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

How do we eat out on a face mask ?

You don't need them to eat out, but it would be considerate to wear one when going inside to the loo in a restaurant. Eating outside seems to be much more popular in my area anyway.

@Feellikedancingyeah

How do we eat out on a face mask ?

🤦‍♀️

They’re not mandatory in restaurants, although while you’re waiting for your food it would be thoughtful to wear one.

one concern I do have is how people wear masks and then forego social distancing and other basic hygiene rules

People are capable of washing their hands AND wearing a mask. Crazy idea, I know.

Not really bothered either way with masks but not interested in shopping in physical shops now as the only point of them is to be able to touch things and try stuff on or compare it with something else and since you can’t do that it is better and easier to shop online plus there is more choice and if you need to return something it is generally easier than having to traipse back to the shop

@WhentheDealGoesDown - I’m with you on that one without being able to touch , sniff things , try lipsticks etc I see no advantage over online shopping with at least theoretically less risk

Until I find a solution to the steamed up glasses, less likely as I need to be able to see. So far tried, fairy liquid, soap, wired nose piece, tissue down mask cotton mask, disposable mask, self tie mask, mask made of swim suit material, scarf, glasses over top of mask,the list goes on. So until I can source a Labrador and white stick I won’t be going anywhere. The annoying thing is I have had Covid.

I fall into shielded group, so I have only been out for medical appointments so far, I wear a mask for them of course, but
I can’t wait to take it off when I get back to the car. The way I shop now is all online. The thought of browsing in shops wearing a mask, is not a pleasant one to be honest. If I was to go shopping, I would know exactly what I was going to buy and only go to the shops I needed too.

Until I find a solution to the steamed up glasses, less likely as I need to be able to see

Lifeisgenerallyfun If your glasses are steaming up, you’re wearing them wrong.

@heartsonacake how am I wearing my glasses wrong?

[quote Lifeisgenerallyfun]@heartsonacake how am I wearing my glasses wrong?[/quote]
You’re not. Apologies, I can see how it looks like I said that; I meant that if your glasses are steaming up, you’re wearing the masks wrong.

Since online shopping supermarket delivery slots became freely available in our area about 2 months ago we've done almost all our food shopping through that and ive only done a couple of quick pop ins to our local small supermarket for essentials and same for DH. We will continue as we are but I will be making an extra effort to be extra organised with the online shopping to avoid having to attend shops in person so we don't need to wear face coverings. DH already has to wear one all day at work and hates it. We don't really go leisure shopping much anyway as we have a toddler but we certainly won't be now and will be almost exclusively online shopping. We've been to Clarks once to get DD's feet measured and get her new shoes but that's it and no plans to go into any other shops anytime soon. Lots of the people I know also feel they won't be resuming their fairly frequent leisure shopping trips and will be using online shopping much more for food and everything else. This is going to have a devestating effect on the high street unfortunately.

I live in the U.S. My state has had mandatory masks in all stores since March. Everyone wears them. I have greatly curtailed my shopping, but that's simply to reduce risk (I have comorbidities), not due to the mask. I simply don't understand the massive resistance to wearing them in the U.K. and in many of the U.S. states. (Well actually, it's been politicized in the U.S., like everything else these days). I know that there are a small number of people who have genuine reasons, but most people seem to be acting like toddlers. "Don't wanna and you can't make me". By the way, my state now has one of the lowest COVID rates in the country. If I lived in a state where few wear masks, THAT is what would really hold me back from going out to shop.

Having been out to our town centre for the first time since lockdown, the only thing that will make more more likely to go back is if the shops actually open and put stock on the shelves. We've just been going to supermarkets who seem to have managed very well other than those first two weeks of panic buying. I hadn't realised other shops were so pathetic.

Around half the shops were closed, including chain stores that havn't closed down. Those that were open were more like clearance sales with lots of empty shelves, and just stocks of random things no one wants. Went into Clarks for some shoes - basically had nothing in my size of the type I wanted - but the assistant helpfully pointed out that they were all available online! Same in M&S - they've clearly taken a load of racks out and what they did have were the usual weird colours or very large/very small sizes - again, assistant suggested I go online.

Do the shops actually want to stay in business? I suspect some of the chains have given up on the High Street and have decided that online is the future.

And yes, I realise factories will have been closed etc etc., but how do some stores manage to stay stocked when others don't?

We went to Wilkinsons to stock up on stationery, storage boxes etc for DS to go to Uni in September. Virtually the entire stationery section was empty. On the way home, we stopped off at Home Bargains and their stationery section was fully stocked.

Rather than face masks being the factor, I think people will stay away from shops until they get their act together in terms of stock on shelves etc.

