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 manage a charity shop and footfall is noticeably down but people are still coming in ... we have had some fabulous donations so there are plenty of bargains around, we work hard in my shop to make sure the shopping environment is as pleasant and positive as possible whilst respecting the rules but not being over zealous.

Good points made by Kazzy.

Only been once, I was an online shopper before all this and its online all the way now.

I prefer to look at what I've bought in my own home and it's no hassle to return via the corner shop.

I was in a gift shop yesterday with "Do not touch" signs everywhere. Surprised they sold anything.

No, it’s too much of a faff. I hate masks but of course will comply with the relevant guidelines. The upshot is that I’ll be out and about shopping far less, and doing everything that I can via delivery or click and collect.

In the enclosed shopping centre I went to today at least half of tehe people I saw weren't wearing them. Just reaffirms my decusion not to bother with physical shops anymore. It was a horrible sweaty overheated experience for me, yet again fiddling with the damn mask cos I couldn't see and yet half of the place were swanning around without them not a care in the world. Screw that.

DH & I each had a moment of forgetting today, oops. quick nip to an indoors counter situation.

Went into our city centre on Thursday, to get some clothes for DD as she's getting taller so needs longer leggings/trousers/jeans etc.
Going into the shops wasn't a problem, plenty of stock & allowed to pick up things & hold them against you. (JD Sports, Sports Direct & Primark)
Also visited Boots & The Card Factory no problem.
Plenty of hand gel at the entrance of each store & on the counters. Clear screens also at the counter.
The only annoying thing is that half the stuff we bought needs to be returned as obviously you can't try things on at the moment.
Plus there's a different consensus in each store of trying on footwear - yes in Sports Direct & JD but no in Primark.

I have been wearing a mask since yesterday when I went to a couple of shops in the village but half the customers aren't.
I don't need to wear a mask as I have an exemption & I'm beginning to not want to wear one because a lot of people aren't & the masks are really hot when it's a warm humid day (like yesterday)
But mainly I have noticed that the mask wearers aren't paying attention to social distancing, basically standing right next to you & reaching over you for things.
Whilst non mask wearers are keeping their distance & not picking up & putting things down constantly.
Plus the mask wearers are taking their masks off when outside one shop & then putting it back on again when going in a another shop.
Friends in different parts of the country have noticed the same thing re mask wearers/non mask wearers.

I think the mask thing will be gone within the next 3 months as I really don't think the flimsy cloth masks & fabric masks cut the mustard in preventing Covid infection especially when folk aren't keeping their distance from you.
So unless we all have to wear the FFP3 (the most effective ones such as medical staff wear) ) then I really don't see the point.

#TeamOnline

I went to a nearby town today (but didn’t actually go in anywhere). Everyone is wearing masks under their noses or taking them on and off. It’s worse than not having them.
I did go in the corner shop and most people were wearing them. But were taking them off at the door and shoving them in pockets. I doubt they get washed.
I find them grim to be honest.

Nope. I just find it really unpleasant and I love to browse. I won't be browsing again until all this shit is over. I'll just browse online instead.

@Iverunoutofnames

I went to a nearby town today (but didn’t actually go in anywhere). Everyone is wearing masks under their noses or taking them on and off. It’s worse than not having them. I did go in the corner shop and most people were wearing them. But were taking them off at the door and shoving them in pockets. I doubt they get washed. I find them grim to be honest.

I agree, I tried Sainsburys in my mask today and half the people I saw were only wearing them over their mouths and not their noses. What's the point?

Nope.

We went to a local shopping centre today, first time we have bothered in months. Along with wearing masks which were hot and uncomfortable, one way systems forcing you to walk far further then realistically I’m able (chronic illness), ques for some shops putting you off browsing and being unable to pick up and look at items or try things on I honestly won’t be rushing back to the shopping centres any time soon.

I’d just started shopping again
Tkmaxx and my local charity shops
Had a day out with DD to outlet store park
Now with mask wearing I can’t cope so will go back to essential only n quick visits

I just wrote this. Not bad considering i havent done it for years.

Masks are a real drag
But its all about the price tag
Now you need to do your duty.
And shop for clothes and beauty.
Dont forget about shoes.
And stuff you possibly wont use.
And you can go to the pub
Eat lots of lovely grub.
With not a mask in sight.
You can party all night.
Drinkers getting a free pass
So they can drink and fall on their arse.
Had enough of this crap
Sick of being in this trap
Up to me if i dont shop
It doesnt mean you can have a pop.
Now i play the waiting game.
But you wont make me feel shame.
I will wear a mask
But suffering in it is too big an ask

Excellent Helena

Ta

I have had the odd browse in some shops. It was still enjoyable but definitely no more trawling around shops aimlessly for me. I can manage about three and I'm done. I'm on holiday this week and the difference in rules between shops I find confusing. Too much of that and it edges into stressful.

Some shops have numbers inside limits, some dont etc. Queing to browse a charity shop just to discover one of the people inside was a worker wasnt fun.

But most of all I just dont see the need for clothes, uniform, make up etc any more. I carefully chose a travel holdel for holidays with young kids and then I dawned on me, wheres my holiday? Cancelled! Instead I have packed a few leggings and primark T shirts to hide out in a caravan park, eating things we bought from the local Aldi. No restaurants, no bars, no trips out. That's what kills my desire to shop. Give me two pairs of leggings a nd two shirts and my post covid needs are met. Plus wearing a mask I might as well grow a beard and shave my head. No one will recognise me.

It is hard to find joy right now. I will stick to my two towns and a new favourite late night opening Next and M&S on a out of town retail park. I feel more comfortable later when it's quite or on my turf where I know the rules sadly. Dreading Christmas shopping as I used to love that

I’d started going once a week for an hour, in an effort to do my bit to try to save the high street and last week paid more for books in Waterstones rather than ordering from Amazon but regretted it when the assistant very abruptly said ‘barcodes up’ a couple of times before I understood what he wanted me to do.

I went for a last ‘relaxed’ shop on Thursday, before the mask rule came in, and a lot of people were wearing them as they walked around and I’ve felt quite unsettled since. Certainly the positivity that I was beginning to feel about the whole situation has gone since then.
I found it very sad to see people with so much of their faces covered so I’ll only be going to the shops if I have no other option now.

Yep, I’ve have been to the shops in C London and it’s been a fantastic experience as footfall is so low. I went as DS needed new clothes and we managed to get an entire wardrobe within 2 hours on Oxford/Regent St. You can shop in peace but it’s a pain not being able to try things on. I don’t mind wearing a mask. I wouldn’t go for browsing only as it’s a bit depressing when the number of staff > customers but great if you if you are going for a purpose. I thought footfall would pick up but it’s still dead.

If even the local pharmacist guy wears his mask under his chin when he has popped out of the chemist then there is really no hope. You would think he would know better and set a proper example!

Not at all. Due to masks all the enjoyment has been sucked out of it for me. I’ve gone from shopping 2/3 times a week to now once a week. I will probably save more money as I’m meal planning more and have got a bigger fridge freezer so I can now bulk buy meaning I only have to to go to the shops when I really have to.