Preparedness for when

jk0

Thanks GQ. You just reminded me of a youtube clip I saw yesterday that brought tears to my eyes, (and I'm no softie.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1r2GF7ovL0

nuatha

Cappella wrote: »

Originally posted by MrsLurcherWalker


Has someone stirred things up here? I do hope not, that's not a pleasant thought.

It happens from time to time.
Generally the best thing to do is ignore it - Please note I do not always heed my own advice.
Its also not unusual for trolling posts to be removed, leaving few traces of their passing. Persistent trolls get their posting privilege revoked (PPR). Many seem to forget this is not a public space, but a publicly accessible space, which is generally very welcoming but does have house rules and enforcers.

I was just beginning to feel a huge sense of relief at finally meeting like-minded people after years of being made to feel weird at work for preferring to spend my life enjoying wildlife, gardening, growing my own and trying to be as self sufficient as possible rather than spending it just watching tv and shopping, as most of my colleagues did. I like to be prepared for everyday emergencies, small and large, and this thread has made me aware of other scenarios that I haven't explored or considered previously

You are among like minded folk, and its a joy to communally share information and ideas with people who have similar outlooks and a range of experiences.
Unfortunately there are people who see our existence as a challenge to their own - generally they are more visible online where they can hide behind the pseudo-anonymity of a net name or handle. They can even be useful, this morning's troll provoked several posts about oral history (a love of mine).
As internet fora go, MSE is a remarkably safe and sane place (well the OS board is, I rarely venture elsewhere hereabouts) but the odd troll helps remind us that it is an open environment and that anyone can read what we post and it is useful to be conscious that what we say and do can be real life identifiers.

GQ with access to Lidl's puters I could identify which branch you probably used, which day you shopped and identify a dozen of so possible people on CCTV that may be you - given other information you've posted, that could probably be narrowed down to one poor unsuspecting sole who happened to buy avocados and carrots while you were actually doing so in Aldi

GreyQueen

It's very sad, and heart-warming about the good samaritans at the same time.

I have unhappy memories about grocery shopping with Mum as a child, when it was always cash and we didn't always have enough to cover the basket of goods and some of them would have to be deducted until the money came up right. Just working-class folks with a not a lot of earned money.

It was still humilating (Mum doesn't excel at mental arithemetic and cheap pocket calculators were still in the future, so it was a common occurance).

Picture this:

Back in the DWP Office, a few months further into the near future. We are now behind the scenes.

An Official: (incredulously) What?!

A Manager; It's true, the DoleCards have all had the new software applied. Of course, no one bothers to tell us in advance, do they? There'll be hell to pay. I'd put an extra security guard on the main floor but I can't justify the expenditure to the Department. Look out for yourself out there, OK?

Staff crowd around the monitor looking at the proscribed list for DoleCard customers (never claimants). An Official remembers when they had to remind Ms Bloggs about frivilous purchases and about getting best value for the tax payer' money, as per that month's rules. Things are much stricter, now. There will be no more shopping at Shoes for anyone as they have been de-listed.

In fact, most stores have been de-listed altogether, with those which will still be allowed to take DoleCard transactions having a very very restricted list of the most basic items of food and personal care.

Some of the updates make no sense; a customer can buy a pair of Basic shoes, but not a pair of shoelaces or polish for existing shoes. Parents shopping for daughters will have to get a doctor's letter to prove that young girls have reached the menarche and need their own sanpro allowance.

Silence descends over the Officials as they read and digest the update. Faces pale and people wet lips nervously. The doors will be opening soon and the customers will start coming in. Once this hits the proverbial, a hard job will be much worse.

The mostly-female workforce look at each other. Many are obviously frightened. Others are putting on a brave face.

They'll effing kill us, someone whispers at the back. I'm not doing this, I'm out of here.

Yeah? someone says aggressively. The hell you are! Think you can afford to raise your kid on what your hubby earns on his own? You'll be down here applying for your own DoleCard as soon as your five year sanction for leaving your job expires, if you haven't starved first. Get real!

ETA; nuatha, now I remember, I bought the carrots in Tosspots and the avos in Liddly. The gin I got at Sainsbugs and the ciggies off that bloke off the market (the neighbours see me all right for Class B droogs, of course; one should always shop locally, don'tcha think?!)

flubberyzing

Sorry to hear you guys had a problem with a troll. I've been a long-time reader, and have picked up some great ideas!


I live alone, and have done most of my adult life. And I know that if there ever were a problem, even as something as relatively simple as a particularly bad winter, I'd be on my own. My nearest relative is a 45 minute drive away, and most are 2 hours away. The nearest friend is the other side of my (large, almost a city) town.


I remember back to... gosh, 3 winters ago, when a particularly cold spell left me trapped in my flat by snow and then sheet ice for the better part of a week. Fortunately, I've always kept my stock cupboard well filled, and that saw me through.
And although I've not had an incident like that since, I've always been careful to keep plenty of store cupboard/freezer meals in. Especially between October and March, when almost anything can happen weather-wise!

NewShadow

nuatha wrote: »

As internet fora go, MSE is a remarkably safe and sane place

Don't forget consensual :rotfl:

GreyQueen

NewShadow wrote: »

Don't forget consensual :rotfl:

Isn't that only on the dark web version of MSE, for adults only?

[Deleted User]

elona wrote: »

Dh's grandma who lived near Middlesborough complained bitterly when they bombed her outside loo.

That really would've been a SHTF situation.

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

Dammit, Janet

I didn't realise you were a RHS fan.

GreyQueen

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I didn't realise you were a RHS fan.

*yawn*

You've said that before at least once and possibly twice.

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

*yawn*

You've said that before at least once and possibly twice.

I've slept since then.