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Original poster

Finally supermarkets are being stricter!

201 replies

Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 15:01

Re the Shop Alone rule.
It felt safer shopping in-store yesterday.
They should have toughened up earlier but st least they are now!

OP posts:
TonMoulin · 22/01/2021 16:59

@ilovesooty, the societal responsibility starts with having the right rules pout in place.
It shoudnt be up to the people to decide what should and shouldnt happen. Nor should it be up to the individual to decide what is and isn't important.

YOu seem to think that shopping in pair is the height of being dangerous and antisocial. That this is the ONE thing that is the caise of all our issues.
I'd say this is a belief and NOT based on science.
If you want change, use the 80/20 rule and tackle what is cauing the most increase in infection. This is NOT shopping by pairs.

ThelmaNotLouise · 22/01/2021 17:02

@TheGreatWave

Well as long as you are good with it. My Mum's world is now that little bit smaller after being shouted at for being with my Dad.

I know it is pointless saying anything like that on here as no one really cares about others and their struggles, all that matters is them and how safe they feel.

I'm sorry your poor parents got shouted at. I'm just back from our local Sainsbury's and the only people in pairs were elderly couples who clearly needed each other for mobility support or to carry stuff, plus single parents and their children. I'm all for being safe and keeping to the rules, but it's not fair to insist these groups shop alone.
ilovesooty · 22/01/2021 17:02

@TonMoulin please try going back and reading what I actually wrote. I really would appreciate it if I am going to consider replying in any meaningful way.

PoppiesinOctober · 22/01/2021 17:04

@Littlefluffyclouds13

I'm taking my 20 yr old dd with me every time. Guess what? She's had covid in October and in the period since then, has developed acute anxiety and is currently medicated and living at home instead of living the life she should be at uni.

Op, I bloody can't wait to win the argument when you start on me in the supermarket or are you more of a keyboard 'warrior' and only keen to share your shit hidden away?

Of course they're keyboard warriors Grin

All the 'fumingggg' people simply just mutter under their breath, and then come to MN to make a thread about it.

I'm glad you take your daughter with you.

FluffyMcWuffy · 22/01/2021 17:05

My local sainsburys has a queue of people waiting outside for their other halves. They are being very strict and asking all couples and families if its absolutely necessary for them to shop together. It's all very orderly, no one being shouted at and i don't think anyone made to feel guilty if they are not on their own. In fact some of the guys looked quite content to be waiting outside!!!! We all have a role to play in this ghastly pandemic.

Taylrse · 22/01/2021 17:05

I like going shopping with dp purely because it's easier and less stressful. I have no other reason.

However what annoys me is how different shops have different rules, even from county to county. It's hard to keep up with it. Asda so far has let couples in and so has Lidl.
Sainsbury's hasn't been letting couples in and sometimes Tesco will and sometimes it won't!

Then when I visited my mum (support bubble) 3 hours away, again each shop did something different to what I was used to in my county.

TonMoulin · 22/01/2021 17:06

@Pumpertrumper

Confused Not sure why people are trying to ‘shame’ others for prioritising their safety over other people’s right to pop to the shops with company. of course safety outweighs ‘but my mum wants to go to the supermarket too’ Jesus what absolute numpties this pandemic has unearthed

Kids too young to be left home alone obviously shouldn’t count, neither should those with an actual disability or exemption. But yes anyone wanting to put others in an extra bit of danger should have to be willing to explain why!

I was fuming in Asda the other day at all the bloody families shopping together. Fwiw I’m pregnant and struggling with my leg/back currently having physio. Shopping is hard and often painful but If I want to go instead of sending DH (useless at food shopping) then I accept I have to manage alone as the world doesn’t revolve around me and I don’t have the right to endanger others!

I'm sorry biut you might a bit of pain atm but you have no idea what it means to live with disability on a daily basis or to be in pain for years. Or to have your life restricted to 'going to the shop' for years (aka you've actually lived your life as if in lockdown for years before it was a thing). Or to have had to 'explain' why you cant do this and that on a regular bais and for people to not believ you (which is more or less what @ilovesooty is hinting at).

So yes it night feel easy to you 'to just explain' and 'its the least you can do'. After all your issue is temporary. You know you will get better and you wont have to explain yourself for months and months. But for many people, its NOT.

ginghamstarfish · 22/01/2021 17:10

The problem is, as with many other things such as mask wearing etc, is that when no-one is allowed to challenge or ask people breaking the rules for fear of 'offending' them (see many threads on here). Yes, a few might have valid reasons for not shopping alone, but unfortunately this means all the selfish twats know that they won't get questioned, so carry on taking the whole family with them.

ilovesooty · 22/01/2021 17:11

@TonMoulin i am not hinting at anything. If you are not taking on board it is very difficult to debate constructively with you. Have a pleasant evening.

Pumpertrumper · 22/01/2021 17:37

*I'm sorry biut you might a bit of pain atm but you have no idea what it means to live with disability on a daily basis or to be in pain for years. Or to have your life restricted to 'going to the shop' for years (aka you've actually lived your life as if in lockdown for years before it was a thing).
Or to have had to 'explain' why you cant do this and that on a regular bais and for people to not believ you (which is more or less what @ilovesooty is hinting at).

So yes it night feel easy to you 'to just explain' and 'its the least you can do'. After all your issue is temporary. You know you will get better and you wont have to explain yourself for months and months. But for many people, its NOT*

I take your point about my exact situation however my sibling is disabled and it’s a hidden disability (whilst fully dressed) they’ve had their whole life.

