How are you supposed to shop when you are treated awfully?

[Mummypig2020]

I popped to jojo this morning as Dd needing some shoes. She’s 3 and Dh works during the day so I took her with me.

We were barked at as soon as we walked in (no one else was in the store). Don’t let go of dds hand, no touching anything. I don’t mind these things but to be made to feel utter shit about it. It was horrible and I really had to bite my lip from not crying (hormonal!).
I just felt so sad for Dd, she normally loves that shop :(

I said jokingly “wish we could just go back to normal” to be shouted that it won’t ever go back and if I touch something it will not keep other people safe 😑😑

Well they sounds like twats. I wouldn’t go there again.

If they sell kids' shoes - how do you buy them without taking your dd? You can't take your dd's feet off and take them with you!

Go somewhere where the staff have brain cells.

That’s just rude. I would complain to their head office.

Gosh!!! Dh took ds age 3 to buy shoes this morning. They had to queue for 15 mins to get in, but all fine when in there, the try on shoes seat was cleaned between users, and the till had a screen up. Other than that it was fairly normal. I think that particular shop keeper must be extremely anxious! OTT.

This is why I’m avoiding shops. I have a 17 month old and as nursery is taking reduced numbers and we don’t qualify I would have to take him with me (plus he also needs new shoes so kind of need his feet with me too!), but children are generally being treated like filthy little disease vectors at the moment so I’m staying away.

If you know her size, I recommend the supermarket. They've been open throughout so are more comfortable with the process

You sure you were shouted at, or were they just saying it clearly.

Thank god for online shopping and a lovely local post office - who are like a time capsule of normality and common sense.

Thank you! Will try the super market.

I felt so sad for her, she wanted to measure her self against the growing thing like she normally does and obviously wasn’t allowed to let go of her hand.

I'd try and find another shop, and remember this incident when lockdown is over. They'll soon be competing for customers again.

I had this in boots the other day. I had the Spanish inquisition from the shop assistant at the front door about what I was there for. It was essential, suncream for my eldest. But then I was followed around the shop and tutted at for buying other things as well (tampons BTW incase you were as interested as the staff in boots were!).

I usually have a lot of sympathy with shop workers having been there myself many moons ago. But if you actually want some kind of income, they have to accept customers!!

I haven't had anything like this. I had to take dts into Superdrug yesterday. No questions asked, bought what I wanted including a random candle and a lipstick.

I guess it will depend on the member of staffs perceived level of risk, or jobsworthness.

DD works in a retail store. They have to have someone in the door telling you the 'rules' before you enter. It's tiresome and draining. Why did you feel shit about it and nearly cry? They have to tell everyone entering the store what is expected of them. It's not a judgement.

Feeling sad for your daughter because she couldn't touch things is odd, you must have known this before you went

People are scared, they might have been really anxious about going back to work. Give people a break.

For the future trace round your DD's bare feet now so you can check if she has grown at home first.

Make it a new fun shoe experience and decorate round the outlines.

Maybe the staff are nervous in this first week back as a frontline worker in a pandemic! Think lockdown should have been harder then this wouldn’t feel so dangerous. They will soften as they get used to it.

Before the non essential shops opened we visited others that were allowed to be open and some of them we were treated and spoken to awfully. I have about 3/4 shops currently on my list that we will not visit again.
I am not rushing to any shops at the moment that don’t allow kids, have a no cash policy only card etc. Most places I have been to, the staff have been lovely just the odd one where it seems the staff are on a power trip that I refuse to return to.

I have customer assistants bark at me too in Asda especially at the till. Where to stand, where to put my bag, aggressively sliding my cards towards me. I'm fed up with it all, like I said to my husband the other day customer service has gone downhill, and don't even mention doctor receptionists to me

Did they shout or did they pass on instructions

Did you really feel sad for your DD?

Do people not cope with being given instructions?

Its certainly appealed to a type who have always longed for some power. Avoid those shops. Not everyone is like this.

Yes, there's a way of saying it. We've actually had training on how to apply whats needed by us and customers and how to politely put it across. Also, if customer refuses how we deal with that.

Honestly they were really rude. I don’t mind being told the rules going into the shop but it was horrible.

I asked if in the future me and Dh could both go into the shop because he’s the one who pays and he likes to choose things too and was told no, only one adult and one child or two adults.

Went into peacocks this morning and was met with a cheerful lady who offered me hand gel and reminded me not to use the fitting rooms. She then asked how I was, talked to me about how happy she was to be back at work. So welcoming and I never usually go there!

Such a shame some people have to act like the staff in JoJos. Vote with your feet OP.

I asked if in the future me and Dh could both go into the shop because he’s the one who pays and he likes to choose things too and was told no, only one adult and one child or two adults.

Leaving aside how rude the shop staff were for a moment, why do you need to go to a shop to buy shoes for your child with your DH? He doesn't need to help choose her shoes (yes he might like to and so next time he can take her himself at a weekend) and surely you have means to pay for things yourself? If you don't have the means to pay without your DH there then he is financially abusive and that's a worse situation than rude shop staff.