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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:
Thread gallery
7
CaveMum · 13/01/2021 12:48

There was a local story during the first lockdown of a woman accosted by a member of staff in Boots after she tried to buy some concealer. the staff member told her that it was not essential and that she could not buy it.

The woman concerned was a senior consultant at the local hospital working all the hours god sent and thought it might look a bit more professional when conducting video calls with patients not to have humungous bags under her eyes.

What is essential for one person may not seem essential to another, but we all have our own needs.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/01/2021 12:49

"I don't drink so alcohol isn't essential to me, but imagine the uproar if they closed the wine aisle!!"

They banned alcohol in South Africa in their fist lockdown didn't they?

HSHorror · 13/01/2021 12:51

So you have no hob to heat it or a microwave?

TheGreatWave · 13/01/2021 12:51

I went to some shops at the weekend with the sole purpose of buying some pants. I avoided Tesco but went into the smaller shops.

Just a pack of pants? They were actually for MIL who is currently in hospital, has lost weight and her current ones are all too big. I think an 89 year old woman deserves pants that fit.

RetailGail · 13/01/2021 12:52

@CaveMum

There was a local story during the first lockdown of a woman accosted by a member of staff in Boots after she tried to buy some concealer. the staff member told her that it was not essential and that she could not buy it.

The woman concerned was a senior consultant at the local hospital working all the hours god sent and thought it might look a bit more professional when conducting video calls with patients not to have humungous bags under her eyes.

What is essential for one person may not seem essential to another, but we all have our own needs.

weren't make up items all closed off?
WankPuffins · 13/01/2021 12:52

We're 8 pages in - haven't RTFT but has anyone asked why you aren't breastfeeding yet? Wink

Seriously. I had that last year on a thread talking about 24 hour supermarkets not opening. I suggested the time that I needed one when I was making a night feed and the kettle blew up in my hand, and Dh was able to run out and get another, so 24 hr openings are handy.

And some knob asked me why I was formula feeding in the first place.

FreekStar · 13/01/2021 12:52

You got hot water from a neighbour? Don't you have a pan and a stove?

LucilleTheVampireBat · 13/01/2021 12:56

So you have no hob to heat it or a microwave?

Woop woop, it's the sound of the (kettle) police.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/01/2021 12:58

@CaveMum

There was a local story during the first lockdown of a woman accosted by a member of staff in Boots after she tried to buy some concealer. the staff member told her that it was not essential and that she could not buy it.

The woman concerned was a senior consultant at the local hospital working all the hours god sent and thought it might look a bit more professional when conducting video calls with patients not to have humungous bags under her eyes.

What is essential for one person may not seem essential to another, but we all have our own needs.

I don't think that's really fair. Why does a senior consultant at a hospital get access to makeup when anyone else who has shadows under their eyes doesn't?
TyroTerf · 13/01/2021 12:58

Whether a kettle is essential is beside the point. He was bloody rude!

You're allowed to peer at other people's shopping and you're allowed to judge the hell out of it, but disgruntled muttering may only take place when you're damned sure the target is out of earshot.

Gwenhwyfar · 13/01/2021 12:58

@LucilleTheVampireBat

So you have no hob to heat it or a microwave?

Woop woop, it's the sound of the (kettle) police.

It's a valid question for the time she had to ask the neighbour isn't it? Not ideal as it's harder to pour out, but it's a temporary solution.
WankPuffins · 13/01/2021 12:59

Don't you have a pit in the garden and two sticks to run together to make fire?

Kettle indeed.

FanFckingTastic · 13/01/2021 12:59

What is essential for one person is non-essential for another. As a bystander it's impossible to know what the purpose of a purchase is, and therefore whether it warrants a trip out. What annoys me most is the passive-aggressive mumblers. If it were me I'd have to call them out - if you want to make a comment then make it loud enough so that I can hear it properly. Also, expect that I'll respond to you, and quite possible tell you to boil your head I can't stand people that mutter under their breath and then act all surprised when they are confronted.

