This pandemic has made people so rude!

[Geneva1994]

First time since the start of the pandemic I have forgotten a mask anywhere, as I always have 1 in my car, bag or pocket. Today I went to b&q for opening so the shop was empty, realised I didn’t have a mask in my car as I thought so I poked my head round the door and apologised to the lady but asked if they had a disposable mask I could have (or pay for!) as id stupidly forgot mine, only to get an earful and be told I’m the reason covid is still spreading she then started slagging me off to a colleague as I walked off and I heard her say “surprised she didn’t try and say she is exempt”.

AIBU to think some people are going crazy? How are they going to cope when restrictions are completely lifted

You really would think that after a year of wearing these bloody things people would have got their heads around that fact that if you can wear a mask - whatever your medical condition - you are not exempt.

Those who are exempt on medical grounds - the genuine ones - are exempt because wearing a mask causes them great difficulties, challenges or distress. The criterion for exemption is not that you would have to drop dead on the spot, were you to be forced to wear a mask.

In the same way, plenty of people have blue badges because their disabilities and other conditions make it a massive struggle (if it is indeed possible) to use standard parking spaces; but the hatred and abuse some people receive when making use of this provision that has been made with their needs in mind - especially if their disability isn't immediately obvious and/or they are young and 'don't look disabled' - leads many to struggle and forego using it, choosing an even further-restricted life and/or pain and struggles over abuse and threats from nasty idiots.

You might want to check your privilege (and I say that as somebody who isn't exempt and does wear a mask whenever required).

I understand how tough it is for retail staff but they are customer service workers and should act accordingly. When she was giving you a mouthful I would have asked for her name as I need it for my complaint!

I guess answers on this thread are validating your point OP, the pandemic did make some people rude.
I’m lucky that the few times I forgot a mask people were helpful, either by letting me know where I could buy one nearby or encouraging me to use something else as face covering (detachable kids jacket’s hood).
I also realized once after pick up at school that I accidentallu forgot to put on the mask I had in my pocket but nothing did say a thing.

This thread is mental! Anti maskers and anti vaxers infuriate me! I could rant all day!

OP is not either. She forgot! I walked out of a takeaway without paying today. I've been paying for things for a lot more years than I've been wearing a mask and I still forgot. I was mortified and exceptionally apologetic. People make mistakes!

When I was a student I worked in a high street bank. People were awful, drunk, angry, rude. I've been groped under the table, sworn at, told that they were paying my wages and I should do what they say (just after bank bail outs). I was 20 and managed to never EVER take out my frustrations out on them. I even managed to be polite to the horrible ones.

Everyone has had a rough year. Some people worse than others. But noone knows what anyone else is dealing with and being civil to other humans is a basic responsibility.

The girl in the shop was a knob. OP was being entirely reasonable. The grumps on this thread have a serious chip on their shoulder and should go and have a cold shower.

What a rude person - YANBU to ask if they have masks you could buy/have!

I am another 'exempt but'... sorry for those who like to think its as simple as 'if you can wear one sometimes you are not exempt'.

I've been told by my GP and the nurses who treat me currently weekly, that I am exempt.

I have heart failure, sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it isn't. If its hard, I don't wear a mask (and try not to go out!). If I am ok, I'll wear a mask and try to get what I need done and then get out of wherever quickly.

I have on occasion had to remove my mask whilst indoors somewhere as my ability to breath has changed and I can't get out quick enough!

I could swan around without a mask anywhere I like, and just tell everyone I am exempt, because I am - but I feel thats irresponsible and that I should wear a mask when I can, for as long as I can.

I am sorry if that pisses you off!

it has gone mad op i agree , i work in retail ,in an essential store thats been open all the way through and im happy to say i never have and never will be like this to a customer , iv served people without masks not wearing a lanyard , iv had people like yourself having forgotten it so i provide one of our disposibles , i really really dont give a flying crap about whos got a mask and who hasnt , i would never reprimand or have a go at a customer who wasnt wearing one , i work in a store and im there to serve customers and take money ,not fucking police them , iv had the snapping as well when i went in costa a few weeks back when i made the cardinal sin of standing on the wrong blasted footprints only to get barked at

iv worked in retail for years and if staff just stuck to what they are there to do which is serve customers and take money instead or ordering them about and quizzing them about masks then these staff that are getting all stressed are bringing it on themselves , and those madams that spoke to you like shit need reporting

@freeez

Can you imagine having worked in retail throughout the pandemic, having to deal with customers daily who are difficult and rude about wearing masks. I expect they've had more than enough and who can blame them.

