To be annoyed at people shopping in families/couples?

[Nicknamegoeshere]

So I went to the supermarket to do my weekly shop today. Left the baby and my OH at home as I understand the current rules re Covid to be shop alone where possible.

Now I totally respect that in certain circumstances there has to be exceptions to this rule e.g. for lone parents, shopping with a vulnerable person etc.

However, there were a huge number of large families (with both parents) shopping today, lots and lots of couples (young/middle-aged) etc.

Why are so many people blatantly ignoring the guidance?

Gosh there’s some nosey people around who can’t help themselves poking their beaks into others peoples business.

Mind your own business you nasty, small minded people.

People have done this long before covid. Single parents I understand. What I don't get are the households who feel that the weekly shop has to be some kind of family day out with both parents and multiple kids in tow, blocking the aisles whilst debating what crisps to get. And of course always a chance the kids are unruly, fighting each other, running around, screaming, pushing the trolley into other shoppers.

Why doesn't just one parent go. It's quicker, doesn't inconvenience other shoppers and the kids are probably sat at home playing or on their tablets etc anyway

YANBU. There is no reason why two adults and 3 kids have to go to the supermarket together. They are either stupid and don’t understand, or selfish and don’t care.

Why do people care do much though, if people want to shop together and the shops own policy doesn't suggest you don't (asda, Lidl and Morrison's haven't said not to) then it's fine. Now if only asda would encourage mask wearing starting with their staff, at least 1/3 had noses out!

@movingonup20

Why do people care do much though, if people want to shop together and the shops own policy doesn't suggest you don't (asda, Lidl and Morrison's haven't said not to) then it's fine. Now if only asda would encourage mask wearing starting with their staff, at least 1/3 had noses out!

Lack of other stuff to do?

Clearly some people couldn't care less about getting Covid. If I'm honest, I couldn't care less about them getting Covid either if they're that laissez - faire about it.

It seems that it's become acceptable for people to be down right nasty under the guise of "because they're not following the rules".

You're really not sounding a nice person OP.

YANBU. The families shopping together are probably the crazy ones who’ve always done it. They should take this opportunity to change. It was my worst nightmare to take my kids shopping with me. The way I see it- I buy the food, I cook it, serve it, they eat it. End of. The families , I’ve always found intensely annoying. Moving slower than a snails pace, browsing everything on the shelves, and invariably saying to the kids ‘ what do you want?’ If I’m shopping for food I’ll be cooking, with meals in mind, no one else’s input is needed, especially not the kids. I’ve always wondered why people put themselves through this, when they can go into the supermarket, get what they want, and get out, without dragging the kids along and making an epic out of it. Honestly, I’ve always been bewildered why someone would choose this way of buying food

YANBU although tbh it's not 'guidance' it's individual shops' rules. I suppose more actual shoppers can be in the shop at the same time, so I get that.
For what it's worth this situation is unavoidable for lone parents, I agree, but why it's necessary for mum, dad, nan and several kids to go for a family day out together in Tesco I can't comprehend. Besides my local Tesco Extra has cordoned off non-food, so would be a totally boring experience for children (no toys, etc).

I usually shop with my young ward as I need help carrying pet food as well as our groceries. We don't have or need a car.

YANBU. I can understand the need of some people to shop with another person, but families all together in a supermarket is just taking the Micky.I was slowly walking behind a family of five in B and M bargains. The children lagged behind and picked up everything on the shelves, taking a look and then putting the items back, and I think they all walked past the hand sanitiser at the entrance. You are supposed to shop, and not browse. It infuriates me that some people are just plain stupid or wilfully pushing against the boundaries.

My two children both have to come shopping with me. I homeschool and that’s the only way

@Ineke

YANBU. I can understand the need of some people to shop with another person, but families all together in a supermarket is just taking the Micky.I was slowly walking behind a family of five in B and M bargains. The children lagged behind and picked up everything on the shelves, taking a look and then putting the items back, and I think they all walked past the hand sanitiser at the entrance. You are supposed to shop, and not browse. It infuriates me that some people are just plain stupid or wilfully pushing against the boundaries.

Is B&M a supermarket?

But it seems like you mean people who browse. We’re in and out. Had to go today. I was there for a total of 11 mins. I go in. Know exactly what I need. Where to go and we go. Kids don’t touch anything. Other that what we carry.

@PizzaForOne

People have done this long before covid. Single parents I understand. What I don't get are the households who feel that the weekly shop has to be some kind of family day out with both parents and multiple kids in tow, blocking the aisles whilst debating what crisps to get. And of course always a chance the kids are unruly, fighting each other, running around, screaming, pushing the trolley into other shoppers.

Why doesn't just one parent go. It's quicker, doesn't inconvenience other shoppers and the kids are probably sat at home playing or on their tablets etc anyway

Gosh! this is better than my post. Totally agree, such a pain and frankly I feel sorry for the shop staff as well as the other customers. It's not the childrens' fault really, they just get bored and would rather play or run around the shop.

My husband goes shopping with me because at 20 weeks pregnant I’m still suffering with sickness and dizzy spells. If I leave the shop, he can carry on with the shopping. If I’m really unwell, he goes alone. We have worked all through the pandemic so I am not going to feel guilty about him coming shopping with me.

Yes you are being unreasonable. Mind your own bloody business

If there was a queue I would go in by myself but I haven't seen a queue at the supermarket in months. He guess I more do it because if I were to go shopping on my own or rather when I did it took my whole evening away from being with DS and I feel like I don't see him as much as I'd like to so for now we go together. We don't have money for fuel for unnecessary journeys so weekends are limited to what we can walk to and where we are that's not much.

@linerforlife

The quicker people learn to mind their own business, and only focus on whether THEY are sticking to the rules, the better 👍

That is why society is so fractured, we don't work together for what is best for all. Just look at elections and people not voting for the good of the country which ultimately affects you individually as much as you don't want to think it does. So stupid and entitled, oh and very short sighted too.

I have a 12 week old ebf and a 19 month old and so if DH wants to eat in the week he needs to come with me to the supervisor as I don’t feel comfortable taking DC to supermarket alone yet. I used to get deliverys but COVID has made it impossible to get delivery and so we have to go to the supermarket

@Bellfit

What’s Ebf got to do with super market shopping?

@Nicknamegoeshere I haven't seen a queue outside a supermarket for months, so it's not like the family or couple shoppers are holding anyone up.

So the supermarket have a "safe" capacity, let's say it's 500.

Could you explain why the risk of 250 couples shopping together is a greater risk than 500 single people?

You don't care if the 250 couples get COVID, but you would if the 500 singles do.

How is the risk increased?

@Bellfit have you tired Morrison's, deliveries here are so easy.

OverTheRainbow88 Just a guess but possibly because, and this is unusual I know, the poster would like their baby to eat when hungry. Shopping can take ages now with queues and I wouldn't risk leaving a baby to be hungry either.

@Clucket87

My husband goes shopping with me because at 20 weeks pregnant I’m still suffering with sickness and dizzy spells. If I leave the shop, he can carry on with the shopping. If I’m really unwell, he goes alone. We have worked all through the pandemic so I am not going to feel guilty about him coming shopping with me.

Why can't your husband go on his own? Or why don't you sit in the car?

@Clucket87

My husband goes shopping with me because at 20 weeks pregnant I’m still suffering with sickness and dizzy spells. If I leave the shop, he can carry on with the shopping. If I’m really unwell, he goes alone. We have worked all through the pandemic so I am not going to feel guilty about him coming shopping with me.

Why do you do at all though? He can go alone.