People Who Take Ages At The Supermarket

[MotorcycleAlan]

Isn't it a very unfair world when some people don't have a spare minute to wait for someone to read a label in a supermarket, and some have unlimited time to argue about it on the internet. I think time needs to be more fairly distributed when this is all over. Let's all be accommodating and kind to each other all week, not just for 5 minutes every Thursday.

 

[Peter Sarf]

All of them, every single one on the market? I bet you'd find something that works.

I can imagine your food will keep nice and warm in the cab of a bus if it is anything like my car. When I go camping I keep stuff cool in bowls of water under the car. So don't move the bus !.

What I would buy are the long life pies that are in a sealed wrapper and can be eaten hot or cold. To control temperature you really need any well insulated container/wrapping with one or two ice blocks inside (the re-usable block you keep in the freezer).

You are right there, some people need to be a bit less impatient. Just because they are currently working, that status just means that they can go to work and get their normal salary rather than a maximum of £30K gross if they are lucky enough to be furloughed or maybe just the minimum wage to live on. Most shops have given those in the real key jobs special access, in our Waitrose, they can go to the front of the queue, present their work ID - thereby avoiding the wait that is sometimes more than an hour, and get on with their shop. One would think that such a timesaving would be enough, but no, there are those who act as if everybody should stand aside and acknowledge their status. There are plenty who wish that they could do the same, but can't.
However special those still in work may consider themselves, it doesn't mean that everybody else must stand aside or be abused just because they want to ensure that they don't buy the wrong items. Fortunately, most shoppers are reasonably tolerant of others during these difficult times. That is apart from a few who still seem to act as if the government experts' advice about maintaining a safe distance wherever possible, think that it doesn't apply to them.

Strikes me that I can see things like how important someones job is and who has already had COVID-19 will become really divisive in society.

You can do your research, though, and look for one with more insulation, or a thicker ice block, or whatever. I'm very experienced with camp catering through Scouting, and keeping the food cool and safe without electricity isn't that hard.

It'd be worth spending the time doing that research, making sandwiches rather than buying them will save you a, er, packet.

Of course, it's perfectly valid for you to choose not to do that, but then you can't really claim that you should have some sort of priority at a supermarket if you do make that choice. Plenty of bus drivers, depending on their route, don't get their break anywhere near somewhere to buy a manky 2 day old packet sandwich anyway!

When we travel by train we take a bag of bread. Cheese singles and small packets of ham. We make our own sandwiches as we go along. Takes a minute but a freshly made sandwich, even from un-fresh ingredients, is very good.

Have you ever shopped for anyone else?
At the present time there are many people doing exactly that because those people cannt go out. Those people could have numerous allergies, vary from the not so serious to the potentially lethal. Yes, they might have provided a list to the shopper but perhaps the named item isn't available but a potential substitute is, but needs to be checked.

Here's a suggestion for you; join your local group of volunteers, ask if you can do shopping for someone youdon't know and try doing it. Then you might learn just how damned difficult it is, especially in a supermarket you haven't used before.

I agree. It is a lot more time consuming shopping for someone else as you cannot go on impulse of what grabs you. Add in the fact that the person you are shopping for is possibly on a special diet or two. Then add in the fact that currently there are gaps on shelves so you have to finds alternatives. Then add in the fact that what is on their list is not what one can normally buy from the store you have chosen (e.g. Sainsburys own brand XXXXX not sold in Tescos). I confused myself by shopping for my Mother and Myself simultaneously - embarrassment at the checkouts to be avoided.

 

[Llanigraham]

I agree. It is a lot more time consuming shopping for someone else as you cannot go on impulse of what grabs you. Add in the fact that the person you are shopping for is possibly on a special diet or two. Then add in the fact that currently there are gaps on shelves so you have to finds alternatives. Then add in the fact that what is on their list is not what one can normally buy from the store you have chosen (e.g. Sainsburys own brand XXXXX not sold in Tescos). I confused myself by shopping for my Mother and Myself simultaneously - embarrassment at the checkouts to be avoided.

Exactly this!!
Which is why I suggest that some people volunteer for their local Covid 19 Support Group and actually try doing it.
They would soon change their attitude.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Exactly this!!
Which is why I suggest that some people volunteer for their local Covid 19 Support Group and actually try doing it.
They would soon change their attitude.

And I might be able to do this if I can be sure I have been proved invincible (test me test please). But then I will be dragged back to work and my partner, bless her, is getting so paranoid about that. Cannot blame her really - her having to share a house with an 'unclean' person !.