They’re open about not understanding why people are so reluctant to ‘just explain’. They quite frequently speak passionately about how creating a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ society is actually really shit because ‘it gives a load of entitled idiots the ability to take advantage’ and just results in a society who ‘are silently resentful and judgmental anyway so what’s the point?’.
There is no way to stop entitled idiots taking advantage, there is no way to stop people being resentful of this. In my siblings opinion it would be much better to simply find a way to quietly identify those who have actual disabilities (like the sunflower lanyard scheme) so that society can extend them the understanding and sensitivity they deserve.

My sibling would rather explain to a staff member on the door at the supermarket; then get to walk around the store feeling less judged and safer because their aren’t 5 thousand families all shopping together. In his opinion other disabled people who just don’t want to explain are being selfish.

My point is... I know for a fact you’re not speaking for all disabled people or representing how they feel.

Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 18:53

Tesco...and I quote:

Please shop alone UNLESS you’re a carer or with children.

What's so hard to understand?

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 19:04

@WTAFIhavelosttheferret
I tried to apply but they were inundated by applications for the post of "I enjoy taking my whole family / partner shopping with me simply because I want to".
That in fact makes them more superior. They don't care about anyone else.

OP posts:
PoppiesinOctober · 22/01/2021 19:05

@Nicknamegoeshere

Tesco...and I quote:

Please shop alone UNLESS you’re a carer or with children.

What's so hard to understand?

Clearly not implemented at my Tesco. They don't even have anyone manning the doors.
Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 19:07

@PoppiesinOctober They have just started at mine. So much better now that most people are shopping alone and not in big families etc

OP posts:
wanderings · 22/01/2021 19:23

I wonder how easily the vacancies for covid marshals are filled? It sounds like many Mumsnetters would be delighted to do the job, maybe even for free. Just remember not to stand too close to your fellow marshals, or you'll be all over social media.

Finally supermarkets are being stricter!
Timbucktime · 22/01/2021 19:25

@WTAFIhavelosttheferret

You are in the wrong place

I believe that you can apply for a job via Guardian Jobs for either

  1. The Covid Police
  2. Trainee Divine Being Status. This is an apprenticeship that recognises your total superiority to all other humans. You get to be a deity of your choosing on graduation.
😂😂
LolaSmiles · 22/01/2021 19:27

Some people NEED to shop in pairs, I think an elderly couple should be included in that. Some people NEED a carer with them and single parents NEED to take their children.

Big difference between these situations and taking the whole family because they WANT a day/trip out or WANT to accompany a neurotypical spouse/partner that apparently can't be trusted to read a list properly
This.
I've always thought this principle was fairly obvious, but alas some people like to pretend the second group don't exist.

Whilst you can't look at a couple and know their circumstances, how hard is it for people to take a bit of personal responsibility, engage a brain cell and think "do I NEED to shop with someone?" and act accordingly.

Original poster
Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 19:27

Nope, I just happen to care about other people and recognise that reducing the spread of what can potentially be a deadly virus is more important that choosing the nicest grapes with the aid of my entire family.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 22/01/2021 19:28

Oooh this again.

ilovesooty · 22/01/2021 19:29

@LolaSmiles

Some people NEED to shop in pairs, I think an elderly couple should be included in that. Some people NEED a carer with them and single parents NEED to take their children.

Big difference between these situations and taking the whole family because they WANT a day/trip out or WANT to accompany a neurotypical spouse/partner that apparently can't be trusted to read a list properly
This.
I've always thought this principle was fairly obvious, but alas some people like to pretend the second group don't exist.

Whilst you can't look at a couple and know their circumstances, how hard is it for people to take a bit of personal responsibility, engage a brain cell and think "do I NEED to shop with someone?" and act accordingly.

Well said. Perhaps people will understand your point, which is the point I was trying to make. We can only hope.
donewithitalltodayandxmas · 22/01/2021 19:33

Yes some need to shop together bit there is also a vast majority who just want to.
I had click and collect at asda today , multiple couples and families and shop was busy.
Its not even hard to get a click and collect slot in our asda so that would be option for many of them who genuinely need.
The roads etc were also jammed pack , I can really see stricter rules coming of numbers don't continue to fall at a fast rate.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 22/01/2021 19:37

@TonMoulin uk deaths are not worst per capita , bad but not worst as you state.
Yes people not isolating is also a problem , lots of things are, if one person who doesn't need to be in a shop goes and passes it , it keeps spreading.
Plus maybe some of those in their are also ones not isolating?
Supermarket workers can't all afford time off either , and been a few outbreaks near me in staff in supermarkets.
We all need to do our bit , one measure alone doesn't work , it takes following multiple measures.
You say about worst death rate, other countries people stick to rules and they had stricter lockdowns

WorriedMillie · 22/01/2021 19:39

The cashier I was chatting to in Tesco last week said that their store was being lenient towards older people shopping in couples. My great uncle, for example needs to take my great aunt with him, as she can’t be left alone (Alzheimer’s)

OrangeBananaFish · 22/01/2021 19:41

I've been wondering this for a while now (nearly a year in fact) what is better? One person going 3 or 4 times a week (WFH so not leaving the house for any other reason) or a couple going once a week (large family with 2 teenagers as DCs so a big trolley and so need one to keep filling the till while the other packs)? Genuine question cos I'd really like to know.

Justa47 · 22/01/2021 19:42

@Nicknamegoeshere

Sainsbury’s chradle yesterday.
Two people at door who were employees to do a job. Did not remind a single person to do hands and clean trolleys.

I watched for 30 mins and no one did it.

So no not stricter. Hopeless