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AIBU?

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Original poster

Oxford Street shops - crowds without distancing

163 replies

VenusOfWillendorf · 15/06/2020 12:27

I've just been watching the BBC news over my lunch, and they were reporting on the shops reopening. The first shopping center they were at looked good - queue to get in but well distanced and marked out and everyone looking happy to be out and about again.

Then they went to NikeTown on Oxford street - it looked more like the opening of the Black Friday Sales! There looked to be no distancing at all - just a crowd literally pushing and shoving to get in the door.

I don't understand why the shop opened at all with a crowd like that - surely they should have remained closed and had their security (who looked to be overwhelmed) tell everyone to go home? Or does the fact that there seemed to be no distancing with the demonstrations at the weekend make the whole thing meaningless anyway?

Should shops that are unable to enforce social distancing either inside or outside be allowed to open?
YABU - They should be open, they all need the income now

YANBU - They should close if they can't maintain the rules.

OP posts:
Inkpaperstars · 15/06/2020 13:04

YANBU

Candyflosscookie · 15/06/2020 13:10

I'm baffled by the whole obsession of getting to Nike on day 1

I think it's the SM influence. Some people think they need to look amazing on Instagram every day. They will be desperate for new stuff to "impress" their followers. You can look out for #newthreads #newnike #fresh trending soon Hmm

GarlicSoup · 15/06/2020 13:11

Madness Shock

justasking111 · 15/06/2020 13:14

I am baffled by the Yeezy obsession but I am not a teenager Grin

slartibarti · 15/06/2020 13:16

There seemed to be mostly photographers jostling outside the Nike store, complete with tripods.

Devlesko · 15/06/2020 13:16

I'm not bothered tbh, just gets done quicker, Let them catch it, the more that get it the better for us not taking risks.

blackpeonies · 15/06/2020 13:16

Is it cos everyone's worn out their sports gear doing Joe Wicks?

Really bizarre cos you can get everything ONLINE or get a friend to buy it for you ONLINE ?!?

Saladmakesmesad · 15/06/2020 13:17

Not surprised by anything anymore after seeing the protests. Pray the virus is mutating and fading out as it certainly won’t be kept at bay by the people of the U.K.

AnxiousAlpaca · 15/06/2020 13:19

@squashyhat

Anyone who goes to Oxford Street on the first day of shop opening after 10 weeks of lockdown deserves everything they get.
What a disgusting attitude.
vanillandhoney · 15/06/2020 13:21

@blackpeonies

Is it cos everyone's worn out their sports gear doing Joe Wicks?

Really bizarre cos you can get everything ONLINE or get a friend to buy it for you ONLINE ?!?

It's not just about getting things, though, it's about starting to go back to normal again. Not everyone wants to spend their lives indoors shopping on Amazon.

I can get everything online, but I also want to go into our local independent shops and support them. And I like going out shopping sometimes. Even if I can't try things on, it's nice to browse shops and choose things in person.

But according to MN, wanting to do anything remotely "normal" is comparable to walking around and sneezing on old people.

Jaxhog · 15/06/2020 13:23

This is exactly what I thought would happen. Some people are just selfish idiots. Unfortunately, this will lead to more deaths and another lockdown. Mark my words.

memememoi · 15/06/2020 13:24

The ship sailed with crowds social distancing with the BLM mass gatherings.

I'm pretty sure that parks and beaches were packed out with little to no regard for social distancing long before any protests but anyway....

Tulipstulips · 15/06/2020 13:26

I can't vote, I'm on the fence. Shops do need the income but people need to socially distance. If the crowd was so pushy-shovey, would they have tamely go home if told the shop wasn't going to open, do you think? I suspect the security staff may have been afraid of riot and looting if they refused to let the masses get their opportunity to by a pair of Nike Airs at 70% off.

Geepee71 · 15/06/2020 13:27

I think people seem to be under the illusion there's gong to be massive sales and discounts - Because that's how the retailers will recoup their recent loses?

cardibach · 15/06/2020 13:28

@bubbleup

No they weren't
Apart from one or two on the news (wonder why those were picked) I’ve seen lots and lots on social media and in local papers online which very clearly were.
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 15/06/2020 13:29

Who needs a new pair of trainers that badly? Bonkers. I'd rather stay home than risk my life for some cheap tat.

ssd · 15/06/2020 13:32

I pity the staff. They didn't sign up for this.

pennylane83 · 15/06/2020 13:32

I saw the news all the women at primark were social distancing, whereas the NIKE shop was a queue of young men who were pushing in. Doh. Men do not like to queue do they

And with the stats already showing that men are disadvantaged in the covid battle. Ah well. More fool them.

justasking111 · 15/06/2020 13:34

If @squashyhat thinks we have only been on lockdown for 10 weeks, she really needs to go back to school Grin

CakeCakeCake21 · 15/06/2020 13:34

I have just got back from my local town centre, which is mostly pedestrianised. The council (or shopping centre landlord) has plastered some bits of it with signs, reminders, one way systems, which are all very confusing and too much to take in, and even the people who were trying to follow it were getting it wrong, or accusing others of getting it wrong when they actually were not. Not much social distancing was happening and the people in high vis jackets were just leaning on walls, chatting to each other and not intervening at all. Other bits have no signs or hi vis jackets and people were generally getting on much better there. Personally I am sticking to the quieter lanes which are mostly independent shops and avoiding the busier chain shop areas where possible.

vanillandhoney · 15/06/2020 13:34

@Geepee71

I think people seem to be under the illusion there's gong to be massive sales and discounts - Because that's how the retailers will recoup their recent loses?
Lots will have no choice but to go into sale.

They'll have next season's stock due in any day now and need to sell off current stock to make room. Most shops don't have huge warehouses available to store multiple seasons worth of clothes at once.

Most have also continued to have their usual sales online throughout lockdown. Retail sale calendars are planned months in advance and are the biggest events in store calendars. They bring in millions for some companies and are necessary to keep the shops going through the quieter months.

knittingaddict · 15/06/2020 13:35

I wish people wouldn't go on about the BLM protests on threads like this. This is about bloody shopping!

The video of George Floyd being murdered was so horrific and so unjustified that it lead to a huge wave of disgust and outrage. I don't think it was something that could wait and it had to be used now, not in a few months when it's a distant memory for some people. Personally I wouldn't go a protest now, but I find it hard to condemn those that did.

This is shopping for goodness sake. I've probably bought the same as I usually would on online. It's possible to do your bit for the economy without leaving home. Shopping is not in the same league as fighting racism and police brutality.

For what it's worth I don't care if you go shopping or not, just don't blame the idiots who can't social distance at the shops on the BLM marches.

NowImLivinInExeter · 15/06/2020 13:35

Plenty of non socially distanced shopping in Italy. No second wave.

I know people on here are practically creaming their pants at the thought of a more deadly second wave though.

justasking111 · 15/06/2020 13:37

With China, India, etc. being in lockdown, I am not sure that lots of stock will be available just yet. Many factories were shut down, production lost so things are going to be arriving a lot later than normal.

Flobbertybillop · 15/06/2020 13:38

@bubbleup

No they weren't
They absolutely weren’t. I got stuck in the car watching the demo go by, there was no social distancing whatsoever