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Original poster

Has anyone called out mask slip ups in shops?

160 replies

Dollyparton3 · 28/08/2020 16:01

I use the term "slip ups" politely.

Last week in Matalan, man at the tills with his family had pulled his mask down to his chin. Another woman walking round the store with it pulled under her nose so her moutb was covered but nothing else.

Yesterday a couple in an antique shop both pulled their masks down then took them off whilst walking around the shop. I get very huffy and loud every time I see it but what I really want to do is call it out and ask them to "put the mask on properly or leave the shop". Is it just me? Does anyone have any witty suggestions of how to suggest to people that they follow the guidelines properly for the good of everyone?

OP posts:
QueenBlueberries · 28/08/2020 19:07

OP, I have never said anything to anyone in shops, but part of me keeps on thinking that mask wearing would be much more efficient if people bothered wearing them correctly. But it's not something we are allowed to discuss on Mumsnet apparently, if we do we are crucified. Sorry OP, obviously you didn't know when you posted, it's the same for everyone who feels the way you do.

If you dare say 'we wear masks to protect others' then you are accused of all sorts of things.

Better learn quickly and keep these thoughts to yourself. The anti mask brigade is pretty sensitive about this stuff.

OhdearSummersOver · 28/08/2020 19:10

No I haven't come across the face mask police yet. I do wear one but I haven't seen others being 'told off' by others for not doing so....

OhdearSummersOver · 28/08/2020 19:12

Yes this thread is a wind up.

Witty replies or huffy comments to non masks wearings

Try getting a life @Dollyparton3

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/08/2020 19:15

I do wonder why people wear them over their mouth but not nose. That one is baffling. Otherwise I just assume they probably have a good reason.

Piggy52a · 28/08/2020 19:18

Get a grip

hastingsmua1 · 28/08/2020 19:21

@MrsTerryPratchett

I do wonder why people wear them over their mouth but not nose. That one is baffling. Otherwise I just assume they probably have a good reason.
It’s not baffling, is it? It’s probably easier to breathe out of or more comfortable for them as it’s less restrictive. I can see why they do it, although it’s not in the spirit of preventing the spread
anon5000 · 28/08/2020 19:21

@garlictwist

For some reason wearing a mask makes my nose stream with snot which then pools into the mask and into my mouth. So I have to keep pulling it down to wipe. Sorry.
OMG me too. I thought it was just me.
Ellsbells12 · 28/08/2020 19:22

Oh fffs people like you drive me mad I wore a mask today and come over faint and sick .... if someone asked I would tell them honestly so many mask police

Ellsbells12 · 28/08/2020 19:23

@byvirtue well bloody said the fear is crazy on this site

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/08/2020 19:31

It’s not baffling, is it? It’s probably easier to breathe out of or more comfortable for them as it’s less restrictive.

But it's baffling because why do they bother? It's probably worse than nothing at all.

CoronaBollox · 28/08/2020 19:32

Ooooo you would get told to fuck right off round here, kind of want to see you do it. Careful OP some people react to confrontation with... more confrontation. Doubt it will be the public shaming moment you hope for.

Hazelnutlatteplease · 28/08/2020 19:41

DS with SN had dropped his mask under his nose. I Realised and evidently in a slightly too loud voice said "Put you mask back over your nose"

DD was in stitches as at least one guy within earshot sorted his mask out. Grin

Babyboomtastic · 28/08/2020 19:43

If someone isn't wearing a mask then I give them the benefit of the doubt.

If someone is in a group and none of them are wearing a mask, I try to force myself to give them the benefit of the doubt, though my suspicions are aroused.

If someone is wearing a mask deliberately wrong, then I do feel irritated. It's not just not in the spirit of the law, but the letter of the law. A beard mask is as much against the law as no mask (unless exempt). If someone is exempt then don't wear a mask, putting one over your chin just gives the impression that you can wear one you just aren't willing to do it properly. And yes if particularly bad, i may raise an eyebrow or glare a little in your direction.

