Is this wrong?

[jdw1991]

So I regularly see my neighbours getting visits from someone who drops shopping off. The person who drops the shopping off keeps a safe distance, doesn't enter the household but stays outside of the garden to chat. Is this allowed? I've heard so many different opinions on it but I'm not so sure!!

I couldn't get upset about it. If they were just going for the chat then it's not advised, but they're already there. I would just ignore

ffs how many of these, are they allowed posts are there going to be.

If you're neighbour is unable to go out then it must be a welcome relief for them to have some human contact and it sounds like everyone is being conscientious about maintaining social distancing.
Rather than questioning whether this is OK I'd be inclined to make sure they had my phone number in case they needed anything and give them a call for a chat and to make sure they were OK.

@vodkaredbullgirl there's no need to get arsy! I'm new to the forum to start with so I haven't seen loads of posts for it. I'm generally trying to get opinions so if you can't be nice.. Do one!

What the actual heck is wrong with you that you think dropping off shopping and having a conversation is something to report? Get a hobby.

PS it is fine to have a socially distanced chat in this situation.

The neighbour may no have internet, family, friends etc, so that 5min chat might be the only conversation they have all week! have you ever tried chatting to them yourself rather than just logging things your neighbours are doing? Having some contact, even if brief, can do wonders for peoples mental health.

If they were having a BBQ in the garden each week, or sitting on the front porch with martinis together, then NO. To drop shopping off to someone who is likely shielding, I cannot see anything wrong with a distant chat!

@millymaple did I at any point in my post say I would report it?? Read it again!

No, the person should drop the food off whilst remaining completely mute - opening your mouth could release stray covid droplets which could shoot across the garden and land in the other persons mouth. Only when the dropper has driven off should the receiver of the goods come outside - that is the RULE!

(I’m being sarcastic btw)

I delivered something for a family that were shielding a very poorly family member so not going out yesterday. We had a 15 min chat on the door step (I had stepped back) and it was a tonic for both of us (especially them who hadn't seen anyone for weeks). I don't see the harm if you're there anyway.

Why do you think it would be a problem?

Drop and run, is that what you want to hear.

My step dad has brought some goodies for the kids. My mum misses them and us used to buying them their favourite food. I know this isn't essential and I didn't realise he was coming down.

He left then by the front and stopped further down the drive to chat a little.

I get you OP. I've asked a few questions myself that people have said I shouldn't. They think people are deliberately doing it to wind people up.

Good grief, really?

Of course it’s not wrong for goodness sake.

I have been taking shopping weekly to an old family friend who is 90. I [shock horror] even have to go into her house and put her shopping on the counter for her, as leaving it at the doorstep presents a real risk that she would fall over trying to get it in the house herself. Afterwards I always spend 10-15 mins chatting at the door. Yesterday I even took DS(6) with me although he didn’t go inside. It really cheered her up to see him for a few minutes.

Seriously?

Is this competitive corona-sanctimony syndrome again or is it honest confusion? Not sure which is more depressing.

@louise5754 thank you! I'm glad someone understands. Some people on here are so quick to jump down everyone's throat! I never said I would report anyone. And I never said I thought it was a massive thing I just wanted opinions. I'm new to the forum and wanted to get chatting with people. Thank you for being nice 😃

Why do you ask? What will you do if it’s not allowed?

As long as it is not causing a problem with their or anyone else's social distancing then of course it is ok.

I'm someone who's got really pissed off recently with my neighbour going out umpteen times a day and mixing with other neighbours.

However if someone can't leave the house at all due to shielding, I can totally see why just a few minutes of chatting to someone who is probably extremely lonely can only be a good thing.

A quick chat is certainly better than driving past, and hurling the bag of shopping out the car window!!!

But use your brain - why would it not be okay? Is it the talking to people from a distance that’s your issue? Is it that it might have the coincidental effect of making people cheerful? Do you think misery protects?

Using the internet to speculate about your neighbours' private lives isn't "nice".

I actually just wrote this on a other post.....

Social distancing is going to be around for a long time. People really need to start to think for themselves about is something safe or is it going to cause a problem for themselves or others.