Is anyone “going for a wander around the shops” anymore

[Makinganewthinghappen]

I used to enjoy going for a wander around the shops, charity shops, books shops etc and just picking up bits and pieces.

Since Covid though it’s just not enjoyable doing that - Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining about the measures taken I know they are needed but it has made a relaxing rummage pretty impossible. Wearing a mask, the one way systems etc and notices not to touch anything your not going to buy makes are a little off putting!

I really miss my little trips to our local shops and I have been trying since they reopened to get back into the swing of it one or two have on mine delivery which I have used but most don’t, a few have already shut down.

Is anyone else finding shops difficult to use at the moment? I feel bad for not supporting the shops - I literally live on the Main Street I look out of the window and see how empty they are!

I don't mind wearing a mask so that isn't a problem for me. Yes, in some places there are queues but I wait.....I mean, what are people rushing back home to?

My children (DH has worked ridiculous hours since lockdown so I don’t get much chance to pop out on my own), my freelance work that I have to do in every spare minute so I don’t lose my business...

Anyway no, I won’t be visiting any shops in person until all the social distancing/face masks etc are a thing of that past, however long that takes. It’s miserable. I like to browse, sit and have a coffee, pick things up to look at them and check the quality, try make up samples, get my eyebrows done in Debenhams etc. Without being able to do all that, I just can’t be bothered.
I am really looking forward to the cash I’ll save though.

I have been a few times - wandered a bit after specific errands like collecting prescriptions. Bought the odd thing but I’ve also been decluttering like crazy in lockdown and I’m painfully aware of not buying stuff when I have things to use up at home. Good for the bank balance but annoying on days like today when I am grumpy and fancy some retail therapy :o

I struggle with masks (I could use an exemption but then I get anxious anyway) so I’ll be even less likely to go after this week. I’ll just try and go when we need something specific as at least it gets me out a bit. I have tried a couple of pubs for some much needed alone time and they’ve been fine - nicer than usual actually as spacious and quiet - and I’ll definitely keep doing that

I am not a great one for shopping anyway, but now it is very unpleasant.
First, the queue to get in, then in some cases sanitiser, then a one way system; can't forget something and double back; can't browse due to the queue outside, waiting for you to exit!
I went to our nearest shopping centre this week, for a pre mask shop, and there was a one way system (which I did not realise, and crossed as i wanted to look in a shop on the other side). Some shops had queues outside. No shop cafes open.
On Saturday went to a coffee shop with DS, but no, only in twos, so DS, DH and I can't sit together. So did not bother.

I'm in Scotland. The whole shopping experience has just gone now. DD and I braved our nearest city this week to get much needed essentials but I couldn't wait to get out.
The masks make me panic, I can't get enough air through them. I'm tried disposable and home made cotton but get on better with a thinish scarf. My glasses steam up and my internal temperature matches that of a nuclear reactor. Hot, sweaty, no changing rooms, queuing to get in, sticky from all the different sanitisers, limited stock, orders being barked at me.......sigh. No more for me. I love a good mooch, and DD and I love a girls day out shopping. I'd promised her the mother of all shopping days when normality resumed (teen girl, you can imagine the joy!!). Not a chance while its still like this - no loos, no coffee and cake stops, no seats to stop for a second.
This will be the end of the high St.

Nope. Shopping now is a total ballache. I've been in a couple of times for things I absolutely need, but that's it. You can't touch things, check labels, feel material, read the back of books. You just have to choose an item based on limited information and go with it.

I still don't get why you can't try clothes on - instead people are putting them in their potentially dirty cars, back to dirty houses, back in the car if they need to return them...

I'm a nope too. I want to wander around at my own pace, look at stuff, pick things up, put them back, stop for a cup of tea and some cake, generally relax. I do not want to queue, sanitise, be marshalled round a one way system, look but not touch, fret about how long I'm taking and if I'm holding up other people, worry about being told off by a shop assistant, all while trying to breathe through a piece of paper that does fuck all for infection control but does a brilliant job of steaming up my glasses so that I can't see.

No thanks.

I'm in France at the moment. You have to wear a mask and there's hand sanitizer you can put on if you want to. Other than that there are no rules at all. No queuing to get in. You can touch the stuff, try things on etc

I'm in France at the moment. You have to wear a mask and there's hand sanitizer you can put on if you want to. Other than that there are no rules at all. No queuing to get in. You can touch the stuff, try things on etc

See this I could just about deal with. But masks and all the other shit? Firm no.