MarshmallowManiac · 28/08/2020 19:54

I can't believe the abuse you are getting OP for asking a simple question. People should wear their masks correctly, otherwise what is the point?? We are wearing them to protect others, so why shouldn't they wear them to protect us. Obviously if there is a valid reason then that's different. It does slightly annoy me when people wear their masks on their chin or not covering their nose. Also get a little miffed when they walk the opposite way of the arrows I mean come on Grin

megletthesecond · 28/08/2020 19:57

I haven't. But I keep will out of the way of people not in a mask. Not just 2 metres, even more than that.
A drunk guy wasn't wearing his in the supermarket yesterday so I kept back 4 metres. I don't have the time and energy to risk being ill.

Reedwarbler · 28/08/2020 20:05

@MarshmallowManiac she's not asking a simple question, she is wondering how she should get people to comply with the law. This is not her job. If she wishes to do this perhaps she should join the police. Does she also go round flagging down speeding cars or detaining shoplifters?
Op, you look after yourself and stop worrying about what others are doing, it really isn't your place to monitor mask use.

MagratsDanglyCharms · 28/08/2020 20:06

@byvirtue

Yes it’s just you. Who cares how people wear their mask there is virtually no chance of catching Covid in a shop. In my area 1 in 25000 People has Covid. Read up on the stats it’s hardly the killer the government and the media would have us believe. More people are currently committing suicide, dying from cancer, or dying from a heart attack than from Covid. But sure become the self appointed mask police if that makes your life seem worthwhile, whilst you are at it why don’t you challenge everyone not wearing a mask just in case they don’t have an exemption.

Or just get a life and let others get on with theirs!

Just read this and my thoughts are the following; the first case in the UK was right at the end of Jan.... just 7 weeks later we were in lockdown because it had spread that much. PLEASE don't be complacent because the figures are so low.

And no I wouldn't be pulling up random people in shops unless they were criticising others in which case, fair game!

That said, I HAVE advised people when they come into MY shop.... it's usually done in a chivvying, jolly hockey sticks fashion of ' oh dearie me, your mask has slipped under your nose.... just pop it up and over would you?!' I find people instinctively do as they're told even if you suspect they were wearing it that way on purpose. I've not had one person argue yet!

jimmyhill · 28/08/2020 20:07

There will always be people who are medically exempt too.

People who are medically exempt don't wear them in their chins, that behaviour is the exclusive preserve of thickos

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 28/08/2020 20:10

Tasers.
What we all need are Government issued Tasers...
... and permission to use them on anyone not wearing a mask in a shop/bowling alley... or, and this is important, look like they might not at some point in the future.

MarshmallowManiac · 28/08/2020 20:14

She's entitled to have an opinion Reed it also isn't your job to police her opinion.

BoggledBudgie · 28/08/2020 20:14

Wind em up and watch em go

EarringsandLipstick · 28/08/2020 20:24

I cannot believe they abuse OP has received here.

I also can't believe how many people seem to think it's ok not to wear a mask. I'm in Ireland, it's mandatory & everyone is wearing one or using a visor. I've seen almost nobody not wearing them - and very few therefore seem to consider themselves medically exempt.

However, so many people wearing them incorrectly, as OP describes. I wouldn't say anything but I absolutely understand her frustration.

Wearing them incorrectly, touching them, pulling them down, is adding to risks for other people

QueenBlueberries · 28/08/2020 20:27

EarringandLipstick, there is no point in trying to have a sensible discussion about face masks on here. You are making perfect sense, but you will be shut down in a minute by anti masks.

PhilCornwall1 · 28/08/2020 20:34

and for the exempt to wear badges (as they ARE the ones putting others at risk, whether they want to/ have difficult circumstances or not)

I do wear a lanyard and it makes bugger all difference, I still get abuse and it's getting worse all the time.

I left a shop today, as i was extremely close to hitting some one very hard after being abused. The do gooders can get fucked as far as I'm concerned now.

The next person to abuse me is now very likely to get my foot in the side of their head.

TrickyKid · 28/08/2020 20:36

You'd probably huff at me. I can only wear it a short while before my glasses steam up so do sometimes take it off in shops so I can actually see!