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

[HoppingOnSteppingStones]

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

Honestly, I have no time for this sort of bullshit.

You (generic you) buy what you feel is essential. Let other people buy what they consider essential. Be that a single packet of crisps at 10pm, be that a bottle of wine and a mars bar.

I long for the days when people go back to minding their own fucking business about the contents of my trolley.

Most people only buy a new kettle because they don't have one at all or they have a really old/broken one. It's not really up there with frivolous purchases, is it?

What a knob. Ignore.

There's nothing that says you can't buy "non-essentials".

There is a list of shops that are allowed to open as the government considers them to be essential.

If they are open, you can go there and buy anything.

All the goldplating of laws and guidance that goes on really annoys me.

I’d have turned around and said ‘sorry what did you say? Couldn’t hear because you were purposely mumbling under your breath!” And then I’d have politely told him to fuck off, behind my mask obviously.

Everyone’s idea of essential is different

But it’s us retail staff who are at risk ( I know I know, nobody really cares)

Whole families out for a pot of paint

If questioned I’m sure they would say it’s essential for their mental health. And essential it’s the right shade

I long for the days when people go back to minding their own fucking business about the contents of my trolley

I've had people comment way before covid. I buy too many tomatoes, apparently.

At least horses are a decent size and have personality- I have just made an essential trip to the pet shop because ds2 ran out of food for his minnows.
He’s devoted to them and obviously one has a responsibility to any living creatures in one’s care but I can’t help thinking, I am increasing the chances of spreading Covid for MINNOWS?

Non essential to many of the moaners is defined as "anything which I personally have no interest in buying".

One of the things I have found most depressing during the whole pandemic is the stupidity of so much of the population, who amongst many other things want to scream about people buying 'non essential' items in shops, as if popping into Sainsbury's for a kettle, or buying a duvet or a lipstick alongside their food shopping makes them some kind of super-spreader. Seriously I wish they would just all fuck the fuck off. It's pathetic. How sad must people be to give a fuck what others are buying when it has no bearing on them whatsoever.

Sick of the nasty, judgemental, self righteous people on here and IRL. I nearly started a thread the other day entitled 'selfish selfish selfish' as I think that work is so massively underused and in danger of disappearing from the English language!

From being on Mumsnet I have learned that non-essential is anything that the poster doesn't personally need or want at the time.

There seem to be a lot of people who appear to be incapable of conceiving that other people's lives, needs, abilities, priorities and circumstances are different from their own.

We encourage our children to think about things for themselves, and we try to help them develop thinking skills to make good decisions. When other people express a different point of view, we can help children see the value of considering these alternatives and so either be persuaded by them OR if they still think they made the right decision, to stick with it.
If we were using your experience as an opportunity to help a child develop their thinking skills, we could help them see that the decision to buy a kettle was clearly not taken lightly and even though the gentleman showed his displeasure, it was still a good decision and so worth acting on.
Enjoy the many cuppas!
.

We have dental check ups. We are planning to go, but have thought hard about whether they're essential.

Good grief. Of course that's essential. Go and don't think twice about it. If the dentist is open and offering check ups then go.

It's not up to random men in a shop to decide whether a kettle is essential nor should people be in a quandry about whether to go for a dental check up. If the place is opening and offering the service/selling the goods in question then they are presumably permitted to do this, therefore you can use/buy the thing without a second thought.

The idea ‘ if they are open you can buy anything’ ... fabulous

Yesterday, a standard Tuesday.... we had 2,204 individuals through our doors ... just because we were open

How is this fair on staff? Off the shopfloor staff are a bit of a mess. Have done so many mental health action plans the last few months. Bottom line is the staff have to work directly with the public

There’s no personal responsibility is there? People are bored so come out ( large chain diy)

I dont want to live in a world where clothes arent essential in January! FFS why cant people mind their own business

OP It Is Essential, So Are Clothes

And Food + Medicine + Toiletries

I can't believe there are really people who look at what other people are buying, who cares and has time for that?

Me.

I often look at the person's shopping in front of mine and think "COFFEE MATCHMAKERS!* Where did she find coffee matchmakers? Bugger! I want coffee matchmakers!"

*Random example - it can be any delightful treat

The couple in front of me at the checkout in their early twenties who had two bottles of gin and a single bottle of lemonade in their trolley.

I judged not what they bought (I'm not going to criticise drinking in lockdown, there are definite moment that indulgence is necessary for sanity) however I was judging them for the fact that it took 2 of them to buy it!

I was one of the few people shopping alone, although I understand that's not always possible there were lots of whole families shopping when clearly one parent could have stayed at home with the kids. It might not have been fun but it could have been done.

I didn't say anything but I do despair
Intake of new Covid patients increased by 1/3 in DHs hospital yesterday - that is a ridiculous amount and he and his colleagues are understandably worried.

@StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind. "Selfish" is the most overused word of this year, imo. It has been applied to buying milk, sending one's children to school or nursery, quitting one's essential job to take care of said children since they are not going to school or nursery, going to the supermarket and also having shopping delivered (and therefore taking delivery slots from vulnerable people). Being obese is 'selfish' because of the pressure on the NHS but so is exercising.

Is it "selfish" to hope that the kettles of all those calling others selfish break so they have to choose between the purgatory of life without hot drinks or the guilt of a selfish non-essential trip to the supermarket?

For clarification that was all the couple had in their trolley - 3 items

I think its more about limiting going out so people going just to browse when they don't need a thing , yes they may pick up something when there and think I like that , but had no intention of getting it.
Going to get a kettle because yours has gone bang - fair enough.
The only thing I will say is I have seeN many on here say why did we not have a lockdown like y,z etc but then when things like those countries are suggested they go thats nit acceptable etc etc. You can't have it both ways.

I feel like this eejit opening his mouth to express a silly opinion was non essential, given that COVID is spread in that fashion.

I think it fine to buy a kettle - in a world where you are still allowed to buy tea and cake. The lockdown is not complete (yet).

However - you do know that it is ok to boil water in a pan? No need to worry too much if faced with kettle failure at night :)

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

At least horses are a decent size and have personality- I have just made an essential trip to the pet shop because ds2 ran out of food for his minnows. He’s devoted to them and obviously one has a responsibility to any living creatures in one’s care but I can’t help thinking, I am increasing the chances of spreading Covid for MINNOWS?

Shameful behaviour!!!

Do you not have a compost heap?* Open it up and extract a few worms. Stick them in the blender (or smoothie maker) and reduce them to tiny mouthfuls to feed to your fish. These nutritive annelids are healthy and delicious, and will stop your wanton plague-spreading!

*No compost heap? - lever up a paving flag in the front street - there will be worms under there. Failing world, grab a few woodlice. These common crustaceans will provide a healthy addition to ant fishes' diet, and can also be added to soup (probably )

NOTE: lighthearted post!

*Failing worms, not failing world