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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not like the atmosphere in Aldi?

211 replies

Beansandvodka · 26/09/2022 12:20

Can’t quite put my finger on it but there is something I find a-bit off putting. I went the other day and I really wanted to like it but there was a chaotic atmosphere and the people were so loud. I’m aware I don’t have to shop there but wondering if anyone else has encountered this?

OP posts:
ThreeRingCircus · 26/09/2022 14:03

I think it's so variable and store dependent. Our local Aldi is lovely but the Lidl is awful. I've seen people on this thread say their local ones are the other way round.

I actually find Waitrose horrendous to shop in. Rude, obnoxious old people barging around with their trolleys and it's ridiculously busy in our local one. I'd rather go to Aldi, genuinely.

MindYourBeeswax · 26/09/2022 14:03

I can't stand Boots, particularly the Harrogate one but they're mostly shite where ever they are.
Low lighting, stuff could be anywhere, rubbish signs that you don't see until you're standing in front of them and long, long queues.

LucyInTheSkyWithDiamond · 26/09/2022 14:07

I quite like Boots, but when my dd was a baby, she used to scream every time we went in there. Think it was the lights or something maybe, or the smell. Don't know. Whatever it was she hated it in there

Greenginghamdress · 26/09/2022 14:07

YANBU. I hate it. I can't put my finger on why but I haven't been in years. I went in when DD was very little and she screamed the place down and I didn't know why that was either!

I avoid it now. I love Lidl though.

Shitfather · 26/09/2022 14:09

There is definitely something to be said for atmosphere (for example, I love the huge Tesco in a Kensington - the trolleys don’t require you to insert a quid, it’s clean and calm compared to the one in Brent), BUT I know exactly what I want from Aldi - I’m in and out within a few mins.

MindYourBeeswax · 26/09/2022 14:10

@LucyInTheSkyWithDiamond I'm with your DD!

SinisterBumFacedCat · 26/09/2022 14:11

I quite like the holiday supermarket vibe you get in there, products that are the same but not quite. First time I went to Aldi was in the middle of a heatwave and I felt like I just wandered in from the beach.

KateF · 26/09/2022 14:13

I go for cheap food not 'atmosphere' 🙄 but mine is no different from any other supermarket.

urgen · 26/09/2022 14:17

We have an Aldi and I go once a month for the dupe Jo Malone diffusers. Yes, its definitely got a cheap vibe. I know old people dont go in because they are rushed through.

The food and some of the products are pretty much rubbish. If their products were that good there would be no M&S or Waitrose.

georgarina · 26/09/2022 14:18

There's a small one near me and it's fine. Full of students usually.

The Lidl is more depressing. It feels like a post-apocalyptic warehouse. The meat looks like it's come from sad animals.

And Waitrose stresses me out.

All the others are fine.

NH87 · 26/09/2022 14:18

No you’re totally right. Just as Covid was evolving there was this rude and let’s say rather large woman pondering for ages over bags and bags of chicken. Myself and 3 other ladies were standing patiently behind her, rolling our eyes as we just waited. Eventually she picked her bag and walked off, I opened the freezer as it was my turn, only to be pushed by her as she didn’t want the bag she had for some reason. Rather than apologise for tripping me over her response was “you’re suppose to be 2 metres away from me” well I just saw Red and my response was “well if you weren’t so fat and didn’t stuff your face with a load of chicken I would be, now move!” Her partner was smirking and so did the other customers! I’m not normally rude or nasty like that and don’t often speak to ppl on that level but her arrogance just triggered me. Aldi does seem to attract rude and very pushy people that don’t have any patience or any understanding that others are in there too and haven’t got all day to just mope about! Lol hope that made you giggle :-)

CaptainMyCaptain · 26/09/2022 14:20

oakleaffy · 26/09/2022 13:31

IV drug users in Waitrose?! Whatever next! Drug use has no class barriers, but likely that street people come in to inject.

Show quote history

Just commenting on the atmosphere as that was the point of the thread.

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 26/09/2022 14:20

Our local Aldi’s are great, I have no problem in there but:

  1. never go on a Sunday morning - mayhem!
  2. I always wear headphones when grocery shopping, I love being in my own little world as I tootle round.

Our local Sainsbury’s gives me the major heebie jeebies, I don’t know why. It is always freezing in there and it seems to be aisles and aisles of ready meals!