 

[bramling]

Isn't it a very unfair world when some people don't have a spare minute to wait for someone to read a label in a supermarket, and some have unlimited time to argue about it on the internet. I think time needs to be more fairly distributed when this is all over. Let's all be accommodating and kind to each other all week, not just for 5 minutes every Thursday.

This is a very thoughtful post. The thing some people here don’t seem to get in their quest to label people as impatient, is that it’s not a case of *wanting* to hurry round the store, rather a case that some people *need* to because they don’t have enough minutes in their day to complete all the tasks they need to especially with the added problem of things like queueing.

At this moment we have some people who have potentially 60 or more less hours of time per week available compared to others.

Unfortunately it’s quite clear we have a subset here who seem to take the line “I’ll damn well spend as long as I like scrutinising labels, I will be as obstructive to everyone else as I damn well like, and anyone who dares suggest I could be a little more considerate is akin to the devil”.

Thankfully I’ve just had a quite pleasant supermarket experience, went to a large store for the first time since the lockdown to do a “proper” shop, gambled correctly on Saturday evening being a good time and no issues or problems at all. Had a pleasant chat with the cashier, who it’s fair to say was at her wits end after days and days of hard work and non-stop grief.

 

[farleigh]

Surely your chat with the cashier would have delayed key workers??

 

[bramling]

Surely your chat with the cashier would have delayed key workers??

Nope, there were plenty of free checkouts available. Going to the store at 2030 turned out to be an excellent strategy - no queue to get in, no problems getting round, no issues with stuff out of stock (apart from hand sanitizer, but we’re getting that in decent supply from work now), and no queue for the checkouts. Can’t grumble at all. The cashier did comment that it hadn’t been like this every evening, perhaps Saturday made a difference who knows.

One thing I did notice, apart from pasta the only place where shelves were conspicuously bare was the alcohol section. Although the shelves were by no means empty, there had obviously been heavy demand. It’s clearly of concern that we could have some alcohol addictions brewing up in homes across the country.

 

[Mojo]

Make sandwiches.

Easy enough to say if you're in a cushy office job and don't have to lug your lunch around all day and risk it getting damaged in transit. I buy my food out, because I probably don't have time or materials to make it at work. I don't have a guaranteed meal relief time, and I can't guarantee I'll get back to my food when I have a time to eat, so I have to carry it around with me all day.

Then don't buy a single pepper or onion. They last long enough to use a pack of 3 before they go off even if you're on your own if you plan your meals properly.

These are unusual times and require unusual measures.

I previously tried to avoid buying fresh produce in packaging due to environmental reasons, even though it inevitably involved paying the plastic tax as products tend to be more expensive loose than in packaging. At the moment I'm finding these shops are still selling loose products, however that would involve going to a different shop so I'm just lumping it. I have noticed however that supermarket bakeries have wrapped all their produce in single use bags and removed the tongs. Guess that makes sense to avoid multiple people touching tongs.

I don’t see the issue with the escalator comparison - you’re quite right the escalator situation is dangerous, however the supermarket situation is inconsiderate. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect people to try and avoid both negative behaviours if possible.

Why? Both cases are examples of people who can’t or won’t show consideration for others.

The common link is a lack of self-awareness, and I bet it’s the self-same people who do both.

I agree. I recall an incidence a few years ago where there were two people standing right at the top of the stairs to my local station talking. I just said loudly "excuse me" and was accused of being rude. Now I personally think the height of rudeness is obstructing someone else and not caring to think about how your actions impact others. I will say though that sometimes these things can be a lapse of concentration, rather than being a regular habit.

 

[Mojo]

Nope, there were plenty of free checkouts available. Going to the store at 2030 turned out to be an excellent strategy - no queue to get in, no problems getting round, no issues with stuff out of stock (apart from hand sanitizer, but we’re getting that in decent supply from work now), and no queue for the checkouts. Can’t grumble at all. The cashier did comment that it hadn’t been like this every evening, perhaps Saturday made a difference who knows.

Saturday evenings do seem to be good. I went to Lidl's last Saturday at about 7pm; no queue, shelves well stocked. Not very busy. This was despite whilst passing the local shops on my way to work on Saturday and for a few days before, walking past and seeing huge queues.

 

[bramling]

Saturday evenings do seem to be good. I went to Lidl's last Saturday at about 7pm; no queue, shelves well stocked. Not very busy. This was despite whilst passing the local shops on my way to work on Saturday and for a few days before, walking past and seeing huge queues.

In that case, sssshhhhh!

