People Who Take Ages At The Supermarket

[Bletchleyite]

I agree, although I think that it's more a case of them being too impatient to allow others the time to see what they are purchasing. Of course, the old 'me first' and <insert appropriate expletive here> to everybody else is still alive and kicking. It's only under the cover of social media anonymity that they have the nerve to utter such abuse.

And if they are in a hurry there's always an option - "Excuse me, please, I need to get back to my shift in 5 minutes, could you just step back while I grab a sandwich? Thanks."

 

[AM9]

And if they are in a hurry there's always an option - "Excuse me, please, I need to get back to my shift in 5 minutes, could you just step back while I grab a sandwich? Thanks."

The trouble that many of those types see themselves as so important that a mere grunt and a tut is deemed sufficient for those beings lesser than themselves.

 

[oldman]

Yes let's make fun of someone for reading the labels on the products they're buying.

According to this BBC story, some people feel bad about returning anything to the shelf once touched and end up buying things they don't want. Which would be tough for those with special dietary needs.

Grace McLean, 30, from Edinburgh, said she had picked up the wrong newspaper in his [sic] supermarket.

"I felt I couldn't put it back because I had contaminated it by touching it," she said.

"I had a moment of wondering what to do and looking around to see if anyone was watching me, and then I just felt I had to buy it as I couldn't put it back. I've been wondering ever since if I should have just put it back."

Rory McKenzie, 35, from Edinburgh, felt a similar emotion after reaching to the back of a shelf for the last remaining bag of flour - only to find it was white rather than the wholemeal flour he wanted.

"I put it back, but then I got worried that someone was going to say I had contaminated it so I ended up putting it back into my basket," he said.

Both seemed more concerned about social embarrassment than any health risk.

 

[yorkie]

The key message here is to try to avoid touching your face when out and about as much as possible, and to wash your hands thoroughly when you get home. It then makes no difference what you've touched.

As for the comment at the top of this thread regarding people looking at labels, it reminded me of this, from the link I provided in the other thread:

Tara Rankine said her husband was "tutted and grumbled at" while shopping in a Tesco in Bathgate.

She said: "I can only assume the man thought my husband was browsing and taking too long and they couldn't get past.

"Unfortunately, we are not in a position where we can grab the first thing on the shelf. We need to check the ingredients on everything because our son has severe food allergies.

I think that some people may be making assumptions that people don't have food allergies, but how can anyone make that assumption as there is no way to know if someone has a food allergy or not. If we must make assumptions, the assumptions should give the person the benefit of any doubt.

 

[nlogax]

Another place on the internet where everyone thinks they know better than everyone else. Yes let's make fun of someone for reading the labels on the products they're buying.

This is a real problem, and why there are two tins of chopped tomatoes with olives in my kitchen... if only I'd taken the time to read the label!

 

[greyman42]

Apologies if this sounds harsh but the reality at the moment is that you get in and out of shops as quickly as possible.

If you are buying on behalf of someone else you stick it in your trolley/basket and if it is the wrong thing then tough.

People may be checking the ingredients for health reasons. Who wants to get home to find that what they have bought is loaded with saturated fat and salt?

 

[bramling]

The key message here is to try to avoid touching your face when out and about as much as possible, and to wash your hands thoroughly when you get home. It then makes no difference what you've touched.

As for the comment at the top of this thread regarding people looking at labels, it reminded me of this, from the link I provided in the other thread:

I think that some people may be making assumptions that people don't have food allergies, but how can anyone make that assumption as there is no way to know if someone has a food allergy or not. If we must make assumptions, the assumptions should give the person the benefit of any doubt.

The problem with relying on hand washing is people do seem almost hard-wired to touch their face. I’ve found myself doing it without even realising.

I can see both sides of the supermarket touching things argument. Surely most people with allergies have a pretty good idea what they normally buy though? Likewise surely someone buying for someone else would simply be given a list of what product / brand to buy? I’ve simply been going into the supermarket and getting what I normally would, so no need to linger.

I’m not convinced everyone picking stuff off shelves is doing it for allergy reasons. I suspect many simply can’t make their mind up what to get, or in some cases may be having to make decisions based on scarce funds available. Similar to how some people can’t make their mind up when faced with a menu in a restaurant...

 

[Bletchleyite]

In the end, I wouldn't get fixated with other people handling stuff, as you just can't know. If you are concerned, the best approach is to buy only packaged goods (not loose fruit[1], say) and either disinfect it all when you get home, or leave it untouched for a week before using it.

[1] I think it would make sense not to sell loose fruit and veg at the moment, TBH.

 

[bramling]

In the end, I wouldn't get fixated with other people handling stuff, as you just can't know. If you are concerned, the best approach is to buy only packaged goods (not loose fruit[1], say) and either disinfect it all when you get home, or leave it untouched for a week before using it.

[1] I think it would make sense not to sell loose fruit and veg at the moment, TBH.

