AIBU to object to an older child sitting directly in a food trolley?

[KidsDoBetter]

Local m&s food hall. An older lady (presumably) grandma - is wheeling around one of the small size metal shopping trolleys. Inside it is a girl about 8 cross-legged (she takes up most of the space obvs) wearing a pair of crocs. The soles of which are filthy (as indeed would be mine). Chatting away and delighted with herself. It was lovely she was enjoying being with her granny. No signs of disability (later saw them in car park).

As they stood beside me I did say “that looks like fun but you do know people put their food in there and you’ve got your shoes in it”. Grandma tutted and said “forget about it” in a slight non-sequitur . But it’s gross right. This was not a baby / toddler seat trolley. Nor was the child any younger than 7 max …

Gosh, what a busybody.

I'm never particularly worried about the hygiene side of things. Probably very different for an M&S trolley as they're indoors I think but most trolleys are outside and filthy anyway. As a student, I used to work in a supermarket overnight and the foxes and rats were always amongst the trolleys.

What does worry me is what happens when a trolley tips up with a child in it. I've seen it happen once and it was catastrophic. Supermarket floors are not forgiving and especially in the smaller trolleys, you're falling from a height.

I would assume all trolleys and baskets are dirty tbh
The handles probably have more bacteria on them than the bottom of a kids shoes!

I hope you addressed your comments to the granny who out her in the trolley and not to the child?

I understand - and don’t disagree necessarily. But would not appreciate you approaching my 8 year old child directly.

My 5 yo has autism and enjoys sitting in the body of the trolley, he doesn’t enjoy walking around and can’t fit in the toddler seat. Trolleys are gross regardless so just don’t put unpackaged food directly in there and you’ll be fine.

Trolleys are often left outside to the elements and the animals. No one has ever pretended they are clean.

Not even M&S sanitise their trolleys between customers Op.

I don’t trust that any trolley or basket is clean enough to eat food from directly.

That’s why the food is wrapped and the veg washed before I eat it, and if I can , I scan things directly into my own bags.

Definitely a get a grip situation OP. Trolleys live outside with car fumes, fox wee and seagull poop. One child and her crocs are not going to tip that scale too far. Take your trolley next time and stop judging.

Your food will have encountered a lot of dirt on its way to your trolley and it’s all wrapped or has a skin you are going to remove. I wouldn’t worry about it.

This happened in a supermarket near me when I was little. The child died.

I hate to see kids in trollies at the supermarket.

True. But probs not dog shit. or maybe I guess.

I am not germ phobic but I did think a whole large child plus shoes in a trolley seemed a bit daft. Surprised no one on the staff told her to get out even just on safety basis as a PP flagged. But hey.

Wow. That’s so incredibly tragic.

OP trolleys are dirty anyway let the kid be a kid and have a nice time with their grandparent

I don’t think I could get worked up about this. I wash my food before eating it if veg/fruit and everything else is packaged.

I always assume trolleys are absolutely filthy, and what’s already on them is probably worse than shoes. People putting bags etc in there that have likely been on the bus floor for example.

Honestly - I would have told you to fuck off.

Also, kind off grossed out - are you eating your fruit/veg unwashed? put bread in your trolley without packaging? lick your tuna cans?...

My local tesco have recently got disability trolleys for older children that still need a seat.

Before that though I would have put her in the main bit. Her disability isn't obvious but it's not safe to have her loose on the shop floor.

Trolleys have rats and everything climb all over them.

Keep your beak out in future.

As they stood beside me I did say “that looks like fun but you do know people put their food in there and you’ve got your shoes in it”.

Sure you did.
I have a very big and heavy 2 year old and often put him sitting in the main trolley became it’s very difficult to lift him over the bar and into the seat due to my height.
Walking around an entire supermarket with a young toddler is a hazard, other people aren’t watching where they are going, it’s hard to turn corners and not have DC bumped with a trolley, it takes up more space in the aisles and makes it take 5 times longer which leaves more room for DC getting tired, bored and frustrated.

It’s nothing like shoes on a table, trolleys are kept outside with rats, other vermin, bird poo, piss etc. It’s simply not rational for someone to think it’s unhygienic for a child to sit on it, so I’m not going to pander so someone’s irrational feelings.

I hate kid's bums in the part of the trolley where I put food, and on tables in cafes.

Absolutely inappropriate.

I couldn’t be bothered to get worked up about this tbh

The safety aspect, sure. But hygiene- you’re being ridiculous. Most food items are packaged. Anything else you can wash. The trolleys themselves are gross whether there’s a child in them or not!

What a stupid comment OP. Mind your own business.

I must say I don't like to see children in trolleys.
I think they are a safety hazard. Dangerous for the child in the trolley and dangerous for other customers because invariably having the child in the trolley affects the ability of the person pushing the trolley to steer it in a safe manner and distracts them.
As far as I'm aware supermarkets ars supposed to have a policy of not allowing children in a trolley, apart from sitting in the child seat, but they seem to generally turn a blind eye.

There are such bigger things to worry about in life. I can’t believe you actually said this to them. I too, would have tutted and eye rolled then carried on with my day.

Wow mind your own business. As if you said that! I'm sure the trolley handle is a lot more dirty!