Old People In Supermarkets at Weekends
Discussion
Why?
As a student I have to put up with working in a supermarket whilst trying to get enough qualifications for a career I really want.
I've seen it all in the last 2 years of being at this supermarket. People s
tting on the toilet floor rather than in the toilet, the numerous "where are the crisps?" when we are standing by the crisps. Customers arguing with the manager, one turned into a shouting match and all of us staff were in stitches. But one thing that really bugs me is the elderly. They have all week to come in and buy their tub of cat food and some teabags. So why come in on the busiest days of the week when all the people who've been at work all week come in? Why clog up the aisles? The best example I ever saw was an old lady reaching for the grapes on one shelf, while pushing her trolley across the aisle, causing a queue of about 20 people.
Yesterday, I was tidying up the medicines aisle. I could hear an old lady mumbling to herself behind me. Mostly incoherent, but the word "piles" came up. I was then tapped on the back, by this old lady, who demanded to know why was I ignoring her? I apologised as I didn't realise she was talking to me (didn't even her an excuse me can you help me? or anything like that so how was I meant to know when I'm facing the opposite direction?) anyway she demands quite loudly do we have a better piles cream as she has tried Anusol and it didn't work.
And who hasn't seen the old ladies grand prix? 20 old dears, one aisle. They bash trollies into everything in sight, running over people's toes, even knocking staff to the floor on some occasions.
And please don't get me started on tills. I get told to open up a till by the boss, so I start walking over. as soon as I press a button on the till, 200000 old people come out of nowhere. And they're always at my till, never at anyone else's. Obviously we have to ask if they want their bags packed. The old ladies like it if we do, but a lot of them sit there like a hawk while we do it, complain if one thing is in the wrong bag, cause a fuss etc but don't bother to do it for themselves, they just sit and watch. And when it's time to pay, they spend a further 3 weeks counting the money out in 5p coins. This always seems to happen at my till on Sundays.
One day I'll put a stop to it by going dressed like this:
As a student I have to put up with working in a supermarket whilst trying to get enough qualifications for a career I really want.
I've seen it all in the last 2 years of being at this supermarket. People s
tting on the toilet floor rather than in the toilet, the numerous "where are the crisps?" when we are standing by the crisps. Customers arguing with the manager, one turned into a shouting match and all of us staff were in stitches. But one thing that really bugs me is the elderly. They have all week to come in and buy their tub of cat food and some teabags. So why come in on the busiest days of the week when all the people who've been at work all week come in? Why clog up the aisles? The best example I ever saw was an old lady reaching for the grapes on one shelf, while pushing her trolley across the aisle, causing a queue of about 20 people. Yesterday, I was tidying up the medicines aisle. I could hear an old lady mumbling to herself behind me. Mostly incoherent, but the word "piles" came up. I was then tapped on the back, by this old lady, who demanded to know why was I ignoring her? I apologised as I didn't realise she was talking to me (didn't even her an excuse me can you help me? or anything like that so how was I meant to know when I'm facing the opposite direction?) anyway she demands quite loudly do we have a better piles cream as she has tried Anusol and it didn't work.
And who hasn't seen the old ladies grand prix? 20 old dears, one aisle. They bash trollies into everything in sight, running over people's toes, even knocking staff to the floor on some occasions.
And please don't get me started on tills. I get told to open up a till by the boss, so I start walking over. as soon as I press a button on the till, 200000 old people come out of nowhere. And they're always at my till, never at anyone else's. Obviously we have to ask if they want their bags packed. The old ladies like it if we do, but a lot of them sit there like a hawk while we do it, complain if one thing is in the wrong bag, cause a fuss etc but don't bother to do it for themselves, they just sit and watch. And when it's time to pay, they spend a further 3 weeks counting the money out in 5p coins. This always seems to happen at my till on Sundays.
One day I'll put a stop to it by going dressed like this:
I'm feeling it bruv as a retail worker 
We don't really do bag packing at our place. But you have to ask a customer if they'd like a bag. They just stand there looking at it as they expect you to pack it for them.
Sorry love, you'll get a smile but I'm not that friendly.
Also had a women ask me if we sell knicker elastic, very odd indeed.
We don't really do bag packing at our place. But you have to ask a customer if they'd like a bag. They just stand there looking at it as they expect you to pack it for them.