Yes I’ve been tending to get packaged stuff for that reason. I’d still prefer people not to have handled it if they didn’t need to though.

The scientific advice regarding surfaces is still very non-conclusive, no one seems to know just how much of an issue or not this is.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The scientific advice regarding surfaces is still very non-conclusive, no one seems to know just how much of an issue or not this is.

Yes, I think it's clear that the virus can survive on surfaces, but what's not clear is what chance you've got of being infected by that route.

The asymptomatic cases don't help in working out this sort of thing.

 

[westv]

I’m not convinced everyone picking stuff off shelves is doing it for allergy reasons. I suspect many simply can’t make their mind up what to get, or in some cases may be having to make decisions based on scarce funds available. Similar to how some people can’t make their mind up when faced with a menu in a restaurant...

or they might also be checking for the best sell by/use by date.

 

[bramling]

Yes, I think it's clear that the virus can survive on surfaces, but what's not clear is what chance you've got of being infected by that route.

The asymptomatic cases don't help in working out this sort of thing.

Just went for a supermarket experience. Having previously driven past Tesco's in Finchley and seen a queue along the pavement several hundred metres long I was dreading it, however straight in. A *lot* of lingering going on, and a few going round engrossed in mobile phone conversation (not about shopping!). I witnessed a tut-tut over someone buying an easter egg, of which there seems to be massive supply still presumably as sales were down at the time.

Apart from the lingering (which was causing issues in places) the biggest problem seemed to be queuing for checkouts, which are down aisles with labels on the floor directing people where to stand. Only a proportion of the self checkouts were in use, and progress through these was glacial. The queuing down aisles wasn't really working, and to be honest I think it would have been preferable simply to have all the self checkouts operational.

Besides that not too bad an experience all in all, however when I was walking out there was a queue of about 20 people waiting to get in.

I think people will have to try to be better with the lingering, as apart from touching items it's also wasting masses of time, both for themselves and others, contributing to queues.

 

[111-111-1]

In the end, I wouldn't get fixated with other people handling stuff, as you just can't know. If you are concerned, the best approach is to buy only packaged goods (not loose fruit[1], say) and either disinfect it all when you get home, or leave it untouched for a week before using it.

[1] I think it would make sense not to sell loose fruit and veg at the moment, TBH.

So are you going to start wrapping things like grapefruit, pineapples and melons? Then if you start wrapping other items buying things like a single pepper or onion will become impossible.

 

[ASharpe]

Have I misunderstood the guidance?

I thought you shouldn't spend time in close proximity to someone - for example stood queueing at the checkouts or stood queueing to enter the store.

15 minutes at less than 6 feet was when I understood there was a problem.

Walking past someone in a supermarket I'm not sure has that high a risk of transmission.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

How difficult is it to have hand sanitisers at supermarket entrances and you can't go in unless you've used it?

Oh wait, that ship has sailed as there is none...

Then you're in a queue waiting for the checkout. People still shopping dodge in and out of the queues to get the things they need from the shelves. How is that keeping social distancing and reducing transmission?

 

[yorkie]

Then you're in a queue waiting for the checkout. People still shopping dodge in and out of the queues to get the things they need from the shelves. How is that keeping social distancing and reducing transmission?

The risk incurred by briefly passing someone at a distance less than 2m is absolutely minimal.

Also, the risk we are mitigating against is too many people getting the virus simultaneously and overwhelming the NHS; it's not about eliminating the possibility of anyone catching it, which is impossible.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

The risk incurred by briefly passing someone at a distance less than 2m is absolutely minimal.

Perhaps, in most cases but...

A few days ago, I had done a shop and joined a queue of 8. On at least 3 occasions, people (including 2 couples) dithered near me trying to decide whether to buy own brand or big brand - and 2 of them were coughing...

I'm sure there are many other instances

 

[yorkie]

Perhaps, in most cases but...

A few days ago, I had done a shop and joined a queue of 8. On at least 3 occasions, people (including 2 couples) dithered near me trying to decide whether to buy own brand or big brand - and 2 of them were coughing...

I'm sure there are many other instances

Yes, but overall the rate of infections will be vastly reduced. There is only so much that can be done; at some point soon the rate is going to have to increase again. We're going to have to accept that; it's just a case of slowing it down a bit so that we have a bit more time to prepare, but it's going to continue spreading and you cannot eliminate all risks in life, only reduce them.

Edit: Let's continue to discuss this at the following thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ce-or-eliminate-exposure-to-the-virus.203531/

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I am finding recently that supermarkets are better stocked now and people seem to be more sensible with what they purchase

 

[Bletchleyite]

So are you going to start wrapping things like grapefruit, pineapples and melons? Then if you start wrapping other items buying things like a single pepper or onion will become impossible.

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.

 

[Domh245]

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.

Not from certain supermarkets they don't - they're lucky to make it past a couple of days in some cases! Although, said supermarkets tend to sell packs anyway with a limited loose range.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not from certain supermarkets they don't - they're lucky to make it past a couple of days in some cases! Although, said supermarkets tend to sell packs anyway with a limited loose range.

A couple of days is fine if you plan properly. On day one, you have something eaten fresh made from one. On day two you use some in a sandwich or salad, then the rest goes in something e.g. a bulk pasta or rice based dish to freeze to eat on days three, four and five.

 

[Domh245]

Sure, and I plan my meals out to work around the fact that any fresh veg I buy needs to get cooked within a couple of days, but with the poor quality of fresh fruit and veg from Lidl and the fact that they tend to only sell in larger packs makes it interesting! I bought a pack of carrots (1kg - the smallest quantity that was available) last Friday and when I came to use some of them on Wednesday a few that had started to go squishy around the edges - judicious washing and trimming meant it wasn't an issue but I've still got half the bag left in my fridge and I won't be surprised if any of them are good still a week from now - and I'm not particularly keen on the idea of eating carrot with everything for the week!

 

[High Dyke]

It's not for me to judge if it's a necessity or not, nor anybody else. As soon as we start questioning whether purchasing certain foods is a necessity or not, we end up on the slippery slope of being issued nutrient bars and ration packs and being told to put up with it. Quoting the latest NPCC guidance (from the other thread) - "There is no need for all a person’s shopping to be basic food supplies; the purchase of snacks and luxuries is still permitted." - ie let the man have his cottage cheese!

Too right! The Mem and myself both enjoyed a jam doughnut last week. I can't remember the last time i had one....

 

[Busaholic]

Make sandwiches.

So everyone must have patience while you, unbeknown to them, check the ingredients because of your allergies, but 'let them eat cake' is your answer to Bramling's example of the person, maybe a NHS worker, who is trying to grab something to eat in their break? Where is the empathy there, pray?

 

[Bletchleyite]

So everyone must have patience while you, unbeknown to them, check the ingredients because of your allergies, but 'let them eat cake' is your answer to Bramling's example of the person, maybe a NHS worker, who is trying to grab something to eat in their break? Where is the empathy there, pray?

Well, they could solve their problem by opening their mouth and saying "Excuse me, could you just let me past please"? I went to a smallish Co-op last week and people were doing exactly that - working around each other and being polite and accommodating, not being angry.

But at the moment a full-sized supermarket is not a suitable venue to "grab something to eat in your break", it will take probably two hours to queue and get in and around. NHS staff can sometimes but not always jump the queue. It is prudent for people not to rely on this possibility, and this is very much in line with the Government's recommendation to shop as rarely as possible rather than popping in every day for lunch.

If they have nothing and have to go there one lunchtime, a loaf of bread, a jar of jam and a pack of butter, say, would be a more sensible purchase than a packet sandwich. That's a week's worth in one go.

 

[bramling]

I agree, although I think that it's more a case of them being too impatient to allow others the time to see what they are purchasing. Of course, the old 'me first' and <insert appropriate expletive here> to everybody else is still alive and kicking. It's only under the cover of social media anonymity that they have the nerve to utter such abuse.

This is a little disingenuous.

Someone with a reasonable level of self-awareness would pick something off the shelf and then move away slightly whilst they scan the label, in order not to block access to that shelf for everyone else.

In the same way that a self-aware person wouldn’t stop immediately upon stepping off an escalator, or stand right in the way of the entrance to a busy platform.

In this situation I’d say the “me first” is the one blocking everyone else and displaying a lack of self-awareness, not the person who might need to get round the shop swiftly for whatever reason.

 

[MCSHF007]

Precisely this.

This is a little disingenuous.

Someone with a reasonable level of self-awareness would pick something off the shelf and then move away slightly whilst they scan the label, in order not to block access to that shelf for everyone else.

In the same way that a self-aware person wouldn’t stop immediately upon stepping off an escalator, or stand right in the way of the entrance to a busy platform.

In this situations I’d say the “me first” is the one blocking everyone else and displaying a lack of self-awareness, not the person who might need to get round the shop swiftly for whatever reason.

 

[HH]

I don't use Lidl. I cannot do a full shop there; not even close, as they are not guaranteed to have the things I want and some of the stuff just isn't of sufficient quality. Plus some of the pack sizes are too large, which doesn't make them good value at all.

I always plan the week's meals, starting around what I still have in the fridge (and freezer, as I batch cook), write a list and pretty much stick to what's on the list. I allow myself some leeway, e.g. I will vary some meat, vegetables and fruit depending on what is good quality and value that week. To be honest, I can't really understand why everybody doesn't do this; it's much more efficient in every way - time, cost and waste.

 

[farleigh]

So everyone must have patience while you, unbeknown to them, check the ingredients because of your allergies, but 'let them eat cake' is your answer to Bramling's example of the person, maybe a NHS worker, who is trying to grab something to eat in their break? Where is the empathy there, pray?

The 'NHS worker' could say 'I am an NHS worker and I am on a short break. Could you let me through please?' Just a thought....