To think that Xmas food shopping isn't a sodding family day out?

[loveawineloveacrisp]

Just been to M&S for final food shop and the bloody place was over run with entire families shopping together. Just why? If the kids are old enough to be left then they shouldn't be traipsing around and getting in the way when the place is crowded as it is at this time of year.

And as for people who can't drive the right way round a one way car park: kindly fuck off and don't drive if you can't follow road signs.

That's all. Now can someone please pass the 🍷

I love seeing families in supermarkets. Fond memories (and yes, we were quite considerate and useful children).

There are always people who are less spatially aware, less socially aware, less sensible than others but that's not family groups more than anyone else in my experience.

If you really don't want to run into family groups, you have so many options these days. Order online, click and collect, avoid busy times.

It's good for children to be in spaces where they learn to behave sensibly around other people. If they are blocking your way you can say "excuse me", as you would to anyone else.

Depends what time you go, I think! I don't mind the bustle tbh, it's just one of those things we sort of accept. I remember loving it as a kid and it just became a Christmas tradition - busy and a bit hectic!

Totally agree with you on both counts OP.

And will add my own rant - will shoppers put the trolleys back where they belong! And large ones with large ones and small ones with small ones. It is not hard.

I don't know how many times I have to say that I did do an online shop for my main one. But I wanted treats from m&s which added up to less than £30 and wouldn't qualify for an online shop.

Standing around like obelisks getting in the way! 🤣🤣🤣

Maybe they were on their way home from a family outing? What would you suggest they do, leave the kids in the car? No doubt somebody would report them for that too! Maybe consider yourself fortunate that you are able to go shopping alone? There are many single parents who don't have that luxury. Some of us are spending Christmas alone so just be grateful & a bit more tolerant OP. Where is your Christmas spirit?

My DH goes to supermarkets way more than I do. I can't be arsed. I do the main shopping online and he will pop in for anything else on his way home from work. We haven't done a supermarket shop together in years. We split it between us to avoid taking our children when they came along.

They're adults now and all perfectly competent to shop in a supermarket. I did have to take them sometimes but as seldom as I could.

DC3 even works PT in one!!

Why does the OP have to have Christmas spirit when other people leave their brain cells at home and clearly don't display any?

In Morrisons yesterday, a family of 4 blocked the aisle by standing in a huddle around their trolley which was parked sideways. Nobody could walk past or around them and no amount of 'excuse me' from other shoppers budged them either.

So I accidentally on purpose went to reach for a shelf right above their heads & then they moved. Some people are selfish and have no self awareness.

So all your bellyaching about people being in your way is for a handful of additional picky items?

One of us would have sat in the car while the other ran in and out.

Stuff the Christmas spirit - it's stressful shopping when it's so busy!!

Are we back to 2020 and what constitutes "need" when shopping?

Totally agree. Always and at all times. One adult shops only. No kids. No spare adult. If this is their fun family time then god help them.
I hate tripping up over, mostly husbands, but the occasional useless wife that is standing clueless blocking aisles and getting in the way. The kids are actually less annoying although there’s always one that cries the whole way round.

Yeah they invariably stop en masse to have a debate over what fucking trifle to get and are totally oblivious of blocking everyone else!

Apparently so, as people are trying to police WHO goes shopping.

No, but if you can't summon enough grit to fill a basket full of shopping without flouncing, then time your shopping better.

Can you food shop online at M&S anyway??

I don't go at all if I can help it. I needed a couple of bits in town yesterday so I went in after 4pm. Shops mostly closed at 5.

I liked it I suppose as a child but my childhood is a distant memory!

If only!!!

My parents are retired and they don’t shop together for food shopping 95% of the time.

I agree that there is no need for two parents, four kids, a grandparent to shop.

When supermarkets including my ex employer said to shop alone if you can, we got loads of excuses of why couples had to shop together “He carries the money” “I have a bad back and husband carries a basket” - the latter, use a trolley.

Actually if people shopped alone or smaller groups, they would save money by not giving into pestering DC wanting this, that and they other!

I work in a shop - not a food/essentials shop more luxuries/gifts. It has been super busy since mid November and I agree with you OP. We sell nothing of interest for children /teens/dogs. But whole families come in , sometimes all standing in the queue together for one person to make a purchase, dithering about said purchase once theyve reached the register. Small children using the accessibility ramps to scooter or run up and down squealing. And then theres the dogs that won't stop barking! It makes a busy and quite stressfull time of year even more (unnecessarily) chaotic!

Okay, will add the supermarket to the list of places I've learned on MUMsnet that children aren't welcome.

We like to go together to pick things out. I think it’s just a given that shopping may be nuts at this time of year.

When I was home in the UK the other day, we went into the nearest city and it was definitely very busy. I can absolutely see how it could be stressful, don't get me wrong. The queues are my main gripe! It's nice seeing the DC excited about the food and other bits though. I can remember the excitement myself so my nostalgic self gets more excited on their behalf haha!

There nothing wrong with kids in supermarkets. If you don’t want to have to deal with the public in public then shop online or click and collect.
if you don’t want to do what because you can to have a look in person then you can hardly moan about others.