On a serious note, normally we’ve always tended to do the big supermarket shops on Saturday evenings. Always fairly devoid of people, and generally well stocked. Only problem is it can be a bit of an obstacle course with stuff stacked in the centre of aisles awaiting being shelved, but I’d take that over people any day!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Easy enough to say if you're in a cushy office job and don't have to lug your lunch around all day and risk it getting damaged in transit. I buy my food out, because I probably don't have time or materials to make it at work. I don't have a guaranteed meal relief time, and I can't guarantee I'll get back to my food when I have a time to eat, so I have to carry it around with me all day.

Schoolkids cope

I previously tried to avoid buying fresh produce in packaging due to environmental reasons, even though it inevitably involved paying the plastic tax as products tend to be more expensive loose than in packaging. At the moment I'm finding these shops are still selling loose products, however that would involve going to a different shop so I'm just lumping it. I have noticed however that supermarket bakeries have wrapped all their produce in single use bags and removed the tongs. Guess that makes sense to avoid multiple people touching tongs.

That wouldn't be the only aspect of the present situation where the benefits of single-use outweigh the environmental disbenefits, though. It's like cars. As things stand, if you need to make a journey that's too far to walk your first choice should be to go by car because it's the lowest risk of spread and that outweighs the environmental and congestion issues (there not being much congestion anyway of course!). That will change back once this is all over.

 

[Mojo]

Schoolkids cope

We must have very different memories. I specifically remember having mushy and soggy sandwiches if I had to carry them around all day, and I also remember being able to leave them somewhere safe at another school so they remained safer. My job doesnt allow that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

We must have very different memories. I specifically remember having mushy and soggy sandwiches if I had to carry them around all day, and I also remember being able to leave them somewhere safe at another school so they remained safer. My job doesnt allow that.

I remember putting them in a Tupperware box (which stopped them getting squashed) wrapped in kitchen roll (which stopped them getting soggy, though you can also think about filling choices to avoid that). Also choice of bread - brown gets less soggy than white for example. We did have lockers at school, but most kids only used them for PE kit (if that) because going back and forth was hassle and people had a habit of vandalising them.

 

[Mojo]

I remember putting them in a Tupperware box (which stopped them getting squashed) wrapped in kitchen roll (which stopped them getting soggy, though you can also think about filling choices to avoid that). Also choice of bread - brown gets less soggy than white for example. We did have lockers at school, but most kids only used them for PE kit (if that) because going back and forth was hassle and people had a habit of vandalising them.

Sorry but this, quite simply doesn’t work.

I’m doing an essential job, I’m not going to belittle myself by carrying around warm and mushy sandwiches all day, and a sandwich is most certainly not going to get me by for a late turn where I need a bigger meal, or on an early turn where I’d need breakfast type food earlier on in the shift.

 

[theblackwatch]

I agree. I recall an incidence a few years ago where there were two people standing right at the top of the stairs to my local station talking. I just said loudly "excuse me" and was accused of being rude. Now I personally think the height of rudeness is obstructing someone else and not caring to think about how your actions impact others. I will say though that sometimes these things can be a lapse of concentration, rather than being a regular habit.

Perhaps the use of the word 'please' and not saying it loudly would prevent that accusation?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sorry but this, quite simply doesn’t work.

I’m doing an essential job, I’m not going to belittle myself by carrying around warm and mushy sandwiches all day, and a sandwich is most certainly not going to get me by for a late turn where I need a bigger meal, or on an early turn where I’d need breakfast type food earlier on in the shift.

That's your choice, but don't expect others to alter their essential supermarket shopping approach in favour of your preference, as that is what it is.

It certainly does work and many, many people do it.

 

[AM9]

This is a very thoughtful post. The thing some people here don’t seem to get in their quest to label people as impatient, is that it’s not a case of *wanting* to hurry round the store, rather a case that some people *need* to because they don’t have enough minutes in their day to complete all the tasks they need to especially with the added problem of things like queueing.

At this moment we have some people who have potentially 60 or more less hours of time per week available compared to others.

Unfortunately it’s quite clear we have a subset here who seem to take the line “I’ll damn well spend as long as I like scrutinising labels, I will be as obstructive to everyone else as I damn well like, and anyone who dares suggest I could be a little more considerate is akin to the devil”. ...