I will only go to buy essentials (food). I won't go in to any other shops

DP and I had to wear masks two weeks ago when DD had an injection at a surgery and after ten minutes of being there I was getting very hot and flustered. Not looking forward to going food shopping which can take up to an hour. Might just do small ten minute shops instead and GTF out

I simply don't understand the massive resistance to wearing them in the U.K.

A significant minority in the UK are against any kind of personal hygiene/cleanliness and take it as a personal insult when someone suggests doing something pretty normal.

Before lockdown, we had regular posts on Mnet (and other SM) about people who wouldn't wash their hands after going the loo, people who wouldn't take shoes off in other people's houses, etc etc.

It does seem to be a strange characteristic of some people in the UK who seem to have no respect for others and quite frankly don't give a toss about cleanliness and personal hygiene.

But then again, some people are weird in other ways too. I.e. take offence if you don't want to shake hands or hug.

I am in the South of France right now, it is very hot, and the huge majority of people wear masks when indoors, crowded areas, and public transportation. Maybe French, Italian or Spanish people have some kind of incredible mutation that allow them to bear this terrible burden without having tantrums. I don't know, it is a mystery for the ages.
Shopkeepers even stop people from entering if they do not wear one. In restaurant, you take off your mask when seated, and the waiters have one at all time. Everybody gets that, it is not difficult, but maybe they received lengthy training or brainwashing if you want during the lock-down months, when they saw scores upon scores of people die. People go out, they enjoy life, just in a more mindful way. It requires a little efforts, not a full overhaul of our lifestyle.

But in the end, if this can lead to a reduction of the stupid and wasteful consumerism of buying outsourced crap for the sake of buying that has been plaguing rich societies, maybe this is not all a loss.

Less - they are so hot and uncomfortable I will be going to the shops as little as possible once they are mandatory.

It’s not about hygiene, it’s about being forced to do something. If people understand the reason for being asked to do something they readily comply. Compliance with lockdown exceeded the government’s wildest dreams. The evidence isn’t there for masks so there isn’t blind compliance. It’s not even enshrined in law.

Taking shoes off indoors is is no way comparable to infection control. It’s cultural and the reason it’s contentious is because it was never part of British culture until a decade or so ago. When I was young you’d have been considered bonkers if you’d asked people to do it.

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Maybe French, Italian or Spanish people have some kind of incredible mutation that allow them to bear this terrible burden without having tantrums. I don't know, it is a mystery for the ages.

No, the mystery of the ages is why so many people are lacking in basic reading comprehension skills.

The thread isn't about whether masks are a good idea or a bad idea. Or whether they're comfortable or uncomfortable. Or whether you like wearing them or don't like wearing them.

It's very clearly stated in the thread title - will wearing masks make you less likely to go to the shops. Not hard to understand, is it?

Lots of people have said that yes, compulsory masks will make them eat out less and go shopping less. Hardly anyone has said they won't wear them. People accept them as a necessary evil, or even if they think masks are pointless will go along with it to avoid the fine.

I wore one for the first time on Saturday to go shopping.
I hated it for the first 30 minutes it felt hot and horrible. Then I got used to it and it was absolutely fine.

I’m asthmatic and it didn’t cause me any issues. In fact I think when the weather turns cold that wearing a mask would be beneficial for asthma. In cold weather I often pull a buff over my mouth as it warms the air you breath. (Cold dry air is a trigger for me).

I had a leisurely look round the shops and maintained social distancing and enjoyed it. (First time to the shops in months) It was a bit weird seeing others wear masks. Rates are not too bad where I am and there were lots of people wearing them. Maybe a correlation?

Taking shoes off indoors is is no way comparable to infection control. It’s cultural and the reason it’s contentious is because it was never part of British culture until a decade or so ago.

Depends on your "culture" I suppose. It was pretty normal 30 years ago in my experience. I remember going to friends/relatives houses and taking off shoes automatically. I started my own business 20 years ago which involved visiting people in their own homes and would say that half the houses I visited were "shoes off" households.

If people understand the reason for being asked to do something they readily comply.

From my observation at football matches, shopping centres, etc people weren't washing their hands at the end of February and early March. How could they not understand that there was a pandemic?

I just don't accept this kind of excuse. For some reason, a significant minority of the UK are just arrogant and won't listen or comply.

I went to the shops today. It was a shit experience. I have no desire to repeat it whilst wearing a mask as well.

As for other countries, there is no real evidence that they are doing it without complaint. They wear them because they have to, just as the case will be in the UK.

From my observation at football matches, shopping centres, etc people weren't washing their hands at the end of February and early March. How could they not understand that there was a pandemic?

Yet statistically there was almost 100% compliance with lockdown because people understood there was a pandemic.