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?

I have lovely memories of shopping in Harrods when my friend used to work there and used her discount to get bargain prices for me. She used to tell me about all the famous people she’d spotted that day or spoken to.

My dad used to use the loos in Fortnum & Mason each time he went up to London to buy new workwear. The doormen clearly knew what he was heading in for, but didn’t flinch. Tbf he does spend a fortune each Christmas on hampers to save him thinking of actual presents - not that the doormen would know that.

Haven’t been to Harrods (or F&M) for years, but it sounds rubbish now. I’d stick with Xara next time.

Harrod's have long been trying to stop being a tourist attraction in favour of having rich people spend their money there

(as an aside, does the word "spends" enrage anyone else?)

Some stuff isn't overpriced for what it is, they just don't stick cheap things. Food hall used to be good for samples.

As for the staff, my old room mate from university works there, was a trust fund socialite type, parents lost their money, she married a banker, he ran off with ow and she lives in a one bed flat and works in harrods. Apparently quite a lot of staff once had money but no more according the the person whose still in touch with her

@Flapjacker48

Harrods is mainly used by the vulgar.

Yep.

It's so tedious when people go on about how they hate posh shops.

Harrod's is awful- Liberty definitely much better.
I've found the staff in Harrod's hit and miss. Some are snobbish, some are lovely and keep their heads among the money flashing clientele.

@Brefugee

Harrod's have long been trying to stop being a tourist attraction in favour of having rich people spend their money there

(as an aside, does the word "spends" enrage anyone else?)

Not as much as ‘spendy’. Awful.

You need to up your game my lovely. Bloomingdales, Macys, Madison Avenue
Macys is shit, it's like Primark.
All the best big shops have closed in NYC. Very sad to see no more Barneys or FAO Schwarz

You need to up your game my lovely. Bloomingdales, Macys, Madison Avenue. Fuck Harrods! oh no, Henri Bendel surely?
The Diana memorial used to have a book for messages, I may have written something I thought was funny (rude) in it.
We had our wedding list at Harrod's. 30 years ago this September

@limitedperiodonly

It's so tedious when people go on about how they hate posh shops.

I don’t hate posh shops.

I hate Harrods. It might well be super super super expensive. This does not make it posh.

I used to find it fascinating but now I find it quite vulgar. I saw a man buy his 4 year old daughter a £3000 handbag. I’ll probably be accused of being jealous but I really wasn’t. I’d hate to be that person. I live a comfortable life with an above average income, lots of travel (except for covid) and even if I had millions I wouldn’t buy a £3k handbag for me so definitely wouldn’t for a small child. I actually felt nauseous. Guess I’m not meant for that world but feel grateful for that.

@FindingMeno

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

Me and my mate used to take our DC on on the way back from the museums to show than the nadir of capitalism.

My friend regularly goes and is London born so defo not a tourist. She looks ordinary but says she’s always treated very well. Think some people are projecting their own insecurities to be honest.

Just searched the aforementioned Princess Di statue ... gutted I missed the real thing, I feel the photos may not have done it justice

You're right, they don't - it was an absolute HORROR!!

Next time why not try Fortnums, OP; now that really is nice (and you can find your way out easily )

@LondonWolf

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 go to Harrods weekly. I often pass it when out and about and nip in for a sandwich or a bottle of water. I'm not rich, I am usually wearing muddy dog walking clothes or scruffy running gear. I've never once been treated snottily or "stared down". I'm surprised to hear of these negative experiences of the staff - I have never known them be anything but smiley and helpful. They pride themselves on their customer service, even to the plebs

Yep, I used to work opposite and instead of traipsing round hundreds of different shops I knew i could go to any of them in the same price and it as if you had travelled everywhere around London.

Food hall a bit overpriced for sure but absolutely delicious.

I was not rich by any means and lived in Hackney.

I think you're just not used to London OP. And with a baby too... It's just a huge department store with a now tacky reputation, but I find it fine.

rachelohrachel was just thinking the same. Liberty definitely

I did like Bloomingdale’s in New York. It felt nice and welcoming. I preferred it to Macy’s. In London, Liberty’s is also nice. Not sure quite what it is about Harrods - probably the showy off nature of it?

Go to liberty, they are always nice in there.

I think all those shops - Harrods, Fortnums, Liberty etc are just tourist shops now aren't they? horribly busy too.

@Thewiseoneincognito there’s lots in Harrods for under £200

*any of them in the same location at the same price

Don't know why anyone would go to Harrods when there are Fortnums, Selfridges or even the big John Lewis tbh, on offer in central London. Vile place.

It sounds like you were feeling self conscious and a bit intimidated by the place. You shouldn’t. It’s just a shop