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Original poster

Supermarket nightmare.....

21 replies

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 19:10

Was in waitrose this pm with dd in the trolley, we had left her trike by the checkouts and I left her with the packer (I said "I'm just going to get that trike, pls keep an eye on dd") and went to get it (about 8 paces away)

I walked back and saw dd in the trolley WITH A PLASTIC CARRIER BAG ON HER HEAD

I ran up to her, just as I got there the customer behind me noticed and screamed at the top of her voice - I ripped it off and yelled at dd and she of course burst into tears

I was so angry with the packer - he had moved the trolley with her in it so that she was right next to the end of the next checkout where there were lots of carrier bags. I didn't say anything to him as I didn't trust myself not to punch him

OP posts:

PeachyClair · 02/01/2006 19:39

It was really irresponsible of the packer and they should have known better, but I do feel I have to say that packers aren't childcare staff and I wouldn't personally even consider asking.

Original poster

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 19:46

oh that's ridiculous i didn't ask him to look after dd just to keep an eye for less than 10 seconds which should not really be beyond him. If he had just left the trolley where it was she would have been fine

OP posts:

hercules · 02/01/2006 19:47

Have to say that not the packers job. Before kids I'd have probably done the same as packer.

nutcracker · 02/01/2006 19:48

I would also be upset, but have to say also wouldn't have asked them to watch her in the first place.

hercules · 02/01/2006 19:48

Now, moving the trolley was wrong.

Original poster

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 19:50

So why did the packer not say no then?

OP posts:

compo · 02/01/2006 19:50

I'm afraid I agree with the others although understand why you were so upset. It must be hard to look out for a child and pack at the same time i would havew thought. Also coming from a customer care background we are not allowed to take resonsibilty in this way in case the unthinkable happened

Hulababy · 02/01/2006 19:50

Hard one. Horrid experience for you and DD.

However, even if just for 10 seconds, it isn't the packers job and can't be blamed. Did the packer move the trolley for a reason? Was he serving another customer? Was he busy doing his job? Did he answer you when you asked him to watch DD?

Maybe if the shop was a small one and there was no one in the queue but...

compo · 02/01/2006 19:50

ah, posts crossed. The packer should have said no!!

gigglinggoblin · 02/01/2006 19:51

well done for not punching him! agree that they are not childcare staff but i will leave the trolley to cross the aisle to grab something off a shelf and it doesnt sound like cd did much different. i dont expect anyone to move a trolley with a child in it so they can then reach something dangerous, thats just stupid! if she had left her for half an hour that would be another matter. dont think there is much you can do about it cd, personally packers do my head in. i dont trust them with my shopping so wouldnt trust them with my child (yes that is a blanket statement but one crap one has tainted my view of them all im afraid). grrr on your behalf

Hulababy · 02/01/2006 19:52

x costs - if the packer replied to you and agreed to watch her, then things are a little more muddled. He should have said no in the first place. I would also be upset iif it had happened to me/my DD - but more cross with myself than anything else I think.

SenoraPostrophe · 02/01/2006 19:52

peachy - I'm very homesick at the mo, but that kind of attitude is one of the reasons why i would hesitate to come back to the uk. are you saying that no-one who is not qualified and insured should ever watch a child for 15 seconds or however long? if so I can forget going out of the house with my two ever again.

MerlinsBeard · 02/01/2006 19:52

sorry but i also agree. Besides, if he has no children why would he automatically notice dangers?

SenoraPostrophe · 02/01/2006 19:55

actually no, this is funny now. ask any woman from southern spain if she would have done the same as cd and she would say yes. I would have too, and have done a few times.

and you don't need to have had children to know that small girls and plastic carriers do not mix.

getbakainyourjimjams · 02/01/2006 19:56

Years ago I worked in asupermarket. (way pre-kids). If someone had asked me to look after a child I would have assumed they meant in a "make sure she's not abducted" type way. If I had seen her putting a bag on her head I would have told her to take it off obviously, but I wouldn't have watched in the way someone who is responsible for a child would. I would probably have shifted the trolley a bit if it made packing easier as well, and pre- kids wouldn't have had the nonce to notice plastic bags.

I would never ask a packer tbh as they get asked to go and fetch stuff by the supervisors.. I do leave ds2 and ds3 at the end of an aisle and leg it off to get something occasionally.

Original poster

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 19:59

Quite thank you Senora

Yes he said yes. If he had shown any reticence I would have waited. I often do this sort of thing as do most other mothers I see in the supermarket. (Of course all the perfect pants cybermums don't)

I am far angrier with myself than I am with him but I am still angry with him for moving the trolley. Of course I am not going to "do anything about it" he is not a childcarer but I do expect a bit of basic common sense.

OP posts:

Original poster

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 19:59

pmsl @ nonce!

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getbakainyourjimjams · 02/01/2006 19:59

a man without kids is never going to notice plastic bags are they? TBH I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving a child like this, but I don't think you can blame the packer if it goes wrong, the responsibility is always yours.

getbakainyourjimjams · 02/01/2006 20:00

Original poster

CountessDracula · 02/01/2006 20:00

right am off for my last drink for a few weeks. Bloody need it after this!

OP posts:

Hulababy · 02/01/2006 20:01

Agree with jimjams - nothing wrong in asking/doing this, bet many people do but if it goes wrong then it remains the parents responsibilities.

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