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Original poster

So all the 'non essential moaners' what do you class as non essential

477 replies

HoppingOnSteppingStones · 13/01/2021 09:42

Because I've just been to tesco and brought a kettle. I've just had a bloke when I was stood in front to pay. Mumble about an 'essential kettle'

Did he know why I had to buy it. Did he plums!
It's not so I can go home and have a relaxing cuppa. Its so I can make formula for my baby. Because last night our kettle went bang!
We had to get hot water off the neighbour for this mornings bottle so I could then run to grab one.

What's essential to some isn't to others.

Yes I think there's prob a fine line but I wish people wouldn't judge

OP posts:
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7
WhenPidgeonsCry · 13/01/2021 13:37

@mistletoeandsigh

I haven't seen or heard any muttering in the queues, where the hell is that happening? Everyone is just buying their stuff. I haven't thought to look in other people's baskets Confused
Glad somebody said this because I was going to ask if this is a UK thing or just a Mumsnet thing (presumably it's the latter).

I don't live in the UK but I haven't seen or heard anyone judging people over what they buy or when, nor has anyone complained about it to me.

Orlania · 13/01/2021 13:38

Op do you have a pan, mug, hob or microwave? If so you were very naughty to bother the neighbour and put them at risk. I hope the hand over was socially distanced

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 13/01/2021 13:38

@WhereverIGoddamnLike ffs so bloody what. Did that make you feel more superior pointing that out when you don't know me or know if english is my first language or I am dyslexic etc ,

MimiDaisy11 · 13/01/2021 13:39

Most people don't just go in for "essentials". You could live off a very basic diet which would only require you to go down a few aisles. People are still buying all the food they want so getting angry at a kettle purchase or really any purchase is silly. If the shop is open people will buy. I think it's really government policy we should focus on and not getting on at individuals for doing things within the law.

puffinkoala · 13/01/2021 13:41

Also we need people to buy things where they can, to keep some semblance of an economy going.

unmarkedbythat · 13/01/2021 13:45

Anyone living anything other than a subsistence existence, eating any food or drinking any liquid other than the minimum necessary for nutrition, wearing any item other than the minimum necessary for appropriate coverage, engaging in any hygiene practice other than the minimum necessary to sustain life reasonably safely, etc, is engaging in a non essential use of resources and should shut the fuck up judging others for buying kettles.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 13/01/2021 13:45

I think many may be in for a shock when rules get tightened aa being discussed.
When you go in foe your weekly shop no one cares what you put in your trolley , your in there anyway.
If you need a kettle/ coat fine go and get one
But some are visiting several shops daily to browse , that increases the risk for all , including shop workers.
And guidelines are only go out for specific reasons , can people not see if people take the piss this could then change to law. Why do people need to go to a shop every day or take the whole family . All little things you can change to help.
No point shouting at non mask wearers if you shop everyday.

HOS8595 · 13/01/2021 13:46

According to the covid angels pretty much everything is non essential. Fucking idiots they are.

IcedPurple · 13/01/2021 13:48

But some are visiting several shops daily to browse

The only way you could possibly know that is if you're following these criminal browsers around from shop to shop and monitoring their non-essential browsing habits.

Get a life.

Nonamesavail · 13/01/2021 13:50

I went to the corner shop for a bottle of coke. Non essential I guess.

HOS8595 · 13/01/2021 13:50

@IcedPurple

But some are visiting several shops daily to browse

The only way you could possibly know that is if you're following these criminal browsers around from shop to shop and monitoring their non-essential browsing habits.

Get a life.

👏🏻
IcedPurple · 13/01/2021 13:51

@unmarkedbythat

Anyone living anything other than a subsistence existence, eating any food or drinking any liquid other than the minimum necessary for nutrition, wearing any item other than the minimum necessary for appropriate coverage, engaging in any hygiene practice other than the minimum necessary to sustain life reasonably safely, etc, is engaging in a non essential use of resources and should shut the fuck up judging others for buying kettles.
Exactly.

If we want to get down to it, everything other than bread, water, a few seasonal vegetables and a bar of soap is 'non-essential'.

I'm willing to bet a great deal of money that every single one of the 'non-essential' smuggers on this thread have tons of 'non-essential' items in their shopping trolley, or have them delivered from Ocado twice weekly.

The shopping basket Stasi became boring last March.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 13/01/2021 13:52

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

My point was that take away coffee from a drive through is not an essential purchase. A matter of opinion of course.