I can blame them as they were being rude to someone who was not rude to them. It is never acceptable to take out your frustration or irritation on someone who just happens to be there but has done nothing wrong . Whilst it may be human and understandable it still isn't acceptable. The op asked to buy a mask, she did not go into the store without a mask and wait to be challenged before saying she had forgotten it . She noticed she had forgotten her mask and asked to buy one before doing her shopping . In what universe it is ok to be rude in that instance, just because some other people who have nothing to do with the OP have taken the piss?

I'm exempt so I wear a lanyard to show it. I can manage if I'm popping into a garage for a couple of minutes but I get incredibly breathless and wheezy in the supermarket if I try wearing a mask.

No one has given me a dirty look, let alone challenged me. I don't think anyone hearing my horrible -and far from dry cough would doubt that I'm genuinely exempt.

I am so paranoid about forgetting a mask! I have a hook by the front door for my keys, and always keep a mask hanging there so I remember. But I did forget a few times accidentally early on, and found that people are very strict about it - often they're not allowed to make any exceptions.

It depends on where you are and the exact rules but I found people accommodating when it looks like you're making an effort - putting a scarf or even your collar over your nose and mouth while you sort a mask. (Easier in cold weather, of course!) I also think places where there are rules about wearing masks indoors but not outdoors make it more likely to forget/be caught without - when the rule is wear a mask as soon as you step off your own private property, it’s more likely you’ll remember in time to go back.

I’m in a big city (not in the UK) and if you walk down a busy street here many little shopfronts and hole-in-the-wall takeout places and kiosks and carts have masks for sale, prominently displayed. I was in the main tourist area of the city a few weeks ago, and saw one of the balloon vendors - who normally just have a whole bouquet of those helium-filled mylar balloons shaped like a rainbow or football or Peppa Pig - and even HE had a sleeve of fabric masks for sale. So I am guessing people DO go out without them, and need to buy one in a hurry, even now.

Regardless, the salesperson absolutely shouldn't have been rude to or about you.

How awful, especially when you were actually asking for a mask. YANBU.

@Topseyt

She was very rude. Yes, I would complain.

The sooner we are allowed to ditch masks and all the utter bollocks that goes with them the better. They are ineffectual and divisive.

Exactly, especially the two or three layers of thin cotton masquerading as a mask. As someone said cionsider how far a fart gets out of your jeans which are much thicker!

Some shops have put packs of masks at the entrance either for you to buy, as you leave, or for free. It's a great idea and something B&Q could do easily.
If you complain about your treatment make this suggestion.

@TO12T39FRQ

How are people even forgetting masks at this stage....a year in

Easily, I go to as few places as possible that need one. I walked into the office today without mine. Luckily I found one in the bottom of my bag as I struggle to wear the disposable ones.

I really hope I never get used to wearing a mask.

Some people are so whiny and self righteous! OP made a mistake, easily done, asked a perfectly polite and reasonable question. Shop worker definitely in the wrong as was unnecessarily rude. End of.

Christ that's rude. My partners forgotten his sometimes and just been given one for free, although he ends up buying a pack of disposable ones too.

Your only exempt if you cannot wear a mask how is this discussion still going on. YANBU op they were rude.

You're

In contrast, when I forgot my mask popping into Tesco, I spoke to the door/security guy and ask if I could buy a pack (kicking myself as I really don't need any more), but instead I found that they kept a pack in the foyer to hand out to people.

A small but kind gesture.

I have seen this from both aspects to be fair. I think everyone is weary and stressed. Walking into a shop behind a woman the other day the assistant at the door was incredibly polite and just asked if she had a mask at all. She genuinely was very sweet and nice . The woman barked exempt loudly and with a nasty tone at her then promptly scoffed really nastily at her. The assistant backed away and apologised but it was very clearly something she was told to do in the role. There was no need to be so nasty to her.

In a shop a few weeks ago I was unimpressed the other side when two staff were being nasty about a woman without a mask. Clearly they thought it wouldn't matter in front of me as I was wearing one. They had no idea whether she was exempt and again they hadn't politely asked her or anything reasonable. They just sat being nasty and gossipy.

If you are a dick, a pandemic isn't going to change that. Plus people are tired and stressed so any underlying tendency to lose your temper is going to come out.

I suspect like a lot of internet stories about bad customer service, this is a little bit exaggerated... but in either case you were probably the 100th person this week to go in without a mask and say you'd forgotten. I don't blame them for losing patience.

i suspect like a lot of internet stories about bad customer service, this is a little bit exaggerated...

Haha I can promise you it isn’t exaggerated! If I was going to exaggerate I could of really gone to town...

Make a complaint and how dare she? My friend is exempt and had a lot of abuse of a staff member🙄 turns out manager gave her a voucher and a letter of apology and said they are giving their staff more training. Don’t worry you didn’t do anything wrong but don’t let it and make a complain.