[Politics] Elderly people in supermarkets

[BBassic]

Can't remember the last time I did a big shop in a supermarket. Online shopping and home delivery is so much easier.

Got a small Tesco near me for small shops / things I've forgotten.

If I can spend as little time as possible in supermarkets I'm a happy man.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

My complaints were about the selfishness/ignorance of others around them on the shop floor, specifically in this case elderly people. Nothing to do with checkouts on this occasion or in my OP.

I just don’t recognise this as a general problem. Have I ever witnessed rudeness in a supermarket? Hmm, I probably have but I honestly can’t recall many specific examples. We were in Sainsbury's yesterday for the biggest shop of the year. The one time of the year we use a deep trolley instead of the nippier, shallow models. The place was rammed. Yes, I sensed that a lot of people were quite stressed and not in the best of moods but I didn’t see any outright rudeness. Occasionally I do find that some people — disabled, older people with mobility difficulties, young mums trying to control unruly kids — do cause an obstruction but this is never intentional, and it’s nearly always possible to manoeuvre round them without categorising them as rude or dismissing them because they’re 'elderly'. I’m in my late 60s, on the frontier of elderliness I suppose, but I’m pretty sure I’m as focused and aware of my surroundings as younger people. But hey, perhaps I cause a lot of trouble without being conscious of it. I’ll keep it in mind.

Here’s a thought that of course doesn’t apply to you, but may to others. Rude people tend to attract and create rudeness in other people. I've noticed in the past, especially when living overseas, that the sort of people who complained of rudeness in shops, and poor customer service, were usually the sort of tetchy types who grumbled about all sorts of other random shit. In other words, the treatment you receive often reflects the demeanour and behaviour you present to the world. Sometimes, instead of trying in vain to change the world around you, it’s better to change yourself to accept the shortcomings of others, whether they’re intentional or not.

Yesterday there were several times when the aisle was blocked with trolleys. No one was doing it deliberately. Sheer weight of traffic, as they say on traffic bulletins. All it took was either a few seconds of patience to allow it to clear naturally, or a friendly "Erm, excuse me, could I just squeeze past?", accompanied by a smile. Invariably, the response was equally friendly, even slightly apologetic, even though no apology was needed. If I’d tried pushing my way through, grumbling and tutting and muttering about other people’s rudeness, I’m 100% sure I’d have got the same in return.

I don’t find queuing at the checkout at all stressful. I am happy to relax and let someone else do the hard work of the scanning that basically I couldn’t be bothered to do.

if you don’t mind queuing at the checkout, that’s fine. A lot of people do moan about it though. But "the hard work of scanning"? Ha ha! That’s a good one! You take something off a shelf, scan it, put it in your bag in the trolley, ready to go straight in the car. It’s surely harder work and less efficient to put it in the trolley, take it out again at the checkout, then put it back in again.

But it is fair to agree that some oldies do apparently enjoy using the checkout as it means the chance of a natter. I read somewhere that in, I think, Scandinavia, some supermarkets are trialling special checkouts for people who aren’t in a rush, and want to have a bit of a chat with the cashier. But I’ll stick with my self-scanning and quick getaway, thanks.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Most fol

I just don’t recognise this as a general problem. Have I ever witnessed rudeness in a supermarket? Hmm, I probably have but I honestly can’t recall many specific examples. We were in Sainsbury's yesterday for the biggest shop of the year. The one time of the year we use a deep trolley instead of the nippier, shallow models. The place was rammed. Yes, I sensed that a lot of people were quite stressed and not in the best of moods but I didn’t see any outright rudeness. Occasionally I do find that some people — disabled, older people with mobility difficulties, young mums trying to control unruly kids — do cause an obstruction but this is never intentional, and it’s nearly always possible to manoeuvre round them without categorising them as rude or dismissing them because they’re 'elderly'. I’m in my late 60s, on the frontier of elderliness I suppose, but I’m pretty sure I’m as focused and aware of my surroundings as younger people. But hey, perhaps I cause a lot of trouble without being conscious of it. I’ll keep it in mind.