The answer to nosy shopper (because you always think of the 'killer response' to late) would have been. Essential kettle ? No, Russell Hobbs / Swan / supermarket own brand etc (as appropriate) actually. In fact, do you have an essential kettle ? What would you do if your kettle broke. I mean seriously, what are your alternative ways for boiling water ? I need mine to make food for my baby.

Cattasaurus · 13/01/2021 13:53

A kettle is not essential if you have a saucepan and hob

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/01/2021 13:54

During her work with an NGO overseas, a dd saw what was considered ‘essential’ food for a lot of people in a refugee camp, as decreed by IIRC the world food programme, or some such body.
Rice and lentils.
Nothing else, no salt, no onions, no tomatoes or spices.

Perhaps the ‘essential’ moaners should try living on those for a week or two.

Orlania · 13/01/2021 13:55

@WhereverIGoddamnLike ffs so bloody what. Did that make you feel more superior pointing that out when you don't know me or know if english is my first language or I am dyslexic etc

I expect wherever is one of life's born educators. You should be grateful that it is you she has chosen to educate today. Take your newly gifted knowledge and use it wisely.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 13/01/2021 13:57

@GabsAlot

my sisters dental practise is open for anything i personally dont agree with it but theyre tying to make up for their losses i guess
Dentists are more essential than you might think. Oral health is important.

Your dentist isn't just looking for tooth decay and gingivitis - s/he's also keeping an eye out for oral cancers, STDs etc and anything unusual or abnormal in the mouth that might need a doctor to check out. Poor oral hygiene can also cause/exacerbate other heart problems eg heart disease.

It's not just "making up for their losses". They are an essential service.

Nonamesavail · 13/01/2021 13:57

@Cattasaurus

A kettle is not essential if you have a saucepan and hob
But what if you have a disability? You cant judge every item people has. Who has time for that?
Cattasaurus · 13/01/2021 13:59

If we want to get down to it, everything other than bread, water, a few seasonal vegetables and a bar of soap is 'non-essential'.

Indeed that's why i would go back to government delivering 25kg of potatoes bags of carrots and cabbage and some eggs everything else is non essential and can be locked down (maybe increase the vegetables a bit). Two months of zero shopping movement will be nearly back to normal. And all the coke, wine and unhealthy food missed will make. everyone healthier.

Hotcuppatea · 13/01/2021 13:59

I had an argument on Twatter with someone in Wales about this before Christmas when the Welsh government stopped supermarkets selling "non-essential' goods.

I though that babaygros, books and kettles were essential. She didn't and I was a selfish granny murderer for suggesting different. It was clear to me when I challenged her on what was in her shopping basket that she thought that shops should only be selling stuff that was essential to her.

HowToSurvive2021 · 13/01/2021 13:59

@bobbojobbo

Because I've just been to tesco and brought a kettle. I've just had a bloke when I was stood in front to pay. Mumble about an 'essential kettle

Must be an essential kettle to you alright, since you brought it with you to shop in Tesco. Tea break in aisle 7?

Grin
bluecheesefan · 13/01/2021 13:59

I seem to have been fairly lucky so far compared to what some of you have had to put up with.

Tell you what though. Woe betide anybody who tries that crap with me.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 13/01/2021 13:59

A kettle is not essential if you have a saucepan and hob

I can't do this anymore. Bye bye.

PotentPangolin · 13/01/2021 14:00

My kettle broke, I got another from Amazon.
I would not have gone inside a store to get one due to the risk of Covid-19 - now it is finally being admitted by the government/SAGE that supermarkets are a very common place for contracting it.
But I do think a kettle is essential, so if for some reason you can't use Amazon/other online stores (Argos even do same-day/ AO do fast delivery, not sure about kettles) then I guess you need to get one at the supermarket.

Bear in mind that while all the coffee shops, cafes etc are still allowed to open for takeaways, click and collect etc, you are making one journey for a kettle, but are legally allowed to make unlimited journeys to these hospitality businesses to buy as many hot drinks as often as you like. This makes your single trip to buy a kettle very responsible and safe by comparison (obviously I think it is ridiculous that these hospital businesses are allowed to be open, mainly in terms of the safety of their staff and the number of unnecessary journeys involved, including the staff being on public transport in places like London).

Original poster
HoppingOnSteppingStones · 13/01/2021 14:00

Yes I do have a hob but I sure as shit am Not standing over a hot pan waiting forever for it to boil when I have a baby that needs feeding screaming in the small hours or in fact any time of the day then pissing about pouring it into a bottle!

If it was just for a cuppa or whatever then I'd happily go without.

And it didn't bother my neighbour at all. We're very good friends have been for about 18 years.

OP posts: