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Original poster

Shopping alone during lock down

296 replies

AnxiousSM · 16/01/2021 16:59

This applies to the current lockdown not in general.
Why can’t people shop alone? The only exception to this would be a parent with a child they don’t have childcare for. Zero excuse for family outings to the supermarket. If you have to be driven then can’t partner stay in the car?
All this bollocks about being unable to shop alone, there’s no reasonable excuse.

OP posts:
Rosebel · 16/01/2021 20:22

I work in a supermarket so yes I'm very well aware of the risks. I can't lift heavy items anymore and he can't use my discount card.
We only go late in the evening when there are very few people around. Not on Saturday morning when all the families are there.

Athers666 · 16/01/2021 20:29

Just been to my local Tesco this evening and they had a young lad on the door enforcing the shop alone rule. At least two blokes were kicking off because they weren't allowed to go round the supermarket with their wives. The poor young man looked like he wanted to cry, he had no idea how to handle it and clearly hadn't had any decent training. Felt so sorry for him and it made me so angry that so many people can't just abide by the rules and shut up. Retail staff deserve medals having to deal with this every day!

LegoAndLolDolls · 16/01/2021 20:37

[quote AnxiousSM]@TopSecretSquirrel perhaps I should have said there are some reasonable exceptions, such as your example. But for people not needing support due to medical conditions, and parents unable to get childcare, there are no valid reasons.[/quote]
So in your mind SEND or learning difficulties arent a valid reason? Vulnerable adults and the disabled should buck up their act as they neither children or ill?

Life isnt black and white. It's all shades of gray. What about someone who has mental health issues like PTSD and has panic attacks and feels they need their teen / young adult child with them? Do you they also need to hide away from life dispite not being medically unwell?

I'm none of these things btw. I'm a boring normal adult who shops alone and leaves her young and disabled kids with their teen sibling to go shopping. But I dont look around in a constant froth holding strangers to a imagined account.

Plussizejumpsuit · 16/01/2021 20:38

I can't believe how much thought people give this kind of stuff. Do you honestly think the few people who don't shop alone now supermarkets are asking again are really where covid is spreading?

EcoCustard · 16/01/2021 20:39

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants yeah I posted about not shopping alone not the parenting capabilities of my partner. You asked about the latter which is none of your business. 😉

RedRiverHog · 16/01/2021 20:41

It's about individual risk assessment isn't it. You think a quick 20 min trip in the supermarket with your family is ok as you will be quick....or you are bored...or it is your right to get out the house. 20 mins, no problem.

But you and your family make up thousands of people coming into the store every day. Every day. To someone putting out stock or doing reductions having just one person at a time passing them is easier to deal with than a couple/family walking side by side. Over and over again. Most of them treating staff like they don't exist.

How many people could say they would feel comfortable seeing 100's of people each day now?

The rules are getting stricter because people don't seem to care. Of course there are exceptions. And that's fine. But if you can shop alone, please do.

theydon22 · 16/01/2021 20:42

And yet there's a million threads on here saying how compliant everyone is and how this is all the governments fault.

Moulesvinrouge1 · 16/01/2021 20:44

@sbhydrogen

Honestly, it's just annoying. I have things I want to buy, DH has items he wants to buy. I could write a list and give it to him, but I don't necessarily know what I want until I get there.
You are being really very selfish. Just wait outside!!!
AlohaMolly · 16/01/2021 20:44

@Thenosleepclub now you’ve said it, I’ve had dirty looks this lockdown from people walking past the playground while my son and I are in it. For the love of god he’s an only child and four years old, the least I can do is let the poor bastard play on the slides and hope a school friend shows up. He finished school on 16th December, didn’t see anyone until the first Monday of January when I took him to the supermarket.

Matilda1981 · 16/01/2021 20:47

They make trolleys you can either put a car seat on or lie a baby in? I’ve had 4 babies and none of the have ever been to going to go in a trolley!!!