It's strange that in bramlingworld, these wises to get a clear run at everything to save time is described as a *need*, whereas when those who have special dietary needs, (a medical definition here), or are volunteering to shop for those unable to choose for themselves, - maybe with similar spcific needs, have their requirements to choose carefully described as a 'like'.
Those getting full-time pay because they can work can fit in shopping as they would still have over 100 hours to sleep and whatever else. So if the shop takes 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes per week, - it's one of the consequences of the current situation. If they are a genuine key worker, in many stores they will spared the tedium of queueing outside the store, which can take as long as an hour.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I know this sounds ridiculous but I was behind Mr OCD last week at the self service checkout (the large conveyor belt ones in Asda). He had written out his shopping list on a A4 piece of paper - as he scanned each item he was placing it on the steel surface (that measures the weight once it is scanned) then ticking off the item and writing in the price along side his hand written list. This same idiot was then calculating his shop as he went along on pen & paper - therefore making the self service process take four times as long. It was actually quite painful to watch & even one of the Asda staff approached him to see if he was okay and began shaking their head when they clocked what he was doing. A bloke queuing up behind me said ''Is he taking the....!'' and was clearly low on patience. During Covid19 I have witnessed appalling and quite strange behaviour at times from members of the public and this is one of them. As someone has said an essential supermarket shop should be done quickly without too much inconvenience to others but sadly this gentlemen was oblivious to this.

 

[bramling]

It's strange that in bramlingworld, these wises to get a clear run at everything to save time is described as a *need*, whereas when those who have special dietary needs, (a medical definition here), or are volunteering to shop for those unable to choose for themselves, - maybe with similar spcific needs, have their requirements to choose carefully described as a 'like'.
Those getting full-time pay because they can work can fit in shopping as they would still have over 100 hours to sleep and whatever else. So if the shop takes 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes per week, - it's one of the consequences of the current situation. If they are a genuine key worker, in many stores they will spared the tedium of queueing outside the store, which can take as long as an hour.

I’m starting to think you’re deliberately misunderstanding the point I’m attempting to make. Scrutinising labels is one thing, but it *can* be done in a way which attempts to minimise inconvenience to others. You seem to want to make no attempt at all to recognise this.

I take it you don’t join in the Thursday night clapping since you clearly have no support for those keeping the country going in the current situation?

 

[scotrail158713]

I know this sounds ridiculous but I was behind Mr OCD last week at the self service checkout (the large conveyor belt ones in Asda). He had written out his shopping list on a A4 piece of paper - as he scanned each item he was placing it on the steel surface (that measures the weight once it is scanned) then ticking off the item and writing in the price along side his hand written list. This same idiot was then calculating his shop as he went along on pen & paper - therefore making the self service process take four times as long. It was actually quite painful to watch & even one of the Asda staff approached him to see if he was okay and began shaking their head when they clocked what he was doing. A bloke queuing up behind me said ''Is he taking the....!'' and was clearly low on patience. During Covid19 I have witnessed appalling and quite strange behaviour at times from members of the public and this is one of them. As someone has said an essential supermarket shop should be done quickly without too much inconvenience to others but sadly this gentlemen was oblivious to this.

Did he not realise that the receipt you get with your shopping shows the price of items, and that the screen shows the total cost as you’re scanning?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I know this sounds ridiculous but I was behind Mr OCD last week at the self service checkout (the large conveyor belt ones in Asda). He had written out his shopping list on a A4 piece of paper - as he scanned each item he was placing it on the steel surface (that measures the weight once it is scanned) then ticking off the item and writing in the price along side his hand written list. This same idiot was then calculating his shop as he went along on pen & paper - therefore making the self service process take four times as long. It was actually quite painful to watch & even one of the Asda staff approached him to see if he was okay and began shaking their head when they clocked what he was doing. A bloke queuing up behind me said ''Is he taking the....!'' and was clearly low on patience. During Covid19 I have witnessed appalling and quite strange behaviour at times from members of the public and this is one of them. As someone has said an essential supermarket shop should be done quickly without too much inconvenience to others but sadly this gentlemen was oblivious to this.

I wonder what the point in writing the price was? The receipt has it on!

 

[Llanigraham]

I’m starting to think you’re deliberately misunderstanding the point I’m attempting to make. Scrutinising labels is one thing, but it *can* be done in a way which attempts to minimise inconvenience to others. You seem to want to make no attempt at all to recognise this.

I take it you don’t join in the Thursday night clapping since you clearly have no support for those keeping the country going in the current situation?

Have you actually tried shopping for an unknown person, who you are told has a diary and a bit intolerance?
Can I suggest that before you criticise others you actually try to do it!

 

[C J Snarzell]

I suspect he may be shopping on a very tight budget and he may have to make deductions before he commits to payment - he may only have certain funds in his pocket or his bank account. That's the only logically explanation I can come up with but even so wouldn't you just do all your maths before reaching the till? Very odd behaviour.

 

[farleigh]

I’m starting to think you’re deliberately misunderstanding the point I’m attempting to make. Scrutinising labels is one thing, but it *can* be done in a way which attempts to minimise inconvenience to others. You seem to want to make no attempt at all to recognise this.

