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 …

I don’t let my own children sit in them but I wouldn’t comment on someone else doing it.

We all need to call out bad behaviour whenever possible.

Well done, OP.

No. I wouldn't do it. But I do think it's busybody behaviour to chastise people for actions that have no effect on your own life.

I also hate to see children riding in trolleys, makes me cringe. Not from a hygiene point of view which most people on here are commenting on, but from a safety point. I work in a supermarket. Accidents happen, the floor is hard, shelf edges are quite sharp. As far as I know, no child has died where I work, but trolleys do tip over and injuries do occur. And I know someone will come along and say they pushed all six of their 99th percentile kids in the trolley and never had an accident, but it does happen.

Came here to say this.

My 16 month old won't stay in the seat. I mostly get my food delivered, but when I need to go to the supermarket, I have to put him in the trolley with snacks otherwise it's impossible.

I'd be more annoyed at the crocs. Horrible, ugly, gormless looking monstrosities.

I turned around to pick up two things of milk once and when I turned back around my 1.5 year old was standing on the seat. Almost had a heart attack. Way, way more dangerous than the much smaller risk of a trolley tipping.

All the food is packaged though. You’re getting a bit worked up over something that isn’t really an issue.

really? Imagine this being the thing you’re worked up about

YABVU if you addressed the child rather than the adult.
Trolleys are dirty regardless - you just don't witness the other sources of contamination.

@FlyingApple

an 8 year old isn’t a small child

We used to strap them in when mine were that age. We had no option for home delivery so you had to manage. Never used to see children in the body of the trolley as much as we do now. What’s changed do you think?

I honestly don't care, what a pointless reply 😂

Mind your own business.

It might be packaged but if you get someone’s shitty shoes in a trolley then shitty germs will go on the packaging and then in your fridge, then when you open the packaging and then touch the food you will be transferring the shitting germs into your food and then into your mouth. Minging. No child needs to sit in trolley, they should walk better for their health.

@FlyingApple

soz 🤷‍♀️ true though 😀 8

I think that your concern about food hygiene, OP, was just an attempt to rationalise the flash of annoyance you felt when you saw this older child in the trolley.
I'd have felt that flash, too, tbh, with a child as old as that, but I think that acting on it in any way would just be self-indulgent. We all have a reservoir of irritability inside us, it feels good to let it out, but it is unfair to use random members of the public as venting opportunities.

The staff should have picked the woman up on this, because it is dangerous. But I expect they were busy. It was not your place to say anything.

Yes, all of this. If you cannot just let people be with their annoying, sub-optimal, risk taking decisions that have no bearing on your life and contain it to silent judging, like the rest of us, you are the one with the problem, op.

Mind your own beeswax. Try spreading joy instead of judgement and misery. Get some perspective and stop telling off Nans and kids in posh supermarkets.

Food wise we're talking about packaged stuff or any loose fruit, veg or salad that would be rinsed before cooking at eating.

You know that lots of vegetables grow in mud right? And that people's hands touch stuff?

Trolley are stored outside and god knows what is on people's hands who touch them. And food is either in packaging or will be washed/cooked. maybe look for a hobby to add some interest to your life?

He gets out the straps. They only go around the waist so it's not hard with enough determination 😂

The child friendly trolleys at Sainsbury's have straps

Trolleys can tip, kids can get injured if they fall out [main body of trolley, but as long as it's fun that's okay.
There are some really stupid people on this thread who can't get their head around these accidents happen.
Saw a 6 year old in an empty trolley once, stood up and it tipped whilst parent was distracted. The resulting head injury looked horrific.
Parent and on lookers will think twice and will possibly judge if they see older kids in trollies in the future, I know I do.

I've just replied to somebody else to say that he gets out of the straps.

This, hopefully their children have been brought up to be nicer more decent human beings 😬