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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Hitting the sales with your bored family members

59 replies

Menora · 27/12/2019 13:18

Was in M&S. shopping on my break. Can’t get to the rails in the women’s sections as bored husbands/adults sons are standing in front of all the granny pants and leggings, blocking the aisles, blocking doorways, walking slowly through shops with no awareness of anyone else around them. One zombie husband holding the bags wandered aimlessly into at least 2 women and didn’t even apologise to them. Women were holding up knitted items for husbands opinion - one made a kind of grunt in approval. Some of them managed to escape by yelling IM GOING TO COSTA DO YOU WANT A LATTE and as I walked back to work, all the coffee shops are inhabited by lone men with bags on the seat next to them. I went upstairs to the home/men’s section - home was packed, men’s was deserted.

AIBU to think it would be a good idea to have like a holding pen area in shops with peg hooks in shops where men/your bored teenagers can stand? Or am I jealous as I am single and I have no one to hold my bags?

The only bargain I got was some £10 leggings which I managed to carry myself

OP posts:

Original poster

Menora · 27/12/2019 13:47

I totally get it if your partner is actively involved in the shopping with you, but I spent 45 mins in this shop today and it did not seem to be an interactive experience for most couples

OP posts:

Silenttype · 27/12/2019 13:49

I work in retail and was working yesterday. Joy that it was. The amount of full family outings, stranded buggies and bickering couples was ridiculous. And some very, very rude customers! Wouldn't dream of takin DP or DC's out while i mindlessly browse rails, drop shit all over the floor and leave it there, then buy things for the simple reason that they're on sale
But then I only shop in sales online

Ihatesundays · 27/12/2019 13:49

I thought this yesterday. I popped into town to pick something up we had previously ordered.
Shocked at the number of whole families shopping. Mum, dad, 3 kids.... kids going mental with boredom. Bloody men just standing in M&S looking totally lost.
Why can’t people just go in on their own?

Drabarni · 27/12/2019 13:49

Sounds like the husband's just gave their wives money for xmas.
If they'd bought pressies they needn't be at the sales.

TSSDNCOP · 27/12/2019 13:51

YANBU I shop like a ninja. Hangers on just slow me down.

NameChangeNugget · 27/12/2019 13:52

Sounds like the husband's just gave their wives money for xmas
If they'd bought pressies they needn't be at the sales

Did you forget it was 2019 and women do earn their own money?

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 27/12/2019 13:53

I only ever shop on my own, unless it's something for the home.

TSSDNCOP · 27/12/2019 13:54

Maybe I love family time too much...sigh

Comment of the day. Brilliant!

Aroundnabout1 · 27/12/2019 13:56

I saw in one shop (Fat Face i think) they had a little lounge area done up with armchairs and a kettle and biscuits for mostly the men. It was such a good idea.

MrsDoylesTeaBags · 27/12/2019 13:57

I'm also a ninja shopper. I can't think of anything worse than taking my husband shopping with me, and neither could he for that matter.

Loveislandaddict · 27/12/2019 13:58

Just comeback from Tesco and made a similar comment. lots of whole families shopping.

Elieza · 27/12/2019 13:58

Ha ha hilarious. They should totally put tv’s playing live sky sports and reruns of this weeks football games near the front or preferably outside shops. That way the males would all congregate there, telling the women to take their time shopping and leaving the shop free for those who are actually spending cash to get in unimpeded.
Apologies to those who find this blatantly sexist post offensive!!

Original poster

Menora · 27/12/2019 14:01

I think a little corner is a great idea!
I actually feel sympathy for the bored shopping companions to be fair.

OP posts:

sproutsgalore · 27/12/2019 14:07

Yep - time for shops to sort out a Mancreche

Football on the telly, free wi-fi and a few car magazines dotted about. And possibly some Lego. Champion.

Missushb · 27/12/2019 14:08

Agree. I love shopping alone. Hate that someone trailing with you carry on! Shopping then a cup of tea, all alone thanks!

Babybel90 · 27/12/2019 14:10

YANBU this is one of my bugbears, I go to the city centre shopping at least once a week all year round, spending money and helping keep those shops going, then it comes to Christmas and suddenly all these OTHER PEOPLE emerge from god-knows-where getting in my way and taking up space! Where the hell are these people the rest of the year?! (Rant over, I know I am being unreasonable )

Zaphodsotherhead · 27/12/2019 14:13

I cannot understand why some people consider shopping to be an 'activity' akin to going to a park or walking round a gallery.

Why doesn't everyone just put a coat on and go for a nice long walk instead? It's cheaper.

dogcrazy · 27/12/2019 14:15

I don’t understand why people are so keen to shop after all the Christmas shopping, the sales aren’t even that great! We haven’t been in a shop since Christmas Eve and won’t for a few more days.

zafferana · 27/12/2019 14:16

I don't understand why these spineless men trail round after their OHs. I see it in the supermarket too - dripping husband standing in the middle of the flipping aisle, totally unaware that he's in everyone's way. Why???? Are there seriously so many women who can't drive? Drives me insane.

zafferana · 27/12/2019 14:16

*drippy, not dripping!

Witchend · 27/12/2019 14:19

Ds quite likes clothes shopping for me.
He hate clothes shopping for himself.

However he has an annoying habit of laughing when I've tried something on.

Original poster

Menora · 27/12/2019 14:21

@dogcrazy

I wasn’t sure what gifts I would get for Xmas and I really needed PJ’s so I went out to look for some! Sometimes it’s easier to get things for £3 there and then rather than then have to pay for shipping online. I got some half price leggings, half price PJ’s and a t-shirt for £3. I did want some work bits but they didn’t put anything like that in the sale. It was pretty much all jumpers 😂

OP posts:

Straycatstrut · 27/12/2019 14:22

When I was out earlier it was all women stood around with their trolly sideways deliberately blocking the sales rails.

All I saw really was xmas jumpers and glittery and fluffy sequin monstrosities.

I got DS1 a fluffy onesie £6 reduced from 10 and me all basic black leggings/bras/vest tops all usual cheap price.

Not worth the bus fare.

Tbh I'm waiting for all the diet/exercise stuff on sale in the NY

Deathraystare · 27/12/2019 14:22

Utter madness!

One of the porters this lunchtime showed me a pic in the Sun of crowds of people including babies in pushchairs queuing around the block. Fun for the kiddies eh?

No way would I bother.

TheHootiestChristmasOwl · 27/12/2019 14:24

I hate shopping with other people. I like going on my own.

And yes I don’t understand the family trips out to A&E either, I’m a nurse and see it a lot. It’s not a day out.

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