Sorry love, you'll get a smile but I'm not that friendly.
Also had a women ask me if we sell knicker elastic, very odd indeed.
Edited by TehMonkey on Monday 31st August 01:14
They do this at the fking post office as well. When I was at school I never had time to go the post office, so if I had to go I would go in on Saturday morning (and my bank was a state owned one that operated through the post office) before work. Every time there was a huge bloody line of old people all buying stamps and sharing their life stories with the cashier. Drove me bloody mental. I have changed banks since.
king post office as well. When I was at school I never had time to go the post office, so if I had to go I would go in on Saturday morning (and my bank was a state owned one that operated through the post office) before work. Every time there was a huge bloody line of old people all buying stamps and sharing their life stories with the cashier. Drove me bloody mental. I have changed banks since. I once worked in a supermarket, it was fking st. Most of the morons who worked therr had no desire to ever do anything else apart from the odd student or post grad manager.
I learned what having the social status close to a bin man or maccy d's worker was really like. IE treated like a.
Never again.
I'm looking for part time stuff when I start my degree in a few weeks but refuse to work in a supermarket.
king st. Most of the morons who worked therr had no desire to ever do anything else apart from the odd student or post grad manager.I learned what having the social status close to a bin man or maccy d's worker was really like. IE treated like a
.Never again.
I'm looking for part time stuff when I start my degree in a few weeks but refuse to work in a supermarket.
Spending a moment and being polite with the elderly for one moment during your job costs you nothing. They are old. Things are not as straight forward for most of them anymore.
If it wasn't for all those elderly customers you might not have that part time job. Wise up! I know it might not be the best job in the world but a different attitude can make it more bearable.
To be honest I find a lot of students (not all may I add) to be the ones to avoid when I need to ask for something when out shopping.
You can usually spot the ones who don't want to be there. Just because they hate their part time job doesn't mean they have to be rude when I ask them for something. It's not my fault that someone else gave them grief 5 mins earlier and they were not mature enough to deal with it. So don't sigh, tut or mutter under your breath at me because you are being asked to do your job.
and fook me its that time of year when all the students are looking for jobs and chrimbo is round the corner. Shopping was bearable for a couple months just past. I find Tescos and Morrisons the worst offenders in employing useless and feckless student staff. Asda and Sainsburys seem to weed them out at the interview stage.
Treat people with a bit of respect and it might just come back to you.
If it wasn't for all those elderly customers you might not have that part time job. Wise up! I know it might not be the best job in the world but a different attitude can make it more bearable.
To be honest I find a lot of students (not all may I add) to be the ones to avoid when I need to ask for something when out shopping.
You can usually spot the ones who don't want to be there. Just because they hate their part time job doesn't mean they have to be rude when I ask them for something. It's not my fault that someone else gave them grief 5 mins earlier and they were not mature enough to deal with it. So don't sigh, tut or mutter under your breath at me because you are being asked to do your job.
and fook me its that time of year when all the students are looking for jobs and chrimbo is round the corner. Shopping was bearable for a couple months just past. I find Tescos and Morrisons the worst offenders in employing useless and feckless student staff. Asda and Sainsburys seem to weed them out at the interview stage.
Treat people with a bit of respect and it might just come back to you.
Edited by V8A*ndy on Monday 31st August 04:02
V8A*ndy said:
Spending a moment and being polite with the elderly for one moment during your job costs you nothing. They are old. Things are not as straight forward for most of them anymore.
If it wasn't for all those elderly customers you might not have that part time job. Wise up! I know it might not be the best job in the world but a different attitude can make it more bearable.
To be honest I find a lot of students (not all may I add) to be the ones to avoid when I need to ask for something when out shopping.
You can usually spot the ones who don't want to be there. Just because they hate their part time job doesn't mean they have to be rude when I ask them for something. It's not my fault that someone else gave them grief 5 mins earlier and they were not mature enough to deal with it. So don't sigh, tut or mutter under your breath at me because you are being asked to do your job.
and fook me its that time of year when all the students are looking for jobs and chrimbo is round the corner. Shopping was bearable for a couple months just past.
Treat people with a bit of respect and it might just come back to you.
Good post.If it wasn't for all those elderly customers you might not have that part time job. Wise up! I know it might not be the best job in the world but a different attitude can make it more bearable.
