To think how dare she! I haven’t done anything wrong have I?

[Deedee9]

So, a friend of mine took it upon herself to tell me off last night. Why? Because I ordered some birthday cards online for my family including my ds who is 16 in a few weeks and my mum who’s 60 a few days later. Now it’s rare I order anything online as usually I like to go into shops, but considering card shops are shut and Tesco and Asda in my area are running low on cards I thought I’d order some online.

She told me it’s people like me adding to the crisis ordering non essential stuff and I’m not thinking of the delivery people risking heir lives. To be honest at first it upset me as she’s supposed to be my friend but then I got really angry. When I thought about it I’ve come to realise just how bloody judgemental she is. It was my dd’s birthday the first week of lockdown and my friend messaged me whilst I was waiting in the queue at Asda. I had gone for some essential food items but also to get my dd some balloons and banners. I hadn’t gone solely for the balloons and banners etc yet my friend called me irresponsible. My Facebook news feed is full of people ordering bbq’s, swimming pools play equipment, clothes etc but I haven’t commented because one it’s not my place to tell people what to buy and two it’s none of my fooking business. AIBU?

Urgh. Life hasn’t stopped, just some of it is on hold for some of us. Having a job right now when so many have lost or are going to lose theirs should be a positive in her life. If she doesn’t want to do it, she needs to resign and let someone else have a go. I have ordered all sorts - some of it needed, some of it frivolous. All of it is helping to keep someone’s job, somewhere!

I came down with Covid-19 symptoms just over a month ago and I am still recovering. I've been buying some books online to cheer myself up (Wordery, not Amazon) and also some naice food and beer. The basket police can indeed fuck off.

I’ve ordred quite a bit online and sent thing from amazon to friends and family for their birthday since lockdown. No one has said not to so I will continue to do so.

NOT a friend if you can distance yourself and realise you've done nothing wrong at all.

There are a lot of self appointed police at the moment. There is a very good argument for trying to support smaller businesses online anyway. I’d just back away from her right now and don’t share the details of your life at all, then she can’t share her opinion.

I was in the supermarket the other day. I had a massive trolly full to the brim, containing shopping for four households; my family of four and three other households of elderly or immune compromised. The supermarket in question is a fairly small store and the staff know Im shopping for others as part of a community scheme. I was just looking for something when some woman rounded on me and started lecturing me and calling me a selfish bitch. A bit of a crowd gathered and I let her finish then gave her both barrels until she was stuttering apologies. There are far too many people busying themselves with others’ behaviour without first knowing the circumstances.

The other policing that’s really getting on my tits is the Clapping Police; where I am the avid clappers who are full of disapproval of those not on their doorstep at 8pm on a Thursday are exactly the same ones who never had a good word for the NHS before all this.

It says more about their character than their good sense.

Online shopping is keeping some companies afloat and saving jobs, including the Royal Mail and courier staff who'd be out of a job if we didn't do it.

I've been making scrubs, masks and ear-saving headbands for the last 3 weeks and had to order materials for them online. I've bought large amounts of vitamin tablets online. I've bought wax melts and candles to make staying in a one-bedroomed flat with a man and a cat who make a hobby out of farting a more tolerable experience. I've bought books, CDs and DVDs online to entertain us as it's helping us cope with the 4 1/2 weeks social distancing we've already done with god alone knows how long still to go.

Stopping ordering online would make no sense when it comes to keeping the economy ticking over.

Unless we want our economy to completely tank, then it is the Duty of all British Citizens to buy as much stuff as they can afford.

She is being completely unpatriotic and will be causing massive future hardship. There are going to be Government announcements about this shortly. You can laugh at her then.

By buying stuff online we are still keeping part of our economy going jobs still going and like you OP we had my DS birthday during this lockdown and I've got other family members I've ordered gifts for them to be sent

More and more stores are back to opening their websites now to ensure they are keeping themselves afloat during these tough times

People still need clothes shoes etc especially those with children who grow more than most adults

I seen it so I’m doing my bit to keep the economy ticking over, we’ve ordered a few things online from cycle helmets, to bags, to shoes. It’s the same guy that delivers it all and he’s so cheery and happy.