Here’s a thought that of course doesn’t apply to you, but may to others. Rude people tend to attract and create rudeness in other people. I've noticed in the past, especially when living overseas, that the sort of people who complained of rudeness in shops, and poor customer service, were usually the sort of tetchy types who grumbled about all sorts of other random shit. In other words, the treatment you receive often reflects the demeanour and behaviour you present to the world. Sometimes, instead of trying in vain to change the world around you, it’s better to change yourself to accept the shortcomings of others, whether they’re intentional or not.

Yesterday there were several times when the aisle was blocked with trolleys. No one was doing it deliberately. Sheer weight of traffic, as they say on traffic bulletins. All it took was either a few seconds of patience to allow it to clear naturally, or a friendly "Erm, excuse me, could I just squeeze past?", accompanied by a smile. Invariably, the response was equally friendly, even slightly apologetic, even though no apology was needed. If I’d tried pushing my way through, grumbling and tutting and muttering about other people’s rudeness, I’m 100% sure I’d have got the same in return.

if you don’t mind queuing at the checkout, that’s fine. A lot of people do moan about it though. But "the hard work of scanning"? Ha ha! That’s a good one! You take something off a shelf, scan it, put it in your bag in the trolley, ready to go straight in the car. It’s surely harder work and less efficient to put it in the trolley, take it out again at the checkout, then put it back in again.

But it is fair to agree that some oldies do apparently enjoy using the checkout as it means the chance of a natter. I read somewhere that in, I think, Scandinavia, some supermarkets are trialling special checkouts for people who aren’t in a rush, and want to have a bit of a chat with the cashier. But I’ll stick with my self-scanning and quick getaway, thanks.

TL;DR

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

£6.99 a month for home delivery is cheaper than the fuel Id use, a hassle tax I’m willing to pay

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I just don’t recognise this as a general problem. Have I ever witnessed rudeness in a supermarket? Hmm, I probably have but I honestly can’t recall many specific examples. We were in Sainsbury's yesterday for the biggest shop of the year. The one time of the year we use a deep trolley instead of the nippier, shallow models. The place was rammed. Yes, I sensed that a lot of people were quite stressed and not in the best of moods but I didn’t see any outright rudeness. Occasionally I do find that some people — disabled, older people with mobility difficulties, young mums trying to control unruly kids — do cause an obstruction but this is never intentional, and it’s nearly always possible to manoeuvre round them without categorising them as rude or dismissing them because they’re 'elderly'. I’m in my late 60s, on the frontier of elderliness I suppose, but I’m pretty sure I’m as focused and aware of my surroundings as younger people. But hey, perhaps I cause a lot of trouble without being conscious of it. I’ll keep it in mind.

Here’s a thought that of course doesn’t apply to you, but may to others. Rude people tend to attract and create rudeness in other people. I've noticed in the past, especially when living overseas, that the sort of people who complained of rudeness in shops, and poor customer service, were usually the sort of tetchy types who grumbled about all sorts of other random shit. In other words, the treatment you receive often reflects the demeanour and behaviour you present to the world. Sometimes, instead of trying in vain to change the world around you, it’s better to change yourself to accept the shortcomings of others, whether they’re intentional or not.

But it is fair to agree that some oldies do apparently enjoy using the checkout as it means the chance of a natter. I read somewhere that in, I think, Scandinavia, some supermarkets are trialling special checkouts for people who aren’t in a rush, and want to have a bit of a chat with the cashier. But I’ll stick with my self-scanning and quick getaway, thanks.

