Standards slipping - or is it just me?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I think eating in shops is just not on,no matter who does it or whatever the kind of shop.
I certainly don't want whatever it is I'm buying to be tainted by food smells or debris.
I have a friend who runs a wedding gown business and they actually had children eating ice creams come in while the parents wandered round looking at stock worth thousands of pounds.
Makes you wonder if these people are just plain stupid or just ignorant.

Oldernotwiser

dmg24 wrote: »

There are much more harmful things that a person could be doing than eating in a shop. Maybe you should be more accepting of those with different values to yourself?

Unfortunately it's that sort of thinking that's got UK society to the low point it's at today.

ShaneUK

ceridwen wrote: »

....and yes I even expect that any man walking along the pavement with me will be on the outside edge of the pavement (a similar reason still applies to the original one - I believe it originated to protect a woman from getting splashed by "all sorts" by a passing coach and horses. To my mind that particular custom still applies though - as a woman can still be splashed with a puddle of rainwater by a passing car).

My nan taught me that one years ago, always walk on the side of the pavement nearest the road when walking with a lady. And for the exact reason you describe - so that the female doesn't get splashed by a passing car. My girlfriend however doesn't believe this rings true, as the person walking with the female could quite easily (if they wanted!) "push" them into a corner. I can see where she is coming from, and I can also see my nan's point of view! So - is there a correct side to walk on!!

ginnersinner

dmg24 wrote: »

I think you are overreacting. Personally, I find people eating in public quite unpleasant, but I do accept that it is their right to do so (unless the shop has a policy whereby it is not allowed).

I would question whether you would have had such a problem if the person was more to your taste, and eating something more to your liking?

I continue to be amazed at the number of people who labour under the misconception that shops are public places. They are not. They are private premises into which you are invited in order to purchase goods. The proprietors of these premises can, therefore, place whatever conditions or restrictions they like on entry to the premises, and remove anyone they want to without having to give any reason. It's exactly like your house - you can let in or not let in anyone you like, and throw anyone you like out.

As to the behaviour described here, I think it's filthy, and if the person had been 'more to her taste' they probably wouldn't have been eating. It's just indicative of this chav's general disregard for rules, and self-centred upbringing and lifestyle, which probably also manifests itself in more serious ways.

Welshwoofs

olias wrote: »

Is it just me or does anyone else find this sad?

No, it's not just you.

I was told as a child that "eating whilst walking along is extremely common".

It's something which really does make my lip curl because when it's done, it usually comes with a slew of other unappetising habits such as eating whilst talking and dropping litter.

I don't bother waiting for other people to intervene in these situations, I just pipe up myself. In that case I'd have coughed loudly and asked the chavess loudly if she were perhaps lost, then when she asked (or grunted) why, I'd have said "Because you appear to have mistaken a supermarket for a restaurant. Now would you please take your chips and your appalling eating habits outside."

Amistoso_2

Can I just say that manners are nothing to do with

A) how old you are
what clothes you wear
C) How much dissposible income you have
D) What job you want to do when you leave school

etc,etc

There are obviously some very snobby people on this thread, I think parents should teach their children manners, in my oppinion most do. Please don't stereotype everyone of a certain age group or by how they dress as having no manners, you just can't generalise like that. I know a few OAP's who are rude and short tempered and eat with their mouths open, doesn't mean they all do it. Don't judge a book by it's cover, give everyone a fair chance before you pass judgement.

Dave101t

yeah, you snobs, how dare you criticise this girl for eating in a supermarket. you should criticise her for not having a job, leaving school with no qualifications, living on our tax deductions, and possibly abusing her children that she had at 13.
and this isnt judgemental because they are all like that, every single one of them.
i must the the fuddiest, duddiest 26 year old there is!

Amistoso_2

Dave101t wrote: »

yeah, you snobs, how dare you criticise this girl for eating in a supermarket. you should criticise her for not having a job, leaving school with no qualifications, living on our tax deductions, and possibly abusing her children that she had at 13.
and this isnt judgemental because they are all like that, every single one of them.
i must the the fuddiest, duddiest 26 year old there is!

mrsJeckyl

I was taught not to eat in supermarkets or in any kind of shops (I am 35). As the mother of toddlers I now often give them something to eat to keep them quiet when we are in a shop (normally if they are in the buggy or the trolley), but i try to make sure it is something like raisons or rice cakes (nothing that will mark or stain if dropped etc. When they start school, this will stop.

LemonGrove

olias wrote: »

Just returned from my local Coop supermarket. In front of me in the checkout queue I was unfortunate enough to experience the delightful sights, sounds and smells of a local chavette (think Jordan wannabe, all pink velour tracksuit, Ugg boots and too much make up:rolleyes:) tucking into her takeaway of what looked like chips and curry sauce. All the while this delightful creature never drew breath from loudly proclaiming her last nights exploits to her chavette friends and hangers on. This gave me the equally delightful view of her semi masticated food to which she added fork after forkful of the healthy snack.

After she was served and left the store, I commented to the cashier that it was not really on to allow people to wander round the supermarket scoffing their malaodourous takeaways. She replied, 'well there's nothing I can do about it is there?' 'Well yes, you can.' I replied. 'You're a member of staff here, you could have asked her when she came in, to please wait outside while she finishes her chips!' - The checkout was the only one open and sited right by the entrance.

What really saddened me was that the cashier ended by saying that she didn't see what the problem was, and I could tell by her face, that she indeed, really didn't understand why there was anything wrong. The cashier was not a child, but a grown woman in her early thirties.

Is it just me or does anyone else find this sad?

Oh, and by the way, I am not some old fuddy duddy, but very youthful looking, thinking and acting 40 year old.

Olias

If I was the cashier, what I wouldn't like is being told how to do my job. I'd be more annoyed about that than the Chavette munching her munch in my Co-Op.