To be honest I find a lot of students (not all may I add) to be the ones to avoid when I need to ask for something when out shopping.
You can usually spot the ones who don't want to be there. Just because they hate their part time job doesn't mean they have to be rude when I ask them for something. It's not my fault that someone else gave them grief 5 mins earlier and they were not mature enough to deal with it. So don't sigh, tut or mutter under your breath at me because you are being asked to do your job.
and fook me its that time of year when all the students are looking for jobs and chrimbo is round the corner. Shopping was bearable for a couple months just past.
Treat people with a bit of respect and it might just come back to you.
Edited by V8A*ndy on Monday 31st August 03:53
If your not happy with your job, dont f
king do it. Enough other people waiting in the wings who can be polite and treat people with respect.
I find most people who go into supermarkets remove brains at the door. OAP or not and do not forget, you will be there one day when you are not at your best and age has let you down (as it has now but it gets you in later life as well).
But to clear the jams of every day flotsam and jetsam that clog up the isles they should fit gattling guns to the trollies, WWI biplane fighter style with and extra one for students.
But to clear the jams of every day flotsam and jetsam that clog up the isles they should fit gattling guns to the trollies, WWI biplane fighter style with and extra one for students.
Well, "elderly" people have obviously been around alot longer that any "students". Most have contributed much, much more to soceity either financially or socially than any student, so a bit of respect is due to them.
One of the main reasons "students" are in a position to study is because of the tax contributions over many years made by those who are now elderly which have allowed colleges/universities to exist and be funded.
As has already been said, if you don't like working in a supermarket then don't. However, you will come across people alot older than yourself in all other areas/jobs in life and you should respect these people for their experience both in work and in life.
One of the main reasons "students" are in a position to study is because of the tax contributions over many years made by those who are now elderly which have allowed colleges/universities to exist and be funded.
As has already been said, if you don't like working in a supermarket then don't. However, you will come across people alot older than yourself in all other areas/jobs in life and you should respect these people for their experience both in work and in life.
If find shopping at the same time as old people irritating.
Old people can only walk in a straight line when you are behind them. If you try to pass them they veer off in your direction whichever side you want to pass.
Why do they shop in pairs and take two trolleys. They only want a tin of cat food, a pint of milk, a small loaf, and a custard slice. But they have to have two trolleys and walk side by side. It's the OAP's version of elephant racing, they are so wide you cannot get around them, they are completely unaware of their surroundings and don't move to the side. Woe by tide anyone who asks to pass, they automatically lauch into the war speech (it was 75 years ago you old trout unless you are 90 you can't have fought in it).
Could they use one trolley, YES, will they use one trolley, NO.
When they get to the checkout they stand just far enough back to not be in the queue, but close enough to stop anyone else. When the queues move they decide which one they want to be in and move to that in their 'saved' place. They would rather chat than put their items on the conveyor belt. Where does that look come from when you have the audacity to reach over to put the divider between their shopping and yours (because they don't) you would have thought I'd raped their precious cat rather than help them out.
When they have got all their items through the till a whole new world of pain opens up. They are asked to pay. Panic sets in they look at each other, pass a few words then suddenly realise that their purse is in their hands, this shocks them even though they have just packed the carrier bags one handed. They open the purse check the amount again, get some coppers out, check the amount again, get some notes out, check the amount again, put their purse down, check the amount again, put some money into the cashiers hands, then it comes "I need another 17p please" the old bat looks disgusted, I know you need 17p but I was trying no to pay it.
Thankfully now my pain is gone I'm at the front I smile at the cashier we both roll our eyes, our shared pain. Then from behind me "where are my T-bags!" You have bough any "but I came for T-bags" she will not move until someone has run round the store to fetch her some T-bags, yes dear you have to pay from them as well. Re-read the saga for paying again.
I will not go into the pain of watching old people in the car park with the inability to drive either trolleys or cars.
You know the £5.00 to get my food delivered is worth every penny.
Old people can only walk in a straight line when you are behind them. If you try to pass them they veer off in your direction whichever side you want to pass.
Why do they shop in pairs and take two trolleys. They only want a tin of cat food, a pint of milk, a small loaf, and a custard slice. But they have to have two trolleys and walk side by side. It's the OAP's version of elephant racing, they are so wide you cannot get around them, they are completely unaware of their surroundings and don't move to the side. Woe by tide anyone who asks to pass, they automatically lauch into the war speech (it was 75 years ago you old trout unless you are 90 you can't have fought in it).
