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Preppers

Do other people think you're being OTT?

92 replies

Wellthisismorethanabitgrim · 19/11/2020 08:08

I am far from a 'proper' prepper, but over the last year since Brexit was first supposed to happen I've been gradually building up stocks so that we can be self sufficient if we need to isolate for 2 weeks, and to see us through the first few weeks of Brexit when it does happen. Nothing dramatic, just a couple of boxes of extra tins / packets under the bed, stuff to make bread, some long life milk, and trying to ensure I have a spare of most things to avoid having to shop immediately if we run out of something important (like coffee!).

However, absolutely no-one else I know is doing this (these are people with the means and space to stock up if they wanted to, I totally understand a lot of people can't). My boss yesterday pissed himself laughing when I mentioned my Brexit box and planning ahead for the shitshow that I'm fairly sure January is going to be. I got the impression he thinks I should be wearing a tinfoil hat. My friends are all like "well the shops will be open won't they". The only person I know that is on board is my elderly mum, but thats because she wasn't prepared for the first lockdown and got thoroughly fed up of not having different things to eat, so she's now stocked up her cupboards.

Have you discussed your prepping with friends and family, are they doing it too or do they think you're a bit odd?!

OP posts:
CookieMumsters · 19/11/2020 09:48

Yes, I think most people believe it will be fine.

I've started focusing on the issue of fresh fruit because people seem to get their heads round it better. If asked I just say I think there will be some delays getting fresh fruit and veg in january so I've made sure to pick up some tinned / frozen bits.

SupplyChainHusband · 19/11/2020 13:08

I was talking it through with two mates last night over a virtual beer drinking session. I showed them photos of my 3-ish months worth of "stuff". They both thought I was absolutely crazy. One is a middle manager in network rail working with rail freight companies, the other is a middle manager in supply chain for Jaguar Land Rover. Both (like me) have 20 years experience in supply chain. I don't understand why they cannot see the brown stuff hitting the fan.

MarshmallowManiac · 19/11/2020 13:18

I am quite a novice prepper but hope to have a few weeks of stuff to get us through the worst. Everyone I have spoken to laughs when I say I've stocked up a bit and say 'well the shops will be open so it'll be fine'. Why can't people see the totall shitshow that is leaping over the horizon??? I hope I'm wrong but I can't see any other outcome.

Tana433 · 19/11/2020 14:13

At this point in time i would consider it very foolish to discuss your prepping with anyone, let alone show them your "stash". People may be laughing now but if things get really bad in the future, they are going to remember you and then you could be in for some trouble. Hungry people with hungry families are not going to sit back quietly and starve.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/11/2020 14:21

Gently suggested it to sil. She's a I will buy what's available person.

Ex is humouring me but not taking it seriously. I am leaving stuff in his house in his covid boxes. Pasta buying is limited now so no chance of getting loads but I will stock him up as much as possible. He uses it as soon as he gets it though. Does not keep on top of what he has and generally only has a little bit extra. His kitchen is really tiny. He does have a new undercounter freezer though so I shall stock that. Going to put in an extra click and collect to try and boost his supplies.

EzzieLove · 19/11/2020 22:16

I don’t tell anyone about my prepping, other than immediate family. And even then I am selective. My daughter is still very resistant to building her own stock but does not disagree in principle. That’s why I stock extra for her to. My mother I think is a little more natural inclined to stock up but would never think of herself as a prepper, 😮.

Esmeralda1988 · 19/11/2020 22:19

I told the in laws that I had some boxes of long life food and extra loo roll in the loft, so it's harder to find when the looting starts and they looked at me like I'd grown another head.

EzzieLove · 19/11/2020 23:12

@ Esmeralda 🤣

LimitIsUp · 19/11/2020 23:27

"Hungry people with hungry families are not going to sit back quietly and starve"

Somewhat melodramatic!

Yes I have a Brexit store cupboard and a Brexit chest freezer in the garage, but I am not expecting to have to fight to the death to protect it

MrsFezziwig · 19/11/2020 23:33

I don’t talk about it in real life.

MrsFezziwig · 19/11/2020 23:34

The first rule about prepping......Grin

MarshmallowManiac · 20/11/2020 00:13

Esmeralda Grin Grin

Begonias · 20/11/2020 22:20

I was prepping for Brexit last year, my work colleagues thought I was crazy and even laughed at me for it. Come March I found the same people coming up to me and asking if I had x,y and z. Part of me did want to say no but I rose above it and helped them out. Needless to say now they've set up a WhatsApp group for prepping and are very much on board!

