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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think some people are taking the piss now? Or is this still a thing?

68 replies

jellyfishinatent · 16/04/2021 14:45

Joined a queue of about 6 people outside Tesco. Queued for maybe 3 minutes before I got to the front.

Whilst waiting for the light to go green, a woman approached from the other side of the doors and stood as if waiting to go in.

I looked at her (maybe looking slightly confused) and she murmered something about priority, NHS staff. I said 'pardon?' as couldn't quite hear and she said 'I get priority because I'm NHS staff'

I smiled politely and said 'me too' but gestured to the queue behind. She stayed where she was and snuck in behind me when I went in! There were only 5 or so people behind me so not long to wait and fast moving queue

Is this still a thing?! I know waitrose gave priority to NHS staff at all times during the first lockdown, and Sainsburys and Tesco had designated NHS times. However this is because the shops were chaos and there was no toilet roll/pasta/rice etc etc by the time some NHS staff finished long and traumatic shifts.

Not a free pass forever to push to the front of the queue!

OP posts:
GlmPmum · 16/04/2021 17:03

I used my "get into aldi fast pass" once in the last 12 months and that was jump the massive queue while on my lunch break picking up something for tea. I felt so cheeky doing this. I work for the NHS and my job is secure, I belive all the freebies etc would be better given to those effected financially by the pandemic.

slashlover · 16/04/2021 17:06

From the Tesco website

If you’re an NHS, emergency service or care worker, we’re giving you priority entry to our stores at any time. If there's a queue, please come to the front with your valid ID. Check store details for new priority hours for vulnerable and elderly customers

She was right whether you agree with it or not. www.tesco.com/help/in-store-faq/

radiateforme · 16/04/2021 17:12

🙄🙄🙄

TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN · 16/04/2021 17:13

I'm happy for them to still have priority. Most of them have worked jobs many of us would not have and hours that were long & in dreadful conditions. I'm certainly grateful fir them & discount/front of the queue is the least we can do IMO.

CornishGem1975 · 16/04/2021 17:15

Most of them haven't, some of them have.

Alsohuman · 16/04/2021 17:20

@CornishGem1975

I don't think NHS EVER needed to queue jump tbf.
They did when queues were ridiculously long but those days are long gone.
MadeOfStarStuff · 16/04/2021 17:39

@hettie

Surely if you’re nhs staff you should have known better than to go to work and the shop if someone in your household had covid Biscuit

azizam · 16/04/2021 18:05

I was at Dobbies over the weekend and some guy was trying to pull this pish!!! Yes Sir we all need our plants urgently, now back of the line!!!

Easter Hmm
hettie · 16/04/2021 18:12

@MadeOfStarStuff Long Covid unfortunately. He's went from marathon running to barely being able to shuffle round the block....Shit but not infectious obviously

Crayfishforyou · 16/04/2021 18:13

I really hope this isn’t true.
I’ve been ill with covid for a year, and my friend died.
I hope you didn’t put others through what I’ve had to experience.

Crayfishforyou · 16/04/2021 18:14

@hettie

I have literally done this once, when there was no food for dinner , my husband was floored with Covid, and I was coming back late from work....At the time I could have hugged the nice Waitrose man (I was soo tired). I would be raising a massive eyebrow to any of my colleagues pulling this now
From this
hettie · 16/04/2021 18:16

Wow....ermmm like I would have ever thought to go out the house when he/we might haven infectious.. Sorry for upping everyone's blood pressure Grin. Just assumed that was taken as read Blush

hopeishere · 16/04/2021 18:16

@TheThingsWeAdmitOnMN

I'm happy for them to still have priority. Most of them have worked jobs many of us would not have and hours that were long & in dreadful conditions. I'm certainly grateful fir them & discount/front of the queue is the least we can do IMO.
That is utter rubbish. Some NHS staff were frontline. Some most definitely were not. This deification of the NHS is an major issue. It's shit. Where I am you will wait YEARS to get a hip or knee op. Despite paying your taxes.
OverTheRainbow88 · 16/04/2021 18:18

@hettie

I read it as you meant it.
Hope your husbands on the up

hettie · 16/04/2021 18:19

@Crayfishforyou Not a chance in the early days we isolated for every cough and sniffle, fat lot of bloody good it did us. Sorry you too have been struck down too. It's truly shit, poor old DH has been stoic about it but it's been life changing and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Sorry I didn't make it clear. In my defense I am extremely tired...

Cheeserton · 16/04/2021 18:24

Yeah but, a nurse cried on the radio... That's enough to allow you to push in forever, surely?

Agree with most that even though they do great work, they're not in greater need than many others. And definitely not at this point withjno shortages and better organisation and capacity.

Spidey66 · 16/04/2021 18:24

CPN, NHS.

I rarely took legit NHS perks during lockdown 1. The only exceptions were using Tescos loos when I was on home visits administering depots, and having the occasional slice of free pizza delivered to my work at lunchtime.

There were loads of people working in the first lockdown. IMO I wasn't a&e, icu, or respiratory care, so no real increased risk. I found it s rad embarrassing when there were bus drivers for example dying of it and police, supermarket staff, prison officers all working just as hard.

Spidey66 · 16/04/2021 18:26

Prison officers, supermarket staff etc were only examples btw

miltonj · 16/04/2021 18:33

I had no idea there were still traffic light systems and queueing for supermarkets still going on let alone this kind of behaviour!

hettie · 16/04/2021 18:34

@OverTheRainbow88 I probably shouldn't post on Mumsnet when I'm so having tbh...bound to end in inarticulate communication. And thank you, I'm hoping so, but he is now a blue badge holder so it's not exactly looking like a quick exit Sad.

MadeOfStarStuff · 16/04/2021 18:38

@hettie

I’m sorry Blush Hope your husband has long since recovered now

MadeOfStarStuff · 16/04/2021 18:39

@hettie

Sorry again missed your last update, so sorry he’s still suffering. I’ll just make an exit now before I put my foot in it again!

hettie · 16/04/2021 18:47

MadeOfStarStuff...ahh your fine. I'm responsible for posting too quickly in the first place.

LemmysAceCard · 16/04/2021 18:53

[quote hettie]@OverTheRainbow88 I probably shouldn't post on Mumsnet when I'm so having tbh...bound to end in inarticulate communication. And thank you, I'm hoping so, but he is now a blue badge holder so it's not exactly looking like a quick exit Sad.[/quote]
Its really scary how debilitating long COVID is and how little is understood about it. Hope your husband has a speedy recovery

BluebellsGreenbells · 16/04/2021 19:04

not to furlough workers or unemployed people, nope those with a secure job!

Lots of NHS jobs available and training.

Everyone’s welcome to apply.