Daisychainsx · 26/09/2022 14:25

I love aldi, but I used to get this feeling about a spar in an old shopping centre where I used to live. I couldn't go inside, other spars were fine but this one shop just made me feel physically sick whenever I went in. It was just a bit lifeless or depressing or something. I was only young at the time, like 10-13, and I used to sit outside while my parents went in because I hated it that much.
No idea what it was but I can relate to what you're saying 🤣

tkwal · 26/09/2022 14:26

The last supermarket I was in which felt disorganised, chaotic and "shouty" was an M&S food Hall. It was so busy you'd have thought they were giving the stuff away. My daughter loves one of their cheeses so I was only buying one item , thankfully

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 26/09/2022 14:26

I absolutely hate Lidl and Aldi. Remind me of some Eastern Bloc supermarket circa 1984

Notlosinganyweight · 26/09/2022 14:32

I prefer it in Aldi. Get your stuff, pay, then go. I'm not shopping for a wedding dress, just want to get it all done.

There is a large new store I use now and it is quite a nice experience shopping there. Much more space than other supermarkets. I also use Asda and Sainsburys and don't really see any difference. Hated Waitrose. The shoppers there seem oblivious to other shoppers and are quite rude. Hate Tesco because of the bonkers pricing and co-op because the food us utter shit but at Waitrose prices. Never any room in the stores too.

HumunaHey · 26/09/2022 14:33

angelsinstead · 26/09/2022 12:32

clearly a dog whistle for ‘let’s all discuss how trampy lower class aldi customers are’

Not really. I think it depends on each individual Aldi though.

Mine also feels cramped and chaotic and the lighting is dull and makes me just feel a little 'meh'. I'm a regular shopper at Asda/Lidl, so I'm far from middle/upper class. There's just something about my local Aldi that is just depressing.

tiger2691 · 26/09/2022 14:34

Lidl is much worse, everyone is treated with a high amount of suspicion, well, I am.

U1sce · 26/09/2022 14:39

NH87 · 26/09/2022 14:18

No you’re totally right. Just as Covid was evolving there was this rude and let’s say rather large woman pondering for ages over bags and bags of chicken. Myself and 3 other ladies were standing patiently behind her, rolling our eyes as we just waited. Eventually she picked her bag and walked off, I opened the freezer as it was my turn, only to be pushed by her as she didn’t want the bag she had for some reason. Rather than apologise for tripping me over her response was “you’re suppose to be 2 metres away from me” well I just saw Red and my response was “well if you weren’t so fat and didn’t stuff your face with a load of chicken I would be, now move!” Her partner was smirking and so did the other customers! I’m not normally rude or nasty like that and don’t often speak to ppl on that level but her arrogance just triggered me. Aldi does seem to attract rude and very pushy people that don’t have any patience or any understanding that others are in there too and haven’t got all day to just mope about! Lol hope that made you giggle :-)

And you're proud of yourself for a massive display of fatphobia as a reaction to her rudeness? Pot, kettle and black comes to mind

Cheeselog · 26/09/2022 14:41

I voted YANBU because although I like Aldi different supermarkets definitely have different vibes. I hate Tesco, I won’t shop in there because I find it really depressing but don’t get that anywhere else!

NH87 · 26/09/2022 14:42

Yes I am very proud :) Enjoy the rest of your day X x x

Mrsjayy · 26/09/2022 14:46

LucyInTheSkyWithDiamond · 26/09/2022 14:07

I quite like Boots, but when my dd was a baby, she used to scream every time we went in there. Think it was the lights or something maybe, or the smell. Don't know. Whatever it was she hated it in there

One of mine used to scream blue murder in Morrisons she hated it .

Crikeyalmighty · 26/09/2022 14:47

Nicest Aldi I've been in is on the edge of Windsor at Oakley Green. Huge big purpose built modern one with big car park- I'm not an Aldi fan but this one was much better than any other I've been in

Surtsey · 26/09/2022 14:47

I'd much rather get in, get the shopping done, and get out again. Which is why I prefer Aldi & Lidl, both of which I frequent fairly regularly. Due to my work arrangements, I can go at 'quiet' times though.

It is a chore, I'm not looking for a pleasant customer experience.

Waitrose on the other hand... ye Gods. People with all the time in the world to decide which one of a dozen bags of carrots they are going to choose. Meanwhile they get in your way something chronic, with their endless standing and gazing at all the ridiculously expensive delightful produce. And when you get to the till, well. The staff are lovely, but have clearly been trained to allow their customers to not only pass the time of day, but to spend a considerable chunk of it talking to them. I don't want to stand there waiting while you talk about your grandchildren or your doctor's appointment, or the bunch of flowers you're buying. Just pay and go.