LucilleTheVampireBat · 13/01/2021 13:01

No, it certainly isn't a valid question! Someone questioning another person over them buying a kettle? Give over.

I honestly wonder what some of you are going to do with your time when this is all over. You'll be climbing the walls looking for people to report!

Orlania · 13/01/2021 13:06

Meh, you should be breastfeeding on demand then you wouldn't need a kettle.

BogRollBOGOF · 13/01/2021 13:07

I do hearby decree that tea and coffee are non-essential for I can not abide the taste and have managed happily refusing such revolting beverages for the best part of 40 years.
I realise I'm a bit of an anomally. Grin

And this is the problem. Different people have different needs, so it's pointless to judge. The shops are legally open. They need customers to survive. Goodness knows enough retailers haven't survived this!

The poster judging about people buying DIY items; they're not things that people buy for the sheer hedonism of it. Homes need maintaining. Trade is probably up while more people are largely stuck in them or have additional time to do the work, plus the usual time sensitive emergency jobs that need doing. More families will be out because parents have a legal responsibility to supervise their children and there are few alternatives avaliable.

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 13/01/2021 13:09

@WankPuffins

I agree that a kettle is essential, and a lot easier to use than other methods but if yours blew up in the middle of the night, why the hell did you send your husband out to a 24 hour supermarket when you could have taken a pot out the cupboard and boiled in a few minutes on the hob? There was no need for your husband to run out in the middle of the night.

Crocky · 13/01/2021 13:10

After reading all 9 pages of this the only thing I want to know is how @Springersrock discovered her pony likes peppermint tea. I have an image of you standing there patiently holding a cup while the pony sups her brew. It’s the small things that cheer me up these days 😆

peak2021 · 13/01/2021 13:11

Good job you don't work for Waitrose given what they describe as 'essential'!

I'm with those who do not think something other than medical attention does not require the 'essential' thing to be able to be accessed 24/7.

PicsInRed · 13/01/2021 13:11

@LucilleTheVampireBat

So you have no hob to heat it or a microwave?

Woop woop, it's the sound of the (kettle) police.

Grin
nicknamehelp · 13/01/2021 13:14

1st lock down my dd was having strong chemo which really screwed up her taste buds and all she wanted was tangfantstic sweets. I got comments buying a load of them! quickly put them in her place! Docs didn't care what she ate just that calories were going in.

ItCouldBeBunnies · 13/01/2021 13:15

Kettles are essential. I can get through a lot if I have easy access to a cup of tea.

I'm going out for strawberries later. My 8yo has a limited diet. Berries are currently acceptable. I can't buy a week's worth of soft fruit for her as it'll go off and she inspects every single piece before she eats it. I do one big shop a week and one small top up. Idgaf a someone in the queue thinks my strawberries and blueberries and non-essential, I'm trying to keep my child healthy. It's still fewer trips than I'd usually do.

Popsy321 · 13/01/2021 13:16

They're basically bullies. If you were a 6'4 hulk with tattoos on your forehead, you can bet your bottom dollar that no one would say a word to you.

LaurieFairyCake · 13/01/2021 13:16

Oh ffs - it's just easier to say:

  • 'essentials' were different in 1920
  • we're NOT IN 1920 now (essentials are different)

I would NEED a kettle, I would NEED wi-fi, I would NEED bras, I would NEED paracetamol

Who gives a fuck if I'm some sort of modern snowflake Hmm - I still actually NEED them if I'm me

If you're fortunate enough to have your own well, satellite phone, no tits and no headache - good for you Grin

MotherExtraordinaire · 13/01/2021 13:17

@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

Needed hot water from a good neighbour? Really?!

Could you not simply boil on the hob or in the microwave?

There most definitely were alternatives to an additional shopping trip. You could have waited and coincided with a normal planned weekly shop.