ReturntoSpamfritters · 20/11/2020 22:23

I have asked a couple of friends if they are stockpiling, just because I want them to be OK. They both said no, but I think one is now.
My partner thinks I've gone slightly batshit, but I don't care much. I would rather not be scrabbling about for food next year if/when the SHTF.

Also in any scenario, there are people who are more aware and proactive and others who are completely taken by surprise, and if there's no actual push to raise awareness, like in Sweden, most people think bad stuff will never happen to them.

WhereYouLeftIt · 20/11/2020 22:40

Other people don't think I'm OTT because I've never mentioned it to anyone. If DH and DS ever did think I'm strange, they got over it when lockdown happened and we didn't have to go shopping, just sat watching the TV news showing empty shelves.

"My boss yesterday pissed himself laughing when I mentioned my Brexit box and planning ahead for the shitshow that I'm fairly sure January is going to be. I got the impression he thinks I should be wearing a tinfoil hat. My friends are all like "well the shops will be open won't they"."
They have very short memories then.

Ridcully82 · 21/11/2020 20:25

I just have a (very) well stocked pantry, reckon it could do us a at least month, though without fresh might get boring: and only my immediate family know,and it's a bit of a good natured joke. But at worst, it's just insulating us for a month or two from increased food prices

Schmoana · 21/11/2020 20:38

Even I think I’m OTT!😂

I’ve always carried high stocks since I became a single mum, through worry of being ill and not being able to get out. But it’s quite high maintenance to make sure I don’t waste food, which I hate.

But I was really happy not to have to go out in the build up to the first lockdown, when the shelves were clearing of a pasta, flour,loo roll etc. I didn’t need to do a proper shop for a few weeks.

BlackeyedSusan · 22/11/2020 00:07

two children back isolating here so having stuff in stock is proving useful. While they are old enough to stay home while I pop to the shop for a top up it is not good to be out for long.

sexesam · 22/11/2020 09:41

I can't believe the number of people who even after this year don't have a few weeks worth of food in the house! We all know milk/bread/fruit will have to be done without if you have to isolate and don't have anyone to drop stuff off but so many people believed (the media spin) that the shortages in march to be because people bought too much. I mean yes, the supply chain was over whelmed but if you have any restrictions in the supply chain and things start getting short then people will start panic buying it again. Except this time it will be anything imported not just longlife things. I only considered myself a prepper the last few years but I have never lived quite so day to day as some people, I always had at least some tins of soup in the cupboard. And the fact people STILL are operating like that after this year blows my mind!

BlackeyedSusan · 22/11/2020 17:09

I know. Still absolutely flabbergasted that someone was considering going to Tesco after going to the test center because they had little food in.

Two weeks extra minimum is necessary due to isolation and delay in getting a shopping slot.

I have been booking ours as soon as they are opening up. Got the next two or three booked. Just as well as we have been isolating again and again and again and again....

Paranoidmarvin · 22/11/2020 19:11

Only person I have told is my sister. She is worried as well. Most of the rest of my family love Boris and think he knows everything and it will all be fine. I just hope they are right

sexesam · 22/11/2020 20:07

At the risk of being flamed, I voted for Brexit, I think long term we will be better off. That does not mean that I don't believe there will be a mess at changeover (apsolutely zero evidence to the contrary over the last 4 years). I would rather the prepared for chaos and be wrong.

CookieMumsters · 22/11/2020 21:56

I wish I had your optimism sexesam.

I've been trying to get my mum onboard, but she's having none of it.

BlackeyedSusan · 24/11/2020 11:26

I am beginning to think I am unreasonable and over reacting and bonkers right now. never mind anyone else. this is despite having enough of everything in for lockdown 1 when we had a vulnerable child to protect and could't get a shopping slot until the second week in may.

MarshmallowManiac · 24/11/2020 11:57

I don't think we are being unreasonable Blackeyed as people panic and react totally out of character when faced with problems they cannot seemingly solve. Remember the shelves in March/the lack of slots/ the panic buying and shoving in the supermarket --metaphorically slaps Blackeyed Grin Grin
www.google.com/search?q=scenes+in+middle+of+lockdown+in+supermarkets+&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjQvMb0j5vtAhVN2-AKHRMjDg4Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=scenes+in+middle+of+loc