Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find going to a supermarket an absolute ordeal

144 replies

Jellybean27 · 27/03/2020 22:13

God. Despite the social distancing, the few in few out, additional cleaning etc etc.
I found myself having a cry in the car afterwards. (Obviously whilst rubbing copious amounts of hand gel into my hands and avoiding touching my face until I get could get home and scrub fuck out of them for way more than 20 seconds)

My first time out of the house in days and it was seriously overwhelming.

Really need to sort myself out 🙄

OP posts:
TheWordmeister · 27/03/2020 22:15

I went to Tesco today - saw the queue and decided against it.

I then went to a local co-op and that was fine.

cardibach · 27/03/2020 22:16

Hated every second when I had to go today. Grim. People weren’t careful enough inside the shop. Everything was silent and scary. I’m going to avoid it again for as long as humanly possible.

Gohackyourself · 27/03/2020 22:18

Funnily enough I felt exactly the same today.i think it bought it home once again , how serious and dreadful it is.

thebeatofthedrum · 27/03/2020 22:20

I managed to get a click and collect slot for this evening but even so I had to take DH with me in the car just to calm my nerves! He stayed in the car while I dealt with the shopping but it was much better than I expected. If I ever manage to get another slot I know I'll be okay by myself.

Big kudos to the staff there though - they were so cheerful, while keeping their distance!

BubblesBuddy · 27/03/2020 22:20

I quite like being let out of prison! It’s not quite solitary confinement as DH is here but I look forward to my solitary escapes. Just a decent hand wash when I get back but it’s bliss driving there and back!

The little country lane back to my house was blocked today though with a huge delivery lorry delivering enormous bags of gravel! Tomorrow I’m walking over to see what was going on! Can’t wait. The sheer joy of being nosy and having a reason to go on a walk, other than to exercise, is quite a moment in my now boring life.

ACertainSupermarket · 27/03/2020 22:22

YANBU and I work there. The staff are so stressed. Me and many of my colleagues go home, strip off at the door and straight into the shower.
If only people would follow the guidance:
Go on your own, if you can.
Go as little as you can.
Sort out any elderly relatives and get some sense into them, they are doing no-one any favours with stubborn independence.
This is an emergency, a pandemic, a once in a lifetime situation. It doesn't really matter if you can't get exactly what's on your list. Facebook your need for sanitary protection, toilet roll, etc - people are helping each other.
The pictures of unused binned food I've seen today are disgusting.

YouTheCat · 27/03/2020 22:24

I hate food shopping at the best of times which is why I usually shop online. Not possible at the moment obviously and nor would I use a delivery slot up when I'm perfectly able to do it myself. I'll be doing a big shop on Monday and not looking forward to it.

Flipreverseit · 27/03/2020 22:26

My husband went out to the shop for the first time in over a week today. He’s normally a pretty robust person but he washed his hands 18 times in the half an hour after he came back and was properly shaky.
We’ve got enough to keep us going for another 2 weeks if we’re careful and don’t want to return again!!

Hilda40 · 27/03/2020 22:27

Our Tesco was a marvel of organised discipline and calm. 25 minutes queue, tranquil shopping, reasonable stocks. Thanks to the staff and security.

DippyAvocado · 27/03/2020 22:29

Yes, so stressful, including the previously unknown worry of wondering if you'll be able to get what you need. It did make me realise how privileged my everyday life is though - plentiful food readily available whenever I need it.

Haworthia · 27/03/2020 22:30

Went out on Tuesday and hated every second. Felt simultaneously totally normal and like I was dicing with death just being out (I’m being slightly facetious Grin)

I’ll need to go out again soon but I’ll put it off as long as possible.

Original poster
Jellybean27 · 27/03/2020 22:35

No complaints to make in that respect. The queues were calm, staff were doing a great job, shelves were stocked well.

Just bizarre and surreal how quickly this has become the norm. The silence, people avoiding eye contact, everyone just looked a little awkward and scared.

OP posts:
StandWithYou · 27/03/2020 22:35

It brought it home to me today- everyone was very quiet, shuffling round each other to try to keep their distance but being very considerate. I talked to someone on the checkout and asked how it was going and his reply was really upsetting. They have lots of elderly customers who come in each day and buy a couple of things as part of a routine and as part of their social interaction. Lots of them were saying goodbye to staff as they didn’t expect to see them in the future - lots of staff were very upset by it as well. It was very sad - I worry about people being isolated and the impact on their physical and mental health. There are so many ripple effects to this. This doesn’t even start to consider the impact on NHS and care workers - I hope there is support for them now and into the future.

speakout · 27/03/2020 22:37

I felt the same in ASDA today OP- it was a horrible experience.

Original poster
Jellybean27 · 27/03/2020 22:38

Haworthia I’m laughing, but also not. Definitely had moments of feeling that way!

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 27/03/2020 22:38

First time in a supermarket this week for me too today and so also found it very unsettling. It was all very organised and people were very polite but it was such a strange, end of the world atmosphere. I much preferred the chaos of a week ago. I came back and have found various online delivery places for vegetables/milk/eggs etc so I'm hoping not to have to go out again.

Tigresswoods · 27/03/2020 22:39

OP I know exactly what you mean. I haven't been in a proper supermarket in a week & were the sort of family who get a delivery every 5 days or so.

Local butchers, co-op & small delivery firms are your new friends.

I can't believe how much I took for granted the convenience of a supermarket!!!

Original poster
Jellybean27 · 27/03/2020 22:40

Exactly that StandWithYou :(

OP posts:
PositiveVibez · 27/03/2020 22:41

I work for a trade union and I am telling you now, the way managers have disregarded the health and well-being of their staff, I will NEVER shop in Matalan or Asda ever again.

I am scared of going to the shops too. My husband went today to Lidl and he said it was quite empty. Precautions for staff and shoppers in place and it was fine.

Choo975 · 27/03/2020 22:43

Very weird at Tesco the other day.

Co-op today had 20 in queue outside and Pharmacy had about 50. Off licence thankfully had 3 and that’s where I was heading

PositiveVibez · 27/03/2020 22:43

Incidents in one Asda store of people working in kiosks who in no way can keep a 2m distance. Especially when fuckwads are handing them their lottery tickets to check ffs. Is that a fucking essential 😠😠😠😠😠😠

zeddybrek · 27/03/2020 22:44

It is a horrible experience. I had to go to 3 places and just to get enough to last us a few days. It's weird, it's quiet, you can't get everything you need and you have to queue just to get inside.

Cunninglittlevixen · 27/03/2020 22:45

You've got hand gel?!

kerkyra · 27/03/2020 22:48

My first trip to tesco in eight days. Very scary .
And once I'd made it round and got to the checkout, I forgot my pin. Nver happened before.Three attempts and got locked out. Ran out to cash point and took a deep breath and remembered and withdrew cash.
Then big queue to get in again.
Finally paid. Couldnt wait to get home!