That's the approach Dutch supermarket operator Jumbo has taken with its Kletskassa — which translates to “chat checkout” in English. Just like the name suggests, these checkout counters allow customers and cashiers to leisurely chat with each other

 

[Colonel Mustard]

That's the approach Dutch supermarket operator Jumbo has taken with its Kletskassa — which translates to “chat checkout” in English. Just like the name suggests, these checkout counters allow customers and cashiers to leisurely chat with each other

It’s a nice idea. I suspect for some people, it’s the only conversation they have all day.

 

[A1X]

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Just popped to the supermarket here to pick up a few bits. The fish counter was a little busier than usual but other than that 'twas reasonably quiet. I was in and out in under 5 minutes.

Good work. Can’t say I encountered any issues sorting the Tubthumper Xmas dinner………I booked the restaurant in November.

 

[jcdenton08]

£6.99 a month for home delivery is cheaper than the fuel Id use, a hassle tax I’m willing to pay

And what would you do if say, potatoes and stuffing for your roast dinner on Christmas Day didn’t arrive?

 

[A mex eyecan]

And what would you do if say, potatoes and stuffing for your roast dinner on Christmas Day didn’t arrive?

I’d probably say something like ‘Oh 8ollox’

 

[jcdenton08]

I’d probably say something like ‘Oh 8ollox’

Or something like I said in my final paragraph.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Can't remember the last time I did a big shop in a supermarket. Online shopping and home delivery is so much easier.

Got a small Tesco near me for small shops / things I've forgotten.

If I can spend as little time as possible in supermarkets I'm a happy man.

I’d rather actually go to the shop and mix with people, making my own choice of packs of vegetables and so on As well.

 

[ManOfSussex]

Regarding elderly people in supermarkets, Sainsburys in Bexhill midweek daytime has to be seen to be believed at times. It's not just the customers that are elderly people either.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

I just don’t recognise this as a general problem. Have I ever witnessed rudeness in a supermarket? Hmm, I probably have but I honestly can’t recall many specific examples. We were in Sainsbury's yesterday for the biggest shop of the year. The one time of the year we use a deep trolley instead of the nippier, shallow models. The place was rammed. Yes, I sensed that a lot of people were quite stressed and not in the best of moods but I didn’t see any outright rudeness. Occasionally I do find that some people — disabled, older people with mobility difficulties, young mums trying to control unruly kids — do cause an obstruction but this is never intentional, and it’s nearly always possible to manoeuvre round them without categorising them as rude or dismissing them because they’re 'elderly'. I’m in my late 60s, on the frontier of elderliness I suppose, but I’m pretty sure I’m as focused and aware of my surroundings as younger people. But hey, perhaps I cause a lot of trouble without being conscious of it. I’ll keep it in mind.

Here’s a thought that of course doesn’t apply to you, but may to others. Rude people tend to attract and create rudeness in other people. I've noticed in the past, especially when living overseas, that the sort of people who complained of rudeness in shops, and poor customer service, were usually the sort of tetchy types who grumbled about all sorts of other random shit. In other words, the treatment you receive often reflects the demeanour and behaviour you present to the world. Sometimes, instead of trying in vain to change the world around you, it’s better to change yourself to accept the shortcomings of others, whether they’re intentional or not.

Yesterday there were several times when the aisle was blocked with trolleys. No one was doing it deliberately. Sheer weight of traffic, as they say on traffic bulletins. All it took was either a few seconds of patience to allow it to clear naturally, or a friendly "Erm, excuse me, could I just squeeze past?", accompanied by a smile. Invariably, the response was equally friendly, even slightly apologetic, even though no apology was needed. If I’d tried pushing my way through, grumbling and tutting and muttering about other people’s rudeness, I’m 100% sure I’d have got the same in return.

if you don’t mind queuing at the checkout, that’s fine. A lot of people do moan about it though. But "the hard work of scanning"? Ha ha! That’s a good one! You take something off a shelf, scan it, put it in your bag in the trolley, ready to go straight in the car. It’s surely harder work and less efficient to put it in the trolley, take it out again at the checkout, then put it back in again.