I used to enjoy clothes shopping but if I can't try on (and I understand why) I don't see any point in going to the shops. Online is easier. I did go round IKEA recently which was nice, but definitely less time browsing than usual (we had a shopping list of stuff to buy). Someone else mentioned queuing outside while people were browsing - I wouldn't want to be the browsee and take up time if I then didn't buy much. It's hard as I do want to support our local shops. Maybe it'll be better when our John Lewis reopens next week

It freaks me out too much to be enjoyable. Just stay closed surely if you are so uptight? Anyway, instead I shall stay, not at home, but in my local area on walks in nature. Cheaper and healthier.
I don't mind my local supermarket which has been very chill, but from Friday it's online for me

Nope it's way too stressful and no longer a pleasure.

I'll go back when the real normal returns, but until then won't bother.

I'm planning on popping into town for a few essentials next week, will mask up. I've avoided the shops at the weekend right the way through lockdown, as not working seems more sensible to go in the week. I feel better mentally popping out for a couple of hours during the day and view mask wearing as a necessary mechanism for being enabled to do that at the moment.

Nope! Dont want to queue outside for ages when what I want may be out of stock to then queue outside another shop. Cant try anything on or go back on the one way systems. Not so bothered about the masks thing it's the queuing I can't be doing with. I'll stick to ordering online.
This does make me sad for the ever diminishing high street though.

No. I’m in Scotland and have been wearing a mask in the supermarket for ages now, but that’s a necessary evil. I usually love a good browse round the shops, clothes, makeup, perfume, nice candles, but I can’t imagine getting any pleasure from it now.

I popped into Paperchase for an academic year diary last week, and it was fine - but I asked the assistant where they were, grabbed one, paid, and left. Usually I would have come out with the diary and a handful of cards, but I didn’t want to faff about.

I imagine impulse buys will drop right down, and people will only shop for what they need, not as an afternoon out. I’m still buying stuff online, so all the better for the Hermes lady and Amazon guy.

I volunteer in a charity shop and I get what you mean about joyless. We've had to remove around 20% of our shelves / spinners for clothes to allow more space for people to socially distance. Sanitise. Wipe. Can you wear a mask? No cash. Contactless only. Cashier behind a perspex screen. Can you take the hangers out yourself and drop them in that box for me? And bag your own purchases too please?

It's just yuk.

Covid for I and most I know here in UK and globally has killed off the concept of leisure retail therapy otherwise known as browsing, window shopping and yes buying unnecessary crap with buyers remorse.

Now shopping is online or if in person systematic and time optimised for robotic efficiency to minimise obvious risk and potential exposure. I do like the independent quirky outlets with a good unique, friendly and knowledgeable offering so will ensure to support them over identikit just another barcode like ubiquitous stores.

On the positive note I will own less junk and be more marketing resilient. I will choose to support the local economy by choosing expenditure on experiences such as UK Brexit (not a Brexshit fan!) friendly staycations as well as international cultural exploration when safe to do so. Materialism is pre Covid era and no longer spark joy after detoxing a la Kondoisation.

I did a bit at the start, but not really any more. It's such a miserable experience, queueing, one way, hand sanitiser, shops half stocked because half the shelves have been taken out, weird stock that mainly just looks like it's what they had available in March. I loved shopping but I really don't enjoy it at all at the moment.

I’m another one who won’t be going until the mask wearing thing is stopped.

@Destroyedpeople

I went into a charity shop yesterday and bought a little stripy floor rug and a Portmeirion tray if that's any comfort ..

Really jealous about the portmeirion tray!!

Yes. Wearing a mask and socially distancing. Xx

I'm ok with it. It is quiet so I find that better than before tbh. I have worked through Covid in a stressful job and am 99% sure I have already had it.

Mask wearing I am used to. So yes I shop as before March.

Strangely I have. I've lived Go Ng back to charity shops, gift shops, even H&M.

At times it's a bit disconcerting, like when people don't distance.

But generally I find it a joy to be out and about.

@user49er
Thank you....it was indeed a great find...Square melamine with classic Portmeirion design and only £1.25 !!

Nothing's going to keep me from lurking in charity shops I tell you...

I'll still go when I need things. So many people on here saying "i go when it's all back to normal" but if too many people say that these places won't be there anymore and so many jobs will be lost.

Me too! I tried last week and the whole thing seems so totally out of proportion. All the announcements over their sound system about keeping safe, staying 2 m apart, wear a face covering...it makes.me feel like I'm being socially conditioned.

The whole experience is totally and utterly joyless and I won't be going to any shop unless it's vital again.