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Original poster

Please tell me I'm not the only one who hasn't been to the supermarket

164 replies

Snuggles81 · 29/05/2020 23:35

So the last time I stepped foot in a supermarket was March 20th on my way home from work, before all the social distancing changes happened in stores.

Since then my DH has done all our shopping and I have now got myself all stressed and anxious about going to one.

It's not the risk of catching the virus that worries me (I'm still working in school, going out for social distance walks etc) but the change and rules on the supermarkets and some of the way people have be treated.

I suffer with anxiety anyway and always overthink new situations.

I've now made going to the supermarket this big issue in my head.

Am I the only one feeling this way? Such a silly thing to worry about but the thought of going shopping of any kind worries me.

OP posts:
AlphaDalpha · 30/05/2020 15:27

Waitrose either early or late has felt the safest.

cologne4711 · 30/05/2020 15:41

There aren't really any new rules unless you go to a supermarket with a one way system.

I can walk to my local shops so I look to see if there's a queue outside and if there is I just walk home again. If there isn't a queue, I go in and get my shopping. None of the three shops in my town have a one way system so it's really exactly the same as normal. I won't reach across someone, but I do pass within 2m, especially if they are facing away from me.

I wear a face covering but only in the shop, not outside.

AuntieMarys · 30/05/2020 15:43

I go to Sainsburys or Waitrose every 6 days or so and top up at Tesco express or the market.
Very calm and organised after the initial panic late March.

BrigitsBigKnickers · 30/05/2020 15:46

Nope- I haven't been in a shop since March 17th. We have got deliveries from supermarkets and local companies who sell fresh produce.

Smileyoriley · 30/05/2020 16:09

I haven't been in a supermarket since the very beginning, and now do Sainsbury's click and collect- brilliant! The Waitrose service was not as good in our area as you had to go into the store itself and get in everyone's way waiting to collect. The store itself looked OK and friends who do still supermarket shop tell me it's all about the time you go.I do top up shops in our village store and farm shop which are both well organised. I'm not a big fan of food shopping anyway, but do miss going in to have a look at clothes and homeware. I will do so again once people are a little less stressed and panicky. I remember bomb warnings in London shops in the 1970's and I get that kind of vibe from people at times now and prefer to avoid it.

DeliaOwens · 30/05/2020 16:15

I do a large weekly shop at Tesco Extra. I go very early on Sat morning and it's manageable. Give your self lots more time than normal. Plan ahead (masks, wipes, bags etc) There are lots of rules about queuing and walking down the aisles but it's manageable OP. We are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm and my experience is that people are trying hard to be kind, and courteous.

Just take it 5 mins at a time. Breaking it into manageable chunks makes the task less daunting.

purpletotes · 30/05/2020 18:03

I haven't. And happy with how things are tbh. No desire whatsoever to go in one either.

Rhodri · 30/05/2020 18:12

I went to one shop last week for the first time since before lockdown. After ten minutes I walked out and I won’t be going back. People are idiots and don’t keep their distance.

PissOffStayAtHomeDogMum · 30/05/2020 18:28

I'm quite glad that so many people are planning not to leave their houses for a while to come. It will make shopping a more pleasant experience for those of us who can't wait for everything to open.

Mummybearsporridge · 30/05/2020 18:39

So glad to read this, I feel exactly the same. I wouldn't know what to do if I went shopping now!

Original poster
Snuggles81 · 30/05/2020 20:05

I'm so pleased some of you have found this post helpful.

So I did it, well small scale and just a little metro but it's the first step. We had been out with the children to a forest and on the way back they needed a drink, so DH pulled up at the metro and as there wasn't a queue, I heard myself say I'll go!! Two other people in the shop and I literally went in got the drinks and out, but did it. It helped being quiet and no one behind me.

OP posts:
BruceAndNosh · 30/05/2020 20:33

That's great!

H1978 · 30/05/2020 20:50

I didn’t go to a supermarket until end of April but honestly I felt better for it, it wasn’t as scary as I had thought in my over active imagination and most people are really good about the social distancing. I still prefer to have shower when I return and wash all clothing but that’s just for my peace of mind

EduCated · 30/05/2020 20:51

I did it too! A little express store. No queue. Some drunken nobs getting a bit close in the queue, but otherwise very quiet. Pleased I did.

MistressGammon · 30/05/2020 20:56

I haven’t been either. DH is a keyworker so does all our shopping but tbf he has been out and about so much in situations where he’s not able to distance that it’s been pretty pointless me and the kids staying home as enthusiastically as we have. Luckily we’re all fit and healthy so it’s not too much of a worry. I’m actually hoping we’ve had it already and just didn’t realise at the time.

Putapeonyinyourpocket · 30/05/2020 22:01

the advise is not to wear gloves. If you’re at home all the time why have you been over washing your hands?

@SudokuBook I have sensitive skin, I haven't been at home all the time just not in shops, therefore I still wash my hands as per gov advice.

Winnipegdreamer · 30/05/2020 23:15

I went for the first time last week. Went to a quiet Lidl at a quiet time of the day. It was actually quite enjoyable with people staying the fuck away from me for a change Grin

decisionsdecision · 30/05/2020 23:18

I haven't been! No one in my household has. We have just got deliveries

Murinae · 30/05/2020 23:25

I hadn’t been in any shop at all since lockdown started till last week when I went into poundstretcher as there was no queue and hardly anyone in there after picking up our Tesco click and collect. Was really weird after all this time.

caringcarer · 30/05/2020 23:35

I went on Friday, for first time since March 17th. I have been shopping online. I went to Morrisons Friday evening at 8pm. No queue to go in and very few people shopping. No queue to pay. I was a bit worried when we arrived but chose time it would not be busy. Have a delivery slot for next week.

JellyFishSquish · 30/05/2020 23:40

Not been out since March 11th. No shop, no anything. It will feel very strange to be in a shop now. Am a bit anxious.

twinkledag · 30/05/2020 23:42

I've had to go every week as no chance of getting delivery around here! I refuse to queue though and just drive to another store or go to a smaller shop if I can't get into the big supermarket near me.

Feellikedancingyeah · 30/05/2020 23:46

I haven't been. Used Amazon Prime Now. Why stress when can get it delivered 😊

KatherineJaneway · 31/05/2020 07:17

Glad you had a successful trip out OP.

Ginfordinner · 31/05/2020 07:38

As several PP have pointed out being inside a supermarket is much less frantic these days because numbers are strictly controlled. IME the best time to go is at about 8.30 pm. Our local Tesco put social distancing and customer safety plans in place as soon as lockdown happened, and have done it better than any other supermarket I have been to. The local Lidl is excellent as well.

Morrisons reduce numbers, but it is a bit of a free for all once inside.

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