've simply picked their stuff up and waited.

User1223422 · 02/12/2019 15:40

@thesuninsagittarius what a genius retort! I am going to be stealing that in the future!

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 02/12/2019 15:42

I bloody hate this. And people putting stuff on the belt when you're still unloading. This is one of the many reasons why I do a weekly online shop and then for bits and pieces I use the self checkout. I basically hate people.

toomuchtooold · 02/12/2019 15:45

Has anyone ever seen a woman do the thing of putting stuff on the belt when you still have half a trolleyfull? It's been exclusively men I've seen do it. Winds me right up.

Seeline · 02/12/2019 15:50

Oh no - I've had women do it too. I just don't understand why they think it is a good idea? I make sure I take up as much room as possible with my remaining stuff, and keep shoving theirs back off the end. It really winds me up.

isitxmasalready · 02/12/2019 15:51

ooh yes I hate personal space invaders - move away!!! i usually elbow them accidentally on purpose.

Hoppinggreen · 02/12/2019 15:52

I just tell them to take their stuff off until I’ve finished loading.

Penners99 · 02/12/2019 16:02

"If you want to be up my arse then please use lube!"

littlepaddypaws · 02/12/2019 16:03

i stand in front of my trolley while unloading so the person behind can see if i have shopping to unload. that helps no end.

user1494670108 · 02/12/2019 16:08

I was sexually assaulted in a bus queue (whilst in my school uniform Shock) so I have a real thing about this. I will always Move, shuffle backwards, move bag, turn around - anything just to get them off my back. I often find its old people, no idea why.

Sweetpea55 · 02/12/2019 16:11

Iv been followed to the till when it's the 'one queue for all' procedure.
Queuing rules dictate that you keep in line until the next till is free.
Iv moved to be served only to find someone right behind me watching my transactions.

thecalmorchid · 02/12/2019 16:16

@BooksAreMyOnlyFriends@Beamur
I now stop unloading my trolly and give my best Paddington stare. They usually take things off the conveyor.

Once a very pushy man decided to unload his basket in the middle of my shopping. He put down a divider and just carried on.

I said excuse me, my things are still being unloaded, he failed to engage.

I got to the checkout and the first half of my shopping went through, the cashier tried to get me to pay, I refused until the cheeky man had passed the rest of my items forward, passed his shopping so I could check out in one go.

He looked so confused. Maybe he didn't shop in supermarkets often and didn't understand.

titnomatani · 02/12/2019 16:21

Hahahah! I'm stealing the 'will have to get engaged' gag the next time someone tries getting too close!

PhilomenaChristmasPie · 05/12/2019 14:26

It's even worse when it's at the self checkout chocolate. I've had people start scanning when I was still packing.

NearlyGranny · 05/12/2019 15:07

The early unloader gets, "Are you putting this through with my shopping? Which of us do you suppose will pay for it?" Works every time.

Sunflowersok · 05/12/2019 15:57

Someone walked in on me once having a wee in Starbucks and I said sorry to her Hmm

Rude people OP! Maybe practice not saying sorry to people as a New Years resolution when it’s a situation where clearly they are the problem!

Hoppinggreen · 05/12/2019 16:52

I once asked a persistent checkout offender if it was their first time in a supermarket and did she need me to explain how It all worked ?