HerMammy · 16/01/2021 20:49
  • NoIDontWatchLoveIsland Because (I'm willing to be flamed) I think its fucked up that DD (16m) should be confined to the house for a week straight because it's been pissing rain and she's outgrown her waterproof and the new one ordered online has been delayed in the post*

This has got to be a joke??
Your DD can’t leave the house without a waterproof therefore has to go to the shop with you?
oh ffs get a grip 🙄

vodkaredbullgirl · 16/01/2021 20:50

I went to Asda with my eldest earlier. I went in 1st went back to the car then she went and did her shopping.

HexWitch · 16/01/2021 20:53

No, @WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants it is NOBODIES business in irl or on MN.

withlotsoflove · 16/01/2021 20:57

@dingledongle

I sometimes shop alone and sometimes take one of my teenage children because we have enough restrictions and this is one step too far for me.

I appreciate this is a pandemic and unprecedented times but I want my children to get out with some semblance of MH left

Sad

Seriously? God you’re selfish! Angry
withlotsoflove · 16/01/2021 21:00

I’m usually customer services / l covered the door last night and was greeted with:
“ We can go round together as we are in the same bubble!”
WTF
These people live amongst us. Totally missing the point and causing more shit for us! ( colleagues)

boymum9 · 16/01/2021 21:02

I am in the group of single parent and not childcare (no family close, young children) so have to take them with me. But I wouldn't judge anyone for shopping with another person, you don't know peoples reasons!! It wouldn't even cross my mind to judge them for it.

withlotsoflove · 16/01/2021 21:10

@boymum9

I am in the group of single parent and not childcare (no family close, young children) so have to take them with me. But I wouldn't judge anyone for shopping with another person, you don't know peoples reasons!! It wouldn't even cross my mind to judge them for it.
It’s isn’t even about “ judging “ anymore. It’s been proven that the more people continue to shop with more than one person, the more dangerous it is for retail staff. Every time you add another person in - you increase the risk. There are very, very few reasons why more than one has to shop. This thread has just illustrated the ridiculous and selfish bullshit that we are sick of listening to! It ain’t a day out anymore. Don’t you think if it was really ok, the supermarkets wouldn’t bother with all this? They like as many people in as possible. They know it increases the risk. All shoppers should do their best to help keep retail staff safe. We are unbelievably vulnerable.
ImBoredAgain · 16/01/2021 21:13

Because we both want to choose our own food separately as well as what we want for meals together and don’t care what others think?

ImBoredAgain · 16/01/2021 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Clymene · 16/01/2021 21:30

I wonder how many of the people who clapped for carers give a shiny shit about retail staff? No one cares about them do they?

It's absolutely shocking how selfish people are.

EmilyInParis · 16/01/2021 21:31

@boymum9

I am in the group of single parent and not childcare (no family close, young children) so have to take them with me. But I wouldn't judge anyone for shopping with another person, you don't know peoples reasons!! It wouldn't even cross my mind to judge them for it.

You're right. I don't judge them, and I don't even think to wonder why there are more of them than there should perhaps be. In fact, I doubt I even notice them.
But..when people proclaim they do it on purpose and don't give a shit, then I judge.

Fizbosshoes · 16/01/2021 21:36

I went to the pet shop the other day.i think I was the only person shopping alone.
I saw a family I know- mum, dad, 2 of their DC (who are tween so could have bee0n left with older siblings or in the car) and dog.

SleepingStandingUp · 16/01/2021 21:55

@ImBoredAgain

Because we both want to choose our own food separately as well as what we want for meals together and don’t care what others think?
Well the last bit is certainly the most honest bit isn't it, don't care what others think, don't care what increased risk we may create, don't care as long as you can do whatever you want because no one is the boss of you
ilovesooty · 16/01/2021 22:01

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

People will always find excuses why they can't so its pointless. Yet someone else in exactly the same position will manage . Would rather people were honest and just said because I want to .
I think that sums it up really. People are doing things because they want to in a lot of cases. They don't much care whether it's the best thing to do in terms of reducing transmission.
SleepingStandingUp · 16/01/2021 22:04

Maybe people just want to get out the house and have some sort of contact if you're shopping with your DH and two teenage kids who exactly are you having contact with that you don't see every single day?? Why can't you go for a walk somewhere?