Customers in supermarket queues buying 2 items

[justasking111]

After a week of emptying cupboards reluctantly went out this morning. Standing in Tesco queue, two over 70s ladies behind me. one had given the other a lift. What do you need the driver said, oh just some cheese and a newspaper. They were not switched on by social distancing either despite the clear marks on the pavement.

Now I do think if you are over 70 and determined to get out well on your head be it. But for two items, for christs sake.

AIBU I being unreasonable to think that if you go to a supermarket it is to seriously stock up not for 2 items?

The legislation was clearly meant to stop people nipping out for whatever they fancy ie not basic

That's only your interpretation. If there were any actual limits on what you can buy or how often, don't you think the government would have actually published them?

The closest thing we have is the police college guidance, which clearly allows both the purchasing of luxury items within a 'proper shop' plus top up shops and purchase of things like a daily newspaper.

Leighalpenniesthigh...........Thats the best answer EVER on Mumsnet. Thankyou I love it.

I did a weeks shop at a supermarket.

Then on my way out I spotted something better than what I had purchased. I loaded my car and then I went back in (8.45pm so very few people in shop & no queue to get in).....I went back into the shop with the one thing I wanted to return & the one thing I wanted to buy instead. I queued at the checkout....with two things.
Sorted out the swap & the money difference & left.
So people in there COULD’VE judged me and thought that only had two things.
STUFF THEM.

I adhered to all social distancing and I kept myself safe (in turn, keeping others safe too).
There is WAY too much judging & running to the internet to slag others off going on!
You look after you and let other people sort themselves.
You don’t always know everything about a situation from the glimpse that you see!

I agree with you poster. The government said over 70's should stay in because they simply have lower immunity no matter how healthy they think they are. I've noticed the worst offenders for breaking this rule are the elderly, oh and workmen.

@Pensionista thank you. I was teetotal before those two bastards moved in with me!

I agree with you poster. The government said over 70's should stay in because they simply have lower immunity no matter how healthy they think they are. No the govt have said healthy over 70s should take particular care with social distancing.

I agree with OP you are supposed to shop for essential items and limit the number of trips you make . When you are over 70 your immune system is less efficient. It’s there choice not to stay at home but they are breaking rules by mixing households and even if they live together Supermarkets ask only one member of each household to shop. People are forgetting that the virus is still infectious and the reason for lockdown is you mix with as few people as possible. What you do is your personal choice but a little consideration for the greater good of all might get us out of this a whole lot quicker.

Myob maybe they need a bit of social interaction. Maybe they only eat cheese maybe they think lockdown is overdone. I can't understand the hysteria. Just do your shopping and try kind thoughts.

You're right, they should think, "can I do without this until next shop" but our government unlike other governments in countries where far far fewer people have died haven't made this really clear.

So everyone is doing a version of what they want and we just have to watch the death rate keep going up.

I would say for every person nipping to buy 2 things there are more at home being sensible. I wouldn't want to go in a germ filled supermarket for anything and I don't care if the germs are 2m away, neither do the germs

OP - never mention age on threads you will be accused of ageism on here. #snowflakes

Roll on Monday....

Maybe she has a full cupboard, hasn't shopped in weeks and buying some cheese was her first outing in 6 weeks. No one knows and most people don't care.

@boylovesmeerkats agree.

The defensiveness of many posters on here "what's their age got to do with it?" "So what" is shocking....no wonder UKs death toll is so bad.

I wouldn't want to go in a germ filled supermarket for anything and I don't care if the germs are 2m away, neither do the germs Well fortunately no one is forcing you to so that's great isn't it.

Honestly the mentality of some people. Get a life OP and stop being so unbearably petty. One of the things I dislike most about this situation is how certain people take the moral high ground and think they’re better than everyone else. You know jack shit about these ladies so just get on with your own shopping and go home.

“I think you should only go out in desperate need.”

Just because you think that doesn’t mend that other people will do as you say. It’s not a law. YOU stay inside and others will do what they want within the parameters of the government guidelines.

JDM27 and Lincolnfield
Great posts. My aunt worked till she was 75. She would still pass for 70 now and she is 90.

Here on MN 'elderly' is anyone over 50 and we should all give up work for the young uns and go sit quietly in our homes out the damm way.
Keep up the good work and the attitude. I aint going quietly either😉

I'm popping to the Co-Op in a bit as we have run out of the seeded bread I like. We have plain white sliced, and bagels, but I want the seeded stuff. Teenage DD is coming with me.

When I'm there I will probably pick up other non-essentials like ginger beer for DS (he could drink water out of the tap) and ice creams, and nice crisps, some guacamole or hummus, and maybe those nice little flapjack things they sell in the paper bags.

Should I expect a visit from the Chief Constable or head of the MN Shopping Stasi?

@PineappleDanish I'd also HIGHLY recommend some of the CoOp finest salt and vinegar crisps, which are the best crisps in the whole of the world, ever ever will never be beaten. They are an essential in this house.

I am so sick of trying to think of meals for the week and when I finally remember one we love (risotto) I can’t get the stuff for it in our Tesco’s when I go for the weekly shop .
Are people stocking up again or is it a supply issue??
This means I have to go out today just to get mascarpone, risotto rice and nutritional yeast (bleurgh)

You, OP, do realise that many of we over 70s only look at MN for the laughs we get from you and those like you. Are you so simple that you don't realise that a single 70 year old doesn't need to buy as much as a family of 5?

FWIW my Mil (75) lives on her own- she's really young, fit and healthy for her age (not that it matters) but her fridge only ever has a few items in it that she uses on the weekly, cheese being one of them...so if she runs out she will go to the local shop to replace, perhaps buy an extra loaf- but that's because she doesn't need anything else that week....

The next week (or two) she'll do her 'big ish' shop, that can probably last her about 2-3 weeks, being mostly freezables and tins.

It's been a big change for her, she'll usually be out and about every day, social activities
5x a week and and visits me and my 2 dds 3 times a week also- we haven't seen her now in 2 months, nor has she seen her other children who live 200 miles away- it's been really upsetting at times for us all, shes a big part in our lives as we are in hers. If someone was to pull her about her 'cheese' it might just send her over where in every other way she's followed 'the rules'.

Everyone has their own story.

Breaking News! A guilllotine has been erected in Trafalgar Square and the MN Stasi are being offered a special commission to drive the tumbrils bringing the old ladies who buy cheese for their imminent execution.

Those unfortunate enough to not be selected for tumbril duty are welcome to bring their knitting as long as they cluck, purse their lips and shake their heads despondently as the heinous criminals are consigned to their well deserved fate.

There will be front row seats for the unqualified legal experts from MN and they will be able to quote the rules - in suitably grave tones - and the ‘legislation’ because they like that.

Sadly, Government have yet to confirm what they propose to do with the decapitated corpses as the Council tips are unlikely to accept them.

Alternatively, Ministers are suggesting you all attend to your own families and your own business. If you’re SO bored, you could always volunteer to assist with food deliveries, sew up some scrubs for those of us working in the hospitals, or even help with delivery of PPE to care homes- but I guess that won’t appeal to anyone?

I agree with you OP. But then again I work in a supermarket. What might seem like low risk to you, spending 20mins in a supermarket buying cheese or seeded bread or whatever, is 45hrs a week of exposure for me, and increased risk to my children. People are avoiding GPs and A&Es, but supermarkets and other businesses still open don't get the same thought or care. Supermarket trips should be for essential shopping only as infrequently as possible, not an excuse to get out the house and turn it into a family day trip.