To feel uncomfortable in Harrod’s?

[Chocolattay]

I went in with my mum and baby recently on a day trip to London. I obviously knew I wouldn’t get very far with my measly £200 spends but I thought I could at least get earrings or something for baby.

Goodness me, I was very quickly humbled. I immediately felt insecure. Staff buzzing around me constantly and when I said “Oh I’m just looking around” they stared me down and walked off.

I just felt very unwelcome and inadequate the whole time. We did have a meal in one of the restaurants which was nice but I couldn’t get away quick enough afterwards. It didn’t help that we ended up getting lost for half an hour trying to find the exit, and the area with the escalators etc made me claustrophobic.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we got out. Then I went and spent my money in the nearby Zara instead.

All my friends say they love snooping around Harrods but I hated it. Anybody else?

@MurmuratingStarling

[quote sadpapercourtesan]@RewildingAmbridge people aren't calling you a cynic. They're calling you a prat

OP I think that's supposed to be part of the fun in Harrods. The staff definitely camp up the "that's very expensive, Modom" schtick. Just scratch your arse and belch.[/quote]
Eeee yer common as muck you! Off you pop to Primark!

I'm not keen on Harvey Nicks or Selfridges and Libertys seemed rather dated last time I went. Yes I know that's part of the charm but I wasn't wowed

Love f&m and Peter Jones yes it's a off shoot of JL but the cafe has got a great view and I have some great memories of that place as a kid

I used to work in Harrods wine cellar in the 1980s. We all spent the whole time pissed on expensive champagne so I highly recommend them as an employer, it was a great job.

Harrods never seemed that posh to me. You rarely see any actual rich looking people around. It’s mostly tourists there to buy souvenirs and maybe some overpriced jelly beans. I suppose they make their money from the occasional person who is there to spend big bucks. Agree that the staff can be snooty, but then, when I went to Zara in Chelsea I got the looking down the nose treatment too. Perhaps because I’m fat and unstylish and wasn’t in the right midi dress uniform.

Harrods is mainly used by the vulgar.

@Chocolattay

The half hour where me and my mum were lost was horrendous. I was so desperate to just see some sunlight

Sounds like me in IKEA, at least you can get a cheap coffee there. I've always liked Liberty best of the posh stores in London and Harvey Nicks far superior to Harrods.

I remember they used to sell puppies and kittens on the top floor back then.

You might enjoy the episode of Father Ted where the priests get trapped in the largest lingerie department in Ireland.

[quote Chocolattay]@7thHell

So glad to hear somebody else got lost in there! Though I’m sorry you went through that

My idea of hell would be eternally trying to find my way out of Harrods except the exit doesn’t exist. Being chased by staff.[/quote]
But why are you spending £200 on BABY EARRINGS?!

..kidding

@Chocolattay

Can’t believe the people on here who lack primary school reading comprehension, christ.

Earrings OR something for the baby. It’s not hard.

Ohh OP- welcome to Mumsnet.😁😅

Not been for a few years but first couple of times had a wander round the tourist bits and used the free toilets

I love the food hall and always found them great if buying work treats on my evenings in London or proper tourist "I love Harrod's' jam sets for my mum

Is everyone pissed tonight? @Bromse you dont get away with your snarky baby earrings comment by being even snarkier about grammar.

OP, I went to London again recently and decided to go to Harrods for the first time ever. I was a bit disappointed too. If anything I thought it would be posher. It just reminded me of my local House of Fraser. I also got very lost looking for the restaurant and then when we found it we decided we didnt want to remortgage our house for some grub that I know the kids would end up turning their noses up at. I LOVED the food hall/deli bit though! I could have spent a bloody fortune in there.

When I first visited London as a teenager I loved it and always bought some sort of souvenir there. I don't think I've been in at least 15 years now. I doubt the staff were snooty, I think you might be projecting - you told them you didn't want help so they left you alone, what reaction do you want? Plenty of people do want help so for staff on commission (which Harrods staff are) makes sense to move quickly on to those who do want assistance. But I get the clausraphobia thing in big shops I hate not seeing daylight.

@Flapjacker48

Harrods is mainly used by the vulgar.

Look, I'd had a vindaloo a few hours before, cut me some slack can't ya?

I've never been to Harrods, and I never will go.
I don't understand why ordinary people feel the draw to it.

It's fine for a coffee, a spritz of perfume and a ride on the escalators but the layout is confusing, I can never find the way out and it's the one shop where I find it difficult to spend money (last time I was there I bought a bag of crisps )

We used to go to the pet department every visit. Then the good hall. Then the Room of Luxury

The only good thing about Harrods is The Arrival of Father Christmas vintage car parade when they put snow machines on the top of the building & hand out free sweets.

It's a dreadful place.

I love walking around Harrods, the food hall is where I tend to go as I can afford a portugese custard tart! It’s fine to browse, do I feel out of place, yes but I still love walking around there. Gutted the pet department has moved to just a small section now and no pets but still like looking at the Gucci collars

I got my wedding dress in Harrods. It was a delightful experience from beginning to end

Bloody hell! It didn't take long for someone to start being nasty,did it?!

@RewildingAmbridge

Call me a cynic

She had £200 to spend for crying out loud! She wasn't talking about buying furs and diamonds.

I occasionally go in there for work reasons.

After I got over how intimidating a shop can be that sells three thousand pound foot muffs for prams, I thought the staff were perfectly nice.

They're all in commission. Of course they're going to come over, for all they know you're about to drop five grand on Burberry bikinis for babies 🤷🏻‍♀️