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Feeling awful about Corona faux pas

9 replies

Paintforkitchen · 25/03/2020 08:22

Our neighbours are quite elderly. I popped round the other day to see if they needed help getting shopping or anything. All done at a safe distance, I was part way down their drive. They asked for a couple of bits which I managed to get hold of. Dropped them round yesterday - I left the bag by the door, rang the door bell and again moved back down their drive. So far so good. Then they wanted to give me money. It was only a few £ worth of stuff and I said a few times it was fine I didn’t want it but it was getting into one of those silly arguments so she put the money down on a bench and I went to take it. It was far too much..... and I picked it all up and went to hand her the change 😫 She looked horrified, I was obviously far too close just completely without thinking.
I went home and had a little cry about it and still feel so bad now. This is such a horrible place to be where people have to be suspicious of everyone and try and change all normal habits. I’m so cross with myself and feel awful for worrying them. I know the chance of me having anything and passing it on from that tiny interaction are virtually non existent but I just can’t stop thinking about it. I hope they are not also sat there worrying about. Anyone else managed to do similar and get it wrong with the best of intentions?

OP posts:
Bishybarnybee · 25/03/2020 08:26

Aw, bless you. She would only have to wash her hands, you really didn't put her at risk. It's hard though, I've found myself worrying about interactions too - like a very specific form of social anxiety. Think we have to try to be kind to ourselves and recognise when we're overthinking.

Yallreadyforthis · 25/03/2020 08:29

It was from force of habit, not horrible intentions. I'm sure your neighbour will understand.

Your kindness far, far outweighs any mis step.

Blackopal · 25/03/2020 08:29

Stop getting at yourself, I mean that kindly.

You are not responsible for the situation, you were trying to be kind, the world now goes against our normal instincts and that's exhausting. The neighbour needed to wash her hands, thats it.

Try and enjoy the sunshine Brew

Sooverthemill · 25/03/2020 08:30

I totally f**d up with the Tesco delivery man yesterday. We are all getting used to it. Try not to worry. You were being helpful.

YangShanPo · 25/03/2020 08:31

It's a tiny risk to go a bit too close. After all you had touched the shopping and she had touched the money so it would never be a totally risk free situation but obviously far better for them than having to go out shopping as some elderly people are still having to do.

ScissorsBike · 25/03/2020 08:31

Jeez, calm down!

dimotikopp · 25/03/2020 08:35

This cane up on my fb and it makes sense to me... www.facebook.com/543980434/posts/10157868967835435/?d=n

smoooth · 25/03/2020 08:54

I know how you feel. I also got some stuff for elderly neighbours and was fine until I woke up in the night and thought 'I touched their gate latch. They will have touched it later. They won't have thought to wash hands afterwards'. I now feel like a potential murderess and have spent the morning Googling to find out how infectious you are if asymptomatic, what the odds are on being infected etc. I know it's stupid but can't help it. I'm just staying inside now where I can't do any more harm!

Paintforkitchen · 25/03/2020 13:28

Thank you, that all makes me feel better!
Honestly @ScissorsBike I’m normally quite a level headed kind of person but none of this is normal!!!

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