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Original poster

Would this be too sad?

75 replies

Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 11:33

Hi

I am trying to cut back on car use.

I am trying to do smaller, more regular shopping trips by walking to the supermarket but this isn't easy as we are a family of 4 and the shopping is too heavy for me.

Would it be too sad to buy a shopping trolley?

Are they exclusively for small ladies over 80 years of age, wearing woolly hats and heavy coats even in 90 degrees?

Should I be shot for even thinking it????

OP posts:
potplant · 09/02/2011 12:49

They are a bit old ladyish round here.

But if its saves on you breaking your back with the shopping and embarrases your teens then its worth it!

GrimmaTheNome · 09/02/2011 12:55

If you cycle anyway ... I used to do my shopping by bike with a couple of big panniers and a bag bungeed to the rack. I'd have thought you could carry at least as much as a shopping trolley that way.

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 13:32

Good point Grimma.

But can you get 6 pinters of milk and big bags of potatos etc in panniers?

At least on my bike I'd be home quick before too many people saw me!

OP posts:
notcitrus · 09/02/2011 13:59

Shopping trolleys are ace. Get a study one with a fat handle - mine's from Robert Dyas and is light blue plastic which isn't the most fetching but I got it just before they started selling fancy ones. If you stack right you can get a whole supermarket trolley load in it (small trolley, obv!)

When it dies I want the black patent one with pink polka dots that a nearby tat shop sells, but I suspect it'll live forever.

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 14:02

notcitrus - do you feel a prat with your trolley? Do others in your area use them?

OP posts:
Wordsonascreen · 09/02/2011 14:05

I have been known to use my ds's cricket bag (on wheels and ginormous)

Wordsonascreen · 09/02/2011 14:05

I take out the pads/helmet and bat first though.

PaisleyLeaf · 09/02/2011 14:08

Well the consensus here is that they're okay.
Now go and see what they say in Style &Beauty Grin

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 14:10

Ha ha Words!

My DS is a cricketer. Yes those bags are enormous. DS is a wicket-keeper so we have all the batting stuff AND all the wicket-keeping stuff.

Where I live the helmet, pads and bat are probably a good idea for self-defence!

OP posts:
lostinwales · 09/02/2011 14:15

I'm going to lurk this thread and see if anyone breaks cover and goes for it. I have v severe degeneration of my thoracic spine and since we stopped using a pushchair I've been hankering after a nice trolley but have been to shy to get one. Problem is around here we're normally about 20 years behind fashion anyway, so by the time you lot have made them cool I'll be an old lady anyway!

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 14:18

Feel free to lurk, lostinwales.

I'm afraid I'm not brave enough yet.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 09/02/2011 14:35

Depends on the panniers - I had Karrimor ones which didn't waste space with lots of extraneous little pockets, and had straps rather than zips so they were quite expandable. I dont think I ever tried a big bag of spuds but I could do a weekly shop for 2 that way.

Of course if you want to do really big shops without a car you'd aquire a bike trailer! Grin

schroeder · 09/02/2011 14:46

Ah Grimma beat me to it, was gonna suggest a bike trailer.

I've got a trolley a lovely red one, i've had it about 3 years. I felt really self conscious to start with, but now I see them everywhere. Plus they are brilliant for lugging 3 for £10 wine homeGrin

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 14:55

Breaking news!!!

A friend has just told me that Gok Wan has been known to shop with a shopping trolley. She is looking for photos for me.

OP posts:
RobynLou · 09/02/2011 14:59

told you - all stylists have one Grin

RobynLou · 09/02/2011 15:02

if you can get hold of one that has a metal bar between the wheels rather than a plastic one, they're much stronger btw, I trashed many plastic ones before getting a metal version.

Katiepoes · 09/02/2011 15:33

No go and get one they are the business! My OH won't have anything to do with me when I have it but trust me, I live in Holland and all my friends have them. It's virtually impossible to park near the city supermarkets in Amsterdam so we all use the trolleys.

You see all sorts, mine is a basic one but people here dress them up with stickers, flowers, you name it.

notcitrus · 09/02/2011 16:17

I live in crowded south London where the buses are crammed with (ok, mainly old) people and shopping trollies, and no-one cares.
Did have one friend refuse to take it to Sainsburys to buy drink for a party (2 min walk away), as the 'powder-blue offends my manliness'.

He then had to carry the really heavy bags and get complained at for not buying enough. :)

But then I figure any amount of staring would be better than having to shove ds into the car and get stuck in traffic - it's 5 times slower to drive to the supermarket!

peachybums · 09/02/2011 19:43

Omg ive been using the car for ages and hating myself for it but the supermarket is just too far away to carry heavy bags back. I never thought about getting one of those trollies!! Thanks mums!! My nan used to call them bag-on-wheels when i was a child. Oh id def get one of those, so retro! even if DP takes the piss

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 20:45

Katiepoes - you live in a more enlightened place.

I live in a dull town with people who avoid eye contact and sneer at anything even slightly outside the norm.

I am originally from London where, of course, anything and everything is accepted. Here it is not.

I just wish I had the balls to stride out one day with a nice polka dot trolley and stick a finger up to the dullards around here.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 09/02/2011 20:49

I still make DS go to the shops in his pushchair even though he is capable of walking, so I have something to put the shopping in. I will get a shopping trolley when he gets fed up!

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 20:53

Can't put my teens in a pushchair - that would, indeed, be too sad.

OP posts:
shodatin · 09/02/2011 21:24

We always kept one on the boat for shopping - any marinas your way? It never occurred to me that I might look like an old lady! They are also useful for transporting small dogs by the way...

Original poster
Ooopsadaisy · 09/02/2011 21:27

No marinas - just a dirty old river full of condoms and beer cans.

I also don't have a small dog.

Nice try.

OP posts:
TitsalinaBumSquash · 10/02/2011 08:22

Domn you Ooopsadaisy, I went on ebay browsing for nice ones for you and I ma have brought one for myself Blush Wink