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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Women walking around the shop eating with her mask off.

195 replies

Whatsmyusername30 · 22/01/2021 15:21

I probably sound judgemental and don’t mean to be but aibu to think this is wrong given current times?

I generally get disgusted about people walking around the supermarket eating anyway. Does anyone actually do that?!

She had her mask right down walking around stuffing her face with everything. I assume she had bought these foods before she was walking around the shop from another shop or went in to get food and back in. It was all junk food too.

I’d like to think there was a valid reason for her doing this. Maybe she’s diabetic or something but she was stuffing her face as soon as he got into the shop and was walking around? (It’s a small shop and I kept seeing her) Surely she knew she needed food before she walked in and could have eaten in the car.

I even a couple of the staff were giving her looks of disgust as she was walking around. But no one looked brave enough to ask her to pull her mask up!

It’s just a mix of the mask down and stuffing her face. Really got under my skin. 🤣

Sorry if I sound judgmental. Maybe she had a good reason!

OP posts:
VinylDetective · 22/01/2021 17:58

You keep talking about “the car”, OP. How do you know she’s even got a car? Just mind your own business.

Neotraditional · 22/01/2021 18:03

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

So you hold the bag and eat the crisps with the same hand?? You don’t hold the bag with one hand and eat the crisps with the other? Are you some type of alien?

Can you not read @Neotraditional? The OP said she had her HANDS (plural) IN the packet of crisps. Is that how you eat crisps?

Yes, I have two hands as does that woman in the shop presumably. Either way, you knew exactly what she meant and tried to be witty but failed miserably. You were being obtuse
fairynick · 22/01/2021 18:04

I ate in a shop the other day. I was between trains on a journey for work (which I would’ve loved to have skipped, but my employer insisted and I’m not prepared to lose my job right now) and had ten mins from one train to another.
I needed to go to two shops, one selling sandwiches and one selling immodium.
I was hungry but also had the shits so I needed to do a smash and grab really fast. Didn’t have time to sit outside and eat my sandwich and thought not wearing a mask on the train would be more risky as id be in closer proximity to others for longer, whereas in a shop people come and go and the station constantly has doors opening and closing so is better ventilated. I scoffed the sarnie with my mask around my chin whilst dashing to get the immodium. Judge me all you like, I had to make a decision.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 22/01/2021 18:04

@Neotraditional

Oh and it was HANDS in PACKETS of crisps, so multiple hands, in multiple packets of crisps.
Also she was stuffing her face with EVERYTHING. What that means, who knows Hmm, and touching EVERYTHING in the shop. So OTT!

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 22/01/2021 18:07

Yes, I have two hands as does that woman in the shop presumably. Either way, you knew exactly what she meant and tried to be witty but failed miserably. You were being obtuse

Nope, just pointing out the langued used was used for dramatic effect. Most likely scenario, the wan ate one packet of crisps. Should she be eating in the shop...no, but the way OP describes the whole thing is ridiculous.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 22/01/2021 18:07

Woman, not wan

BoJoHoNo · 22/01/2021 18:12

I’m sure if this thread was about a child eating and touching everything the replies would be different. There's often a difference between your gut reaction to a situation and what realistically should be done about it though. I find children going around and pulling stock off the shelves annoying enough in non covid times, but I would only actually say something (politely) if they looked like they were going to damage an item. If I pulled up a customer everytime they did something annoying or disgusting I'd have very few customers left!

Likewise, there's a difference how I would expect my employees to respond in a given situation and what I may do as the business owner. I wouldn't expect a shop floor worker to challenge a member of public about not wearing a mask. I would prefer to have a polite word with them on the way out rather than confronting them in the middle of an aisle, is it possible this is what happened here?

Nowayhozay · 22/01/2021 18:12

I bloody hate people who wander around eating in shops at the best of times.
No excuse for it, just bad manners.
I hate people chewing gum as well.

rwalker · 22/01/2021 18:15

Covid or not if it was a genuine medical emergency why is she walking round.
Sounds like those people who when I worked in supermarket just used to rip open packets and eat stuff on the way round . With the promise off paying at checkout (like fuck). You would be amazed at the amount of people who do that it's grim cheeky and vile.

If it was medical she should ask staff, if she was diabetic or low blood sugar .They could of got her a chair and made sure she was alright .