I take it you don’t join in the Thursday night clapping since you clearly have no support for those keeping the country going in the current situation?

Clap shaming

 

[111-111-1]

I suspect he may be shopping on a very tight budget and he may have to make deductions before he commits to payment - he may only have certain funds in his pocket or his bank account. That's the only logically explanation I can come up with but even so wouldn't you just do all your maths before reaching the till? Very odd behaviour.

You have hit the nail on the head.

The issue is not what he was doing but where, causing delays to others.

Of course it is down to awareness of others and almost certainly not malicious,

 

[Mag_seven]

I know this sounds ridiculous but I was behind Mr OCD last week at the self service checkout (the large conveyor belt ones in Asda). He had written out his shopping list on a A4 piece of paper - as he scanned each item he was placing it on the steel surface (that measures the weight once it is scanned) then ticking off the item and writing in the price along side his hand written list. This same idiot was then calculating his shop as he went along on pen & paper - therefore making the self service process take four times as long. It was actually quite painful to watch & even one of the Asda staff approached him to see if he was okay and began shaking their head when they clocked what he was doing. A bloke queuing up behind me said ''Is he taking the....!'' and was clearly low on patience. During Covid19 I have witnessed appalling and quite strange behaviour at times from members of the public and this is one of them. As someone has said an essential supermarket shop should be done quickly without too much inconvenience to others but sadly this gentlemen was oblivious to this.

He may have had mental health issues so please don't label him as "Mr OCD". His behaviour might seem "appalling" or "strange" but to them it is perfectly normal. We really need to give everyone as wide a berth as possible at this worrying and stressful time.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Nope, there were plenty of free checkouts available. Going to the store at 2030 turned out to be an excellent strategy - no queue to get in, no problems getting round, no issues with stuff out of stock (apart from hand sanitizer, but we’re getting that in decent supply from work now), and no queue for the checkouts. Can’t grumble at all. The cashier did comment that it hadn’t been like this every evening, perhaps Saturday made a difference who knows.

One thing I did notice, apart from pasta the only place where shelves were conspicuously bare was the alcohol section. Although the shelves were by no means empty, there had obviously been heavy demand. It’s clearly of concern that we could have some alcohol addictions brewing up in homes across the country.

Must have been a football match on - no wait .

Might be that the supermarkets are not re-stocking alcohol. Mind you, because the pubs are shut, demand could well be significantly higher. Personally I am not missing the pub much. well I always went for the company but I don't need help relaxing currently because I am not working due to having caught it (and would give my immune system every chance I can anyway) !.

 

[AM9]

I’m starting to think you’re deliberately misunderstanding the point I’m attempting to make. Scrutinising labels is one thing, but it *can* be done in a way which attempts to minimise inconvenience to others. You seem to want to make no attempt at all to recognise this. ...

I speak as I find. I do virtually all my grocery shopping in the local Waitrose, (normally) and especially now. I've seen a few shoppers reading labels, particularly when the normal brand have been substituted by others that were all that the company could get hold of. There have also been instances of families gatecrashing the 'wrinkly hour' without even pretending that they are shopping for a vulnerable person, and a few who clearly have no intention of observing safe distances. Fortunately, the staff are usually pretty efficient entry at reminding them in reply to which they sometimes get abuse. That is my experience. Maybe Asda etc., customers have more difficulty reading the labels, but I can't confirm that of course.

take it you don’t join in the Thursday night clapping since you clearly have no support for those keeping the country going in the current situation?

Yes I do, - every week so far. I am fully aware of the efforts of key workers' efforts at their work. My daughter is also an NHS Matron and is working 5 or 6 12 hour shifts a week.

 

[bramling]

Must have been a football match on - no wait .

Might be that the supermarkets are not re-stocking alcohol. Mind you, because the pubs are shut, demand could well be significantly higher. Personally I am not missing the pub much. well I always went for the company but I don't need help relaxing currently because I am not working due to having caught it (and would give my immune system every chance I can anyway) !.

I did wonder if it was that they weren't restocking, however I don't think it was that - as the shelves had that "plundered" look, the same look that the toilet roll and pasta aisles had a few weeks ago! In other words, the remaining stock all strewn about in a manner clearly not as it had been left by those who stacked it.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I did wonder if it was that they weren't restocking, however I don't think it was that - as the shelves had that "plundered" look, the same look that the toilet roll and pasta aisles had a few weeks ago! In other words, the remaining stock all strewn about in a manner clearly not as it had been left by those who stacked it.

Oh, I know what you mean. I did not see that with toilet rolls though as, when i got to them, the shelves were totally empty. Eventually replaced with Easter eggs !.