Could they use one trolley, YES, will they use one trolley, NO.
When they get to the checkout they stand just far enough back to not be in the queue, but close enough to stop anyone else. When the queues move they decide which one they want to be in and move to that in their 'saved' place. They would rather chat than put their items on the conveyor belt. Where does that look come from when you have the audacity to reach over to put the divider between their shopping and yours (because they don't) you would have thought I'd raped their precious cat rather than help them out.
When they have got all their items through the till a whole new world of pain opens up. They are asked to pay. Panic sets in they look at each other, pass a few words then suddenly realise that their purse is in their hands, this shocks them even though they have just packed the carrier bags one handed. They open the purse check the amount again, get some coppers out, check the amount again, get some notes out, check the amount again, put their purse down, check the amount again, put some money into the cashiers hands, then it comes "I need another 17p please" the old bat looks disgusted, I know you need 17p but I was trying no to pay it.
Thankfully now my pain is gone I'm at the front I smile at the cashier we both roll our eyes, our shared pain. Then from behind me "where are my T-bags!" You have bough any "but I came for T-bags" she will not move until someone has run round the store to fetch her some T-bags, yes dear you have to pay from them as well. Re-read the saga for paying again.
I will not go into the pain of watching old people in the car park with the inability to drive either trolleys or cars.
You know the £5.00 to get my food delivered is worth every penny.
OP in "st! I didn't realise pensioners might have a life and important stuff to do during the week as well" shocker! 
Consider the ailments you might suffer when you're an octogenarian - then consider that GPs and hospital clinics don't always run at the weekends. Couple that with possibly having to rely on public transport, and you have a lot of wasted time, thus stuff like shopping gets relegated to the weekend.
Oh, and the fact that they've probably been doing the 9-5 Mon-Fri working/taxpaying/funding our student loans routine for a huge chunk of their lives, and are just used to it.
Suck it up, as I'm sure some of them might have told you, they pay your wages
t! I didn't realise pensioners might have a life and important stuff to do during the week as well" shocker! Consider the ailments you might suffer when you're an octogenarian - then consider that GPs and hospital clinics don't always run at the weekends. Couple that with possibly having to rely on public transport, and you have a lot of wasted time, thus stuff like shopping gets relegated to the weekend.
Oh, and the fact that they've probably been doing the 9-5 Mon-Fri working/taxpaying/funding our student loans routine for a huge chunk of their lives, and are just used to it.
Suck it up, as I'm sure some of them might have told you, they pay your wages
Technonotice said:
I once worked in a supermarket, it was fking st. Most of the morons who worked therr had no desire to ever do anything else apart from the odd student or post grad manager.
I learned what having the social status close to a bin man or maccy d's worker was really like. IE treated like a.
Never again.
I'm looking for part time stuff when I start my degree in a few weeks but refuse to work in a supermarket.
I used to love my old job in the Co-op. Low stress, have a chat with the regulars, free cups of tea. Brilliant.king st. Most of the morons who worked therr had no desire to ever do anything else apart from the odd student or post grad manager.I learned what having the social status close to a bin man or maccy d's worker was really like. IE treated like a
.Never again.
I'm looking for part time stuff when I start my degree in a few weeks but refuse to work in a supermarket.
dpbird90 said:
Obviously we have to ask if they want their bags packed.
Why is it that when I pop to the supermarket at lunchtime and buy just one or two items, I am asked this question by the drone behind the till? I can appreciate that if I had undertaken my weekly shop I may need a bit of help, but I think I can manage to put my sarnie and bottle of pop in a bag myself. Are they not taught to think for themselves rather than just regurgitating supermarket policies?Also
TehMonkey said:
We don't really do bag packing at our place. But you have to ask a customer if they'd like a bag.
Why is it when I say "yes I would like some bags please" that I'm looked at like I've just shat on their till, and then I'm only actually given two or three, even though the cashier can clearly see that I have a full conveyor belt of shopping and that there is still more in the trolley to unload? Again, I appreciate it must be store policy, but if I need bags for some of my shopping, I'm more than likely going to need bags for the rest of it too....Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff