Supermarket Request

[Stellaris22]

I'm hoping not to get shouted at for this, but .....

As someone who works in a local version of a larger supermarket, we are still maintaining social distancing through limited customers, especially important when we have deliveries.

Please don't shout at us for doing this, please don't come in groups or pairs (unless absolutely necessary). Please don't take forever browsing as it causes queues to form (not nice in cold weather).

We are trying our best as staff, but being on an empty checkout watching customers dawdle and a queue getting bigger outside is no fun for anyone.

I work in a n a small convenience type store, not a large superstore. I understand a weekly shop will take considerably longer.

But being in the store for 10-15 mins and buying 1-2 items is when the issues begin to arise.

I did not intend to be patronising so apologise if it came across this way. But there can be elderly customers waiting in the rain and it is not fair.

Obviously it would be nice to be leisurely and browse, but it's not possible in these circumstances.

I've had enough of being told off for doing totally normal things.
The truth is there's no way of stopping this virus spreading and the focus needs to move to treating it.

Are you on Supermarket Sweep or something? 10-15 minutes I'm still in the fruit and veg.

But being in the store for 10-15 mins and buying 1-2 items is when the issues begin to arise.

That is not the problem of the customers in the shop. If people waiting are getting aggressive, they’re the issue.

@SengaMac

10-15 mins? I take 30-60 mins but I only go shopping once in every 3-4 weeks so as to reduce my risk of getting infected.

If people are only buying a few things in their 10-15 mins, tho, you have a point.

I shop this way too. As infrequently as possible but I do a big shop. It takes a lot more than 10-15 minutes. It's not unreasonable. Nor is it unreasonable or dawdling to check prices per gram or per litre and get the best value for money.

I'm always pleasant to shop staff, and find they are polite and pleasant back. No indication that they resent me for doing a big shop.

I'm happy to avoid your supermarket if you tell me which one I should be avoiding.

@Stellaris22

I work in a n a small convenience type store, not a large superstore. I understand a weekly shop will take considerably longer.

But being in the store for 10-15 mins and buying 1-2 items is when the issues begin to arise.

I did not intend to be patronising so apologise if it came across this way. But there can be elderly customers waiting in the rain and it is not fair.

Obviously it would be nice to be leisurely and browse, but it's not possible in these circumstances.

Why are you focusing on changing the behaviour of those shopping, and not those giving you abuse?

@QueenofLean

To be honest I think the focus should be on stopping people abusing staff for having to wait, not stopping people take a reasonable amount of time to do their shopping.

This! People should be able to browse. 10-15 minutes isn't exactly a long time. However, people should never abuse staff members. But let's pull these people up for their unreasonable behaviour instead of criticising others shopping habits.

Let's be honest, the kind who would be rude and abusive would only find something else to be rude and abusive about if they didn't have to wait.

Are people still queuing outside supermarkets?

But there can be elderly customers waiting in the rain and it is not fair.

Elderly people often shop pretty slowly. Are you going to go behind them chivvying then along?

But there can be elderly customers waiting in the rain and it is not fair

My elderly grandmother takes a long time to shop. She has reduced mobility and struggles to read the packets.

I was in and out in 4 minutes today for two meals.

I had to pick up some dog food yesterday and our local retail park was rammed. There was a queue to get into the range and b&m. I had planned on going in but no way am I going to stand in the rain. I did wonder what will happen as we gear up for Xmas shopping.

Being stood behind a checkout knowing there is a queue, whilst not serving anyone, on a daily basis does take its toll.

I'd love to let more people in and not be stood around doing nothing, but it's simply not possible.

I didn't think I was being unreasonable but willing to be proved wrong. If you are genuinely checking labels for allergens etc that's more than fair. But repeatedly seeing customers buy 1 chocolate bar or 1 pint of milk after a lot no time in store gets frustrating.

I know I wouldn't want to be in a cold queue outside.

Yes I will be mindfull of other customers whenever I see any that a queue is building up, and shop as fast as I can.
Thanks goodness there are no queues around here at the moment! I hated that time. I will pray that they do not happen again.
And well done to all shop staff who have been keeping things rolling all throughout!

No one working with the public deserves to be treated like shit.

@Stellaris22

Being stood behind a checkout knowing there is a queue, whilst not serving anyone, on a daily basis does take its toll.

I'd love to let more people in and not be stood around doing nothing, but it's simply not possible.

I didn't think I was being unreasonable but willing to be proved wrong. If you are genuinely checking labels for allergens etc that's more than fair. But repeatedly seeing customers buy 1 chocolate bar or 1 pint of milk after a lot no time in store gets frustrating.

I know I wouldn't want to be in a cold queue outside.

So again, you’re blaming those shopping rather than those abusing you?

this is what happened once the non essential stores opened....people now think shopping is 'normal' so get upset because they want to browse, try on items and take their time.

nobody wants to queue and mask wearing is just to get in store, then they become chin hammocks

@Stellaris22 sorry the impertinent abuse you’re getting here is likely mirroring the abuse you may receive at work. I think posters’ reactions speak volumes as to how lowly people regard supermarket staff and other essential workers. Really selfish. I hope your managers can find a way to make the environment safer for you and your coworkers.

I think posters’ reactions speak volumes as to how lowly people regard supermarket staff and other essential workers.

What a load of nonsense. People are annoyed the op is telling shoppers doing absolutely nothing wrong to change their behaviour instead of the ones hurling abuse at her. That’s the problem here.

You are not unreasonable to not want to be abused, of course not. You need to be speaking to your manager about how they are dealing with this and protecting you.
Honestly going in a shop is such a fucking ball ache at the moment that I just don’t bother. There is nothing I can’t get online. I imagine as it gets colder and queues potentially get bigger more people will start doing the same, so that will help to reduce footfall in shops.

@JingsMahBucket thank you!

I’ve actually found that it’s the staff who are rude now. It’s like they’re pissed off that you’re shopping there, even though the shop is open and you’re following the guidelines.

I think posters’ reactions speak volumes as to how lowly people regard supermarket staff and other essential workers

Rubbish. No one has said that the abuse of retail staff is acceptable. On the contrary, that is what the management should be focusing on tackling.

The funny thing is I was simply posting this in an effort to prevent customers from queueing in the rain and cold. I know it can't be pleasant.

And taking 10 mins to buy 1-2 items is too long (during a pandemic). We pride ourselves on good relationships with regular (and new) customers in our store.

@TheSeedsOfADream

Are you on Supermarket Sweep or something? 10-15 minutes I'm still in the fruit and veg.

In a local version of the supermarket

No wonder the OP's shop has a problem with dawdling. Maybe it could be tackled by some polite signage reminding customers to be as quick as they reasonably can. I'd be a bit annoyed to be standing outside if I could see that no one was actually going through the checkouts.