She doesnt sound like a good friend , I think she needs to look for a new job!

Tell her to 'do one'

During the last few weeks I have ordered a book, two DVDs, a sports bra, a protein treatment for my hair, shampoo, a hairdryer, and a new set of earphones

Better to keep the purchase of things to whatever we need as opposed to what we want. . If someone wants to buy stuff online why not donate the money to charity online instead? You’ll still get the buzz and it’ll go to someone who needs it

Because it's up to me what I spend my own money on

Delivery people are mostly self employed and likely very pleased of the continued work. (The ones ive spoken to certainly have been) If everyone totally stopped ordering everything our economy will end up even worse than it already is. No one has told us to stop ordering things (apart from some of the covid police who like to make their own rules)

It's my birthday next Friday. I already have 2 cards and am grateful for them - to know at least that bit of life is normal.

And as pps have said, buying cards online is safer than going out to a shop..... and just think how many more people would be out of work if we stopped buying online.

If no one ordered things your friend would be out of a job!!
She's being a dick but mainly, it's none of her business.

Your friend has no idea, op. I couldn't be doing with her and I'd delete her.

Like everybody. else I've been on lockdown for eleventyhundred months and if I don't get a birthday card on Tuesday I'll despair.
But just in case I've ordered myself a box of crisps.

OP, this woman isn’t your friend. As soon as you realise this, things will become a lot clearer.

Ghost her. What’s to be gained by staying in contact? If you fancy being nice, explain to her why you don’t want her in your life any longer but for goodness sake let her go. As a PP said now you have noticed it, you won’t be able to avoid seeing all her judgy comments and it will just irritate you or worse.

Like everybody. else I've been on lockdown for eleventyhundred months and if I don't get a birthday card on Tuesday I'll despair.

My brother didn't bother, the miserable shit. He's the first to moan if someone doesn't get him something. The most I got was a second hand text message saying happy birthday.

Mind you, I always knew he was a selfish tosser.

It's people like you keeping the economy going.
So many people have had to cut back on everything unnecessary and can't do this. It's a shame, I'm one of them, but life goes on.
I want the businesses to be there when we are back on our feet again.

You are right about her being judgemental, it's surprising how many people are showing their true colours, or maybe we are seeing them better.
It's time to delete her from your life, she doesn't bring anything positive to your life, by the sounds of it.

You haven't done anything wrong.
Plus a lot of companies are relying on people buying online, just to keep their businesses afloat through this!

I have ordered loads online. Some necessary, some not so..I give no shits what people think. Am glad to keep the economy going. Deliveries are highlight of our day. Am currently waiting on a new vacuum cleaner..

I run a small business online selling greetings cards, gifts, homewares etc and more people than usual have been ordering cards from me and sending gifts to friends and family. I even offer to handwrite cards and send them directly. It's a nice way to keep connected with people and maintaining mental health is very much essential.
Plus, for me and other small businesses, it's the one thing keeping us afloat (especially because I don't benefit from any of the governments support).

The fucker.
Happy birthday, PhilCornwall1

This time is just a god send for the virtue signallers and pearl clutchers. They are in their element.

My friend is a courier. She actually said if it wasn't for people buying all manner of shit online she'd be at the foodbank because she'd be so skint.

@BillywilliamV
I live for my deliveries of pointless crap! this made me laugh, it’s so my life

She can't stop you doing your online shopping; you can't stop her having her feelings about it.

But she can stop her feelings spilling out and she can stop taking things out on a friend.

I completely agree with @Vanhi about cooling some friendships - I've lost a friend already because we disagreed over the sharing of scary statistic memes and sensationalist stuff. I've had other friends turn into fully paid-up members of the Officious Twat Brigade, with passive-aggressive posts on social media telling everyone what do do (mostly shouting at others to STAY HOME!!!! regardless of the need for extravagances such as food or medication purchases). Social media is a way of connecting to others and feeling a bit less lonely, so I've snoozed those people until this has all calmed down.

I know their reaction comes from the same fear and worry that we all have, and this is just their way of dealing with it, but that doesn't mean we have to be their punchbags.