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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at people shopping in families/couples?

875 replies

Nicknamegoeshere · 08/11/2020 16:37

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 09/11/2020 19:20

@Bellfit I have an EBF 5 month-old. I leave her with daddy of a weekend while I do the shopping for the week. My other two kids stay at home with him too. Or if OH goes I stay at home with the kids. That's what we used to do when she was tiny and establishing feeding.

OP posts:
Smallsteps88 · 09/11/2020 19:21

@Bellfit

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
Would it not make more sense for your DH to do the shopping while you stay at home?
Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 09/11/2020 19:21

I avoided supermarkets full stop in my third trimester. And the doctors and hospitals!

OP posts:
Stressingismyhobby · 09/11/2020 19:21

All the PPs saying "it's guidance, not law" - does something have to be made illegal before you won't do it?? I'm so fed up with people trying to find loopholes and ways around following the guidance. Yes, it's a massive pain in the arse for everyone but the longer people don't follow it, the longer we're going to be restricted. Grow up.

chaosmaker · 09/11/2020 19:26

@Comefromaway

You’d probably hate the fact that my teenage dd went to 8 different shops and supermarkets this week buying unnecessary items as she was carrying out age compliance checks.
You can go out to work so that's off topic really
smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 09/11/2020 19:28

I agree with you, however i badly twisted my ankle last week and although it was better today and i could weight bare and walk normally it still hurt to drive, i needed to go to tesco so DP drove me (kids all at school) and he came in with me because i was worried about hurting it again, he couldnt have gone for me as my reason for being there wasnt just shopping (opticians) so we queued together then he went off to start the shop whilst i went to the opticians then i met up with him to finish the shopping and pay at the till, the amount of people tutting at us was ridiculous!

Normally we have online deliveries but i decided not to use a slot this week as i was going to tesco anyway.

iwishiwasonhol · 09/11/2020 19:31

to be honest im single with teenagers who wouldnt want to come to the shops with me anyway ,but if i had a partner and younger children and was stuck at home with them day in day out i would want to go shopping on my own for some peace, i would probably sit in the car for a further 2 hours and then once home go omg sorry ive been so long it was sooooo busy

wanderings · 09/11/2020 19:39

Some people really need to get out more.

And if you’re going to add roolz to the ones impozed by Saint Boriz, this zhould have been posted in the Coronavirus topic, quarantined where Groundhog Day self-righteous threadz like this belong.

SpaceAngel1999 · 09/11/2020 19:39

Couldn’t think of anything worse than shopping with my kids and husband!

Oblomov20 · 09/11/2020 19:39

I agree with op. I have shopped and seen loads of families, mum dad 2 kids. I just don't get it. Everyone clearly knows that Boris was implying that if one person could go shopping on their own then they should do if they can. If you're a single mum fine, or need help from a partner because you have needs then fine.

But we all know most of the families we, op, me etc are seeing don't fit this!

Merryweather80 · 09/11/2020 19:43

Its because they are ’invincible’ idiots. Clearly, they don't understand that the more they go out the more likely they are to catch the virus and spread it. They don't give a stuff. Cos it just guidance init so I don't -wont do it.

Pinkrinse · 09/11/2020 19:45

Where in the guideline does it say not to go to the shops on your own? That was the case in the first lockdown, but the new guidelines say you can go out with people in your household or support bubble.

Shewhomustbeobeyed1 · 09/11/2020 19:49

Rules round Covid-19 are unclear. Guidance is non-existent. The whole place is a sad mess. So glad I no longer live in the UK.

Pekeygirl75 · 09/11/2020 19:51

This is why we are in another lockdown - because people aren’t taking it seriously.

iwishiwasonhol · 09/11/2020 19:53

well when i was on my checkout today there was a guy right behind my chair( i got the cheap checkout that doesnt have a screen behind it because of a post) as they were stood in the wrong place ,so i turned round got off my chair went hi im iwishiwasonhol not seen you before must be your first shift there you go you have my chair never seen somone move so fast into the right place

FatimaMunchy · 09/11/2020 19:54

'Ehy can't he go alone?' Sometimes he does, if I give him a detailed list. However sometimes I don't know in advance what I want, and as I can't see to read labels I take DH so he can tell me.
There can be dozens of reasons why people need someone with them.

PeachyPeachTrees · 09/11/2020 20:01

I was in my big Supermarket today, it is mandatory to wear a face covering unless can't. There's another sign next to it asking to come alone where possible, I feels like guidance so a lot don't do it.

In the kids clothing section, there was a woman without a mask and she was putting the hangers in her mouth so she could go through the clothes with 2 hands. I lost count how many hangers went in and out of her mouth. Surprised my glare didn't burn a hole through her head!

Feministicon · 09/11/2020 20:05

@Pekeygirl75

This is why we are in another lockdown - because people aren’t taking it seriously.
Nope we are not in another lockdown because people went to the supermarket in pairs 🤦🏼‍♀️
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 09/11/2020 20:06

There are queues here. Because, you know, we aren’t all in the same place

I agree

There are certain posters on here berating others for not obeying the shops ‘one person only’ rules when thats not in place at the supermarket we visit, complaining about people adding to the crowds when our supermarket is virtually empty at the time we go, and complaining about people adding to the queue and stopping others from being able to get in when there are no queues here

For what its worth I completely agree that if the supermarket has that rule, or if there are queues or if its a busy time there that absolutely people should shop alone when they can

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 09/11/2020 20:07

Oh i should say that i abso-bloody-lutely wouldn’t take a child unless i had to

Thank god those days are gone

looopy2411 · 09/11/2020 20:07

Hi,
Sometimes I take my 17 month old shopping with me if we desperately need essentials but that is only if me or my hubby can't go in the evening. He always sits in the trolley or pushchair and I always avoid the busy isles if I can. I haven't taken him/won't take him in the new lockdown but will once/if the rules relax again for a change of scenery and to see people more than anything. Plus if wearing masks and social distancing is going to be the new normal for a while yet I want him to get used to it.
I dont agree with whole families going together but appreciate everyone's situation is different.

MandieMandie · 09/11/2020 20:10

Im fed up with some people treating shopping like a family day out.
I totally understand some people need to take children and others need support.
I work for a major Chain and its bloody scary when you are surrounded by Customers in a pandemic. Alot of people are oblivious to social distancing and carry on as normal.
You definately dont need the whole family , Mum, Dad and all the kids in tow.

nicky7654 · 09/11/2020 20:12

I shop with my other half and don't see a reason not to. I don't agree with this second stupid lockdown anyway. I'd rather people simply wear a mask and carry on as normal.

raluky · 09/11/2020 20:17

@Hopdathelf

Why does a couple need to go shopping together? It’s clingy, controlling and weird,

What a sad view to take. It’s perfectly normal for one person to help their partner or to run errands together. As you say, there’s no law against it.

Oh wow what a twisted point of view you have. I assume you aren't in a couple or family. Sad Tbh! That's the whole point of sharing your life with someone. Do things together. It's not clingy🤣🤣
ThornAmongstRoses · 09/11/2020 20:23

I really like going shopping with my husband - it’s just a nice thing to do together. We take the children and they get to pick their treats and help put things in the trolley - they love it.

I doubt (hopefully) that I’m not the only person who likes doing these little things as a family.

There was a time, when it all started, that I would have been horrified at the thought of my children being in a supermarket, I would never let me husband take them with him if he needed to pop in for something - but it’s just different now. So much of society is running as normal so that that element of risk and fear just isn’t ingrained in me anymore.

I guess the only thing that would be frustrating is that if the shop is only allowed a certain number of people in then it means others would have to wait longer in the queue.