But it is fair to agree that some oldies do apparently enjoy using the checkout as it means the chance of a natter. I read somewhere that in, I think, Scandinavia, some supermarkets are trialling special checkouts for people who aren’t in a rush, and want to have a bit of a chat with the cashier. But I’ll stick with my self-scanning and quick getaway, thanks.

I was in my local co op a couple of weeks ago, lad in his twenties didn't think he needed to queue like the rest of us and walked straight up to a self scanner (which I was queuing for) the security guard saw him and kept removing his items it then turned in to a fist fight. Entitled little prick .

 

[brighton_dave]

I mostly do home deliveries now but had to brave the craziness today as couldn't get a slot.
I'm terrible with scan as you go as forget to scan every item or the kids insist on scanning & mess it up too. I'm too used to just chucking it on the trolley.
Re elderly people, I really don't get them doing the shop on a weekend when most working folk need to do there's. There's 5 week days when the shops are a lot less busy. Never quite worked that out?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

And what would you do if say, potatoes and stuffing for your roast dinner on Christmas Day didn’t arrive?

Excuse me waiter, you’ve forgotten the potatoes and stuffing?

 

[BN9 BHA]

I was in my local co op a couple of weeks ago, lad in his twenties didn't think he needed to queue like the rest of us and walked straight up to a self scanner (which I was queuing for) the security guard saw him and kept removing his items it then turned in to a fist fight. Entitled little prick .

Hope the security guard won.

 

[brighton_dave]

I was in my local co op a couple of weeks ago, lad in his twenties didn't think he needed to queue like the rest of us and walked straight up to a self scanner (which I was queuing for) the security guard saw him and kept removing his items it then turned in to a fist fight. Entitled little prick .

Not supermarkets but just returned from holiday in Egypt and it was very evident the younger generation were far more respectful and happy to queue than the older generation. The hotel was mostly German holidaymakers (steigenberger!).
It's not something I've previously noticed but the behaviour of pushing in was not there with the younger folk.
I'ts the opposite to here in the UK where older folk are better mannered & less entitled too.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

I remember when I Iived in New York they opened an Amazon Go convenience store which had fresh food, snacks and general stuff. No scanning at all, you just walked out the exit with the goods you had bought and they automatically debited your account for the amount. Couldn't be any simpler.

 

[Zeberdi]

I mostly do home deliveries now but had to brave the craziness today as couldn't get a slot.
I'm terrible with scan as you go as forget to scan every item or the kids insist on scanning & mess it up too. I'm too used to just chucking it on the trolley.
Re elderly people, I really don't get them doing the shop on a weekend when most working folk need to do there's. There's 5 week days when the shops are a lot less busy. Never quite worked that out?

How do you know that they are not also doing a shop during the week? In all the years of supermarket shopping, I don’t think I recall that many really elderly/infirm people doing a large trolley shop - shopping habits change a lot when pensioners get older - smaller homes, less storage, unable to carry a large weekly shop, perishables not lasting as long as they used to? Family only visiting weekends so needs fresh items? Perhaps elderly people just want to enjoy the rights others have and go out on a Saturday morning when it’s busy because that’s when they meet people? That generation is also used to high street shopping where you just popped down to your local butchers, bakers and candlestick makers several days a week and where everything fitted into a shopping bag - Supermarkets have literally been the death of that option.

Interestingly, I met a very elderly person just before the Pandemic in a supermarket who was struggling to get a taxi home - I called my own regular taxi driver and pulled in a favour to get her one but I asked her why she didn’t shop online. She said she wasn’t on the internet. My elderly Mum is on the internet but she refuses to buy anything online. It honestly still surprises me how many elderly people don’t do online grocery shopping or are even online at all.

Nearly two million over-75s in England are still digitally excluded in a COVID-19 world | Press release | Age UK

New Age UK analysis busts the myth that the pandemic has driven most older people online and calls for more support for non-users

www.ageuk.org.uk