Will face masks make you more likely to shop and eat out?

[CamDram]

I understand the reasons for making face masks compulsory. But I’m not sure whether I’ll want to go out into the shops or restaurants and spend money on the high streets unless I really need something specific once everyone’s faces are covered.

Will compulsory face mask make you:

YES - MORE likely to go out shopping/ eating out on the high street

NO- LESS likely to go out shopping

W

Yes, I think they should be mandatory everywhere indoors bar private homes.

So many are so blasé re social distancing etc and they are a visual reminder of the pandemic.

theres bugger all in the shops worth buying (apart from food) anyway

I will continue to go to the supermarket, and I will try to do any other essential shopping in my local high street. But I'm not going to be browsing - I'll go in for something specific.

I used to browse round the bigger shops in town a lot, and often get something to eat or drink while I was there - really can't see myself bothering with that in future, just not worth the hassle.

The packed shops here in Dubai (where masks are mandatory and have been for ages) would indicate that people will get over themselves re mask pretty quick and just get on with it.

Far less likely to go out. My overriding feeling is that this is being introduced to make people feel more comfortable to go out. But I feel it will have the opposite effect. Going to a garden centre and café earlier I would say about 5% of the people there had masks on. Who knows whether they would be there with masks. I certainly won't be.

I just don't understand that. People found lockdown so hard but they'd willingly lock themselves down to avoid wearing a simple face covering'? Why do Brits have such an issue with this when the rest of the world just cracks on with it?

@TheAirbender you don’t really have to understand it though, everyone is different! Some people coped with lockdown, some didn’t, Some people don’t mind masks, some hate them! For me personally, I feel claustrophobic wearing a mask, I’m not going to wear it unless I have to. I wouldn’t enjoy pottering around the shops wearing one, so I’ll go to the supermarket get what I need and go home. Others might feel safer and shop more. We are all different

Well you as one individual I’d understand, sure - but the huge amount of whining about masks from the UK is hard to fathom when you’re living somewhere where they were quickly and easily part of everyday life.

More likely to go out. I would love a browse in a book shop again.

All the people in shops etc who aren’t wearing them strike me as very impolite. For a minority there is a medical reason to avoid masks but the vast majority?

I wear a mask to protect others on the off chance I have it. I expect others to extend the same courtesy to me. It’s the respectful thing to do.

To be fair, people were asked a specific question in the OP "will masks change your shopping habits?" I'm not sure it's fair to suggest people are whining if they say yes!

I really don't see it as people making a fuss, just acknowledging that they will change their habits in response. That seems fair enough?

I’m not whining. I’m just not going to non food shops, pubs or restaurants. I’ve managed without them since March, I can cope with another few months.

The umpteenth thread on here full of people complaining about masks. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Sunshinegirl82

To be fair, people were asked a specific question in the OP "will masks change your shopping habits?" I'm not sure it's fair to suggest people are whining if they say yes!

I really don't see it as people making a fuss, just acknowledging that they will change their habits in response. That seems fair enough?

You would think so, wouldn't you? Unfortunately it seems it's not enough that we comply (which I'm sure the vast majority will do) but we need to comply unquestioningly apparently.

Less likely. I had to wear a mask when visiting my mum in a care home and it immediately made me feel claustrophobic and my glasses steamed up. I was really surprised at my own reaction, as I wasn’t expecting it. I’ve been out shopping several times since lockdown eased and was enjoying getting back to some sense of normality. Looks like I’ll only be popping out for absolute necessities from now on if it means wearing a mask. No shopping as a leisure activity for me for the foreseeable future.

I have to wear one all day at work. They are really hot and uncomfortable when wearing for a prolonged period. I'ts always such a relief to take it off at the end of the day so I wont be in a hurry to wear them any more than I already have to

It won't be compulsory to wear a mask in a restaurant - it would make eating pretty difficult! Thank god, considering we're re-opening our restaurant next Friday.

It will make me less likely to go out shopping as I get very panicky when wearing one, I'm pretty sure it's something to do with the resistance feeling when breathing in (think it's linked to residual PTSD from having a whacking great PE that nearly saw me off) and I start getting very tight chested and palpitations. That isn't a reflection on how I feel about masks being made compulsory - happy to be "guided by the science" on that front, it's just my own issues.

How are you expected to go out for coffee/meal wearing a mask? I will do a weekly shop but that will be it unless I am ABSOLUTELY desperate for something. I am really appreciating this lockdown, worried about catching it so not going out much and saving a bloody fortune. I mean thousands since it started, which has shocked me - the amount of money we used to fritter away, will take a long time for us to get back to that habit - if ever tbh.
Also WFH I don't have to have 'work' clothes, so my manky t shirt and jeans will last me years.

I'd like to say "more likely" but it will depend a bit on how well it is enforced and also whether people still remember to do social distancing when they have their masks on.

I'm not a great shopper anyway but I will be avoiding anyone not wearing masks. I'll also be boycotting any shops that don't enforce them.

We have just done our first Tesco online shop since pre-lockdown. DH usually does it in person, but the mask thing has put us off.

Won't be shopping whilst masks are compulsory. It seems nonsensical to me masks are been made compulsory now when the politicians are saying we need to be out saving the economy. And of its so vital we wear maskd how come it's OK not to in restaurants.

Not just the Uk. France is about to go to mandatory masks for 1 August indoors and clearly not everyone is on board with it. Don’t pretend it’s Uk citizens being slow to adopt masks - applies in France too.

I've grown accustomed to keeping my money in my pocket and keeping safe into the bargain. Apart from the obviously awful illness and death toll I've had a lovely three months only buying what I need and not feeling socially bound to meet up for meals and drinks. A face mask will not make an iota of difference to my wanting or rather, not wanting to shop or go out again.

Didn't go shopping much before lockdown anyway but as I've been in full PPE at work for months now, I'm even less likely to go now if it means I have to spend even more time in a mask, I've had enough by the end of the week!

@zwellers

Won't be shopping whilst masks are compulsory. It seems nonsensical to me masks are been made compulsory now when the politicians are saying we need to be out saving the economy. And of its so vital we wear maskd how come it's OK not to in restaurants.

this. it does seem to be more related to the ecomony rather than peoples health. i hate shopping and crowds anyway so online has been my bestie for years now.