TillyTopper · 22/01/2021 18:15

I was similarly shocked recently. My Dad was in hospital and was close to passing away so I was allowed to go in and see him. I was in full PPE, was very careful and spent some lovely time with him. But the only other visitor I was was someone who has zero PPE and was sitting on a table stuffing her face with crisps - just outside the CV19 ward. I was shocked (but said nothing because it's not my business).

Madmoxxi · 22/01/2021 18:19

Biscuit it's my first treat it as your own.

Neotraditional · 22/01/2021 18:24

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

Yes, I have two hands as does that woman in the shop presumably. Either way, you knew exactly what she meant and tried to be witty but failed miserably. You were being obtuse

Nope, just pointing out the langued used was used for dramatic effect. Most likely scenario, the wan ate one packet of crisps. Should she be eating in the shop...no, but the way OP describes the whole thing is ridiculous.

I’d love to believe she was exaggerating but I’ve seen myself what some people do in public and I have no trouble imagining someone eating numerous different things during a walk around a shop. There are those among us who have no manners or concern for anyone else.

I am genuinely saddened by the amount of posters telling the op to mind her own business or looking to excuse that woman’s behaviour. That’s why we are in this mess. Hygiene is so important right now - who knows whether she had the virus and has now spread it by touching her mouth then goods in the shop, which have then been picked up by some unsuspecting person.

I’m not a crazy Covid Marshall who thinks we should all be locked up but basic hygiene when out and ensuring you wear a mask is to everyones benefit surely?

DianaT1969 · 22/01/2021 18:25

You should have tackled her to the ground and sat on her til the police arrived.

FoxyTheFox · 22/01/2021 18:25

FFS, it’s against the law - unless you’re mask exempt (which she clearly wasn’t)

Clearly in which way? Because you can't tell by looking.

Neotraditional · 22/01/2021 18:29

@TillyTopper I’m really sorry you’ve gone through that. Can I ask though why you think saying something is wrong as it’s none of your business? I don’t mean we should confront people in an aggressive manner but surely it’s ok to politely ask that person to stop eating and put on their mask, especially in hospital? After all, we are all suffering the consequences of the rising cases and lockdown.

Lucieintheskye · 22/01/2021 18:35

OP we get that she shouldn't have her mask off unless there's a genuine reason. But from everything you've said about this woman, it sounds as though you're more disgusted at her and her lifestyle choices than her choice to not wear a mask. You're saying you don't mean to be mean but you sound like a fatphobic twat. Hmm

BakedTattie · 22/01/2021 18:37

That’s rank

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 22/01/2021 18:38

Funny old MN - one the one hand you have threads saying, How long can this go on, I can’t stand it, my MH is suffering - not to mention blaming everything on Boris -

  • and then flat out refusing to be judgemental about anyone blatantly flouting the rules. Always so many excuses for them - they can’t possibly just be stupid, inconsiderate arses who don’t give a fuck about anyone else.
jelly79 · 22/01/2021 18:44

@Whatsmyusername30 what was the unapproachable vibe OP - be really honest in what made you think this??

SquirtleSquad · 22/01/2021 18:47

@jelly79 don't be silly she won't answer that Grin

HermioneWeasley · 22/01/2021 18:50

@FoxyTheFox the OP said she had her mask down to eat, so she clearly wasn’t mask exempt

TornadoOfSouls · 22/01/2021 18:51

Clearly in which way? Because you can't tell by looking.

She had the mask on, but pulled down.

Eating in a shop shows pretty bad manners at the best of times. Right now, it’s selfish and cavalier in the extreme. I’m really surprised that people are defending it. Maybe the OP could have used milder language, but the scenario does sound disgusting to me. The fact that the woman entered the shop already eating makes it seem unlikely that there was a medical emergency.

FoxyTheFox · 22/01/2021 18:53

DS wears a mask when he can and then if/when he feels overwhelmed he pulls it down or puts it in his pocket.

Slub · 22/01/2021 18:59

Just checking my bingo card - was she obese as well OP?

ToffeePennie · 22/01/2021 18:59

I did it today - but I wasn’t “stuffing my face” and I wasn’t walking around without a mask on. I had my toddler in the trolly, he was occupied eating some chocolate. I have a fainting problem when my blood sugar dips; which it does without any warning. (Yes I am seeing the hospital about it) So I grabbed a handful of my sons chocolates, dropped my mask and ate them as quickly as possible to prevent my falling over. I did think that was the best course of action at the time and truthfully it wouldn’t hurt anyone around me, which my falling over and fainting could.

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