It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Siebrie

Or maybe it was something simple as a misshelved item? Last week, the julienne cut bacon and the cube cut bacon were shelved in each other's spot; the packaging is very similar, the word Bacon was printed in bold on both packages and on the shelf, the words Julienne and Cubed were tiny on both the packages and the shelf. There was a €1,25 price difference between them.

ladyholly

I am hopeless at maths but my basic aritmetic isnt bad. My Dad used to fire tables at me at odd times. He would just suddenly say something like whats 7 x 8. I was never that quick but usually got the right answer. I did the same with my daughter as she is also of the vintage to be taught the answers (3, 6, 9 etc) rather than the whole thing.

The thing that really helped my mental arithmetic was working behind a bar before the days of computerised tills. Serving, talking to customers and adding up rounds really concentrates the mind.

 The thing is for many people they have no need of using mental arithmetic and it is a skill that does leave you when not prctised. My trouble now is not adding up as I go round a supermarket but remenbering what the total was by the time I pick up the next item. My memory for numbers is not good.

JIL

My dad played darts when we were younger, it amazed me that the darts players could work out their scores, trebles and doubles but when it came to adding up drinks behind the bar, they couldn't do it.

We also have to think about people shopping, they often dont go alone or if they do they are often pressed for time. Its difficult to shop with children and I would think even more difficult to get a calculator or phone out to check all prices.

I remember going to our town every Saturday with my mum, we would go into four supermarkets to buy the same things each week. Each shop chosen as its goods on the list were cheaper. Plus a visit to the market. I remember going into one shop and my mum saying she forgot to buy oxos in the previous shop and we would have to go back. I pointed out they sold them in the shop we were in. Apparently they were cheaper in the other shops by 2p. I know this was more than 42 years ago, but I have never forgotten it.

Its definitely stayed with me all these years. Was the time spent in all the queues really worth the small savings?

Bluegreen143

When I was in Lidl today with each child pushing a basket on wheels I definitely didn’t have time to add up in my head as I went round, getting my items while also ensuring no passerbys or displays were bumped by my children and that I didn’t lose them was enough multitasking for me! Especially when my 3yo began to cry at one point, I’d have definitely lost track 🤦‍♀️😅 I do prefer the scan as you shop at Tesco but find the shopping cheaper at Lidl. I do have a rough figure in my head which I’d like to spend under but thankfully am not in a position where I’d need to put stuff back if it went over so I don’t need to be quite so vigilant as to add it up as I go. Which I feel very thankful for. 

weenancyinAmerica

I still don't have a cell phone. Don't know how to use my roommates either. Not everyone I know has one either. Not everyone has moved into the 21st century yet. 

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

I don’t have one either. I generally round up to the next £ for items when the amount is something & 40p or more, then round down for less than 40p 🙂 Generally works very well. I confess that I am of an age when both times tables & mental arithmetic were taught in primary school & I loved both 🙂

wondercollie

Auntycaz said:

I taught my daughter her times tables parrot fashion as the local school was trying a new method eg just the answers eg 2.4.6.8.10. How on earth do they expect them to remember teaching them that way and some of the children didn't have parent who were able to help them.

I did the same.  By the end of a 12 hour drive to Granny's house both of my boys knew their 5, 6, 7 x tables.

Got told off by a Grade two teacher because "we don't teach rote memorizaton anymore".  But guess who knew the answers?   Yup my boys and the oldest was dsylexic.

OrkneyStar

Floss said:

newlywed said:

Never burnt myself on the Bunsen burners though….

But did you ever set fire to a lab bench in the science lab? 🤔😂

I may have set fire to my bench when I worked in a 'real' lab, most of the time I was very, very careful though and thankfully didn't have any real disasters! When I think of some of the dangerous chemicals we handled every day.....

OrkneyStar

elsien said:

Last time I saw someone ask the cashier to stop at a certain amount, the booze went through before the food and the rest didn’t seem to be in any particular order. I guess it depends on the person’s definition of essential. 

Or, sadly, if they are an alcoholic or live with one, or have an abusive partner who expects the booze. While I don't even buy alcohol I always try to remind myself that I should not judge another's choices if I don't know their options. Having worked in a supermarket I often had customers with £10 ish shopping, and once they bought their cigs and alcohol the price tripled! This was over 15 years ago so it would be even more now! 

Woolsery

OrkneyStar said:

Floss said:

newlywed said:

Never burnt myself on the Bunsen burners though….

But did you ever set fire to a lab bench in the science lab? 🤔😂

I may have set fire to my bench when I worked in a 'real' lab, most of the time I was very, very careful though and thankfully didn't have any real disasters! When I think of some of the dangerous chemicals we handled every day.....

I set fire to the desk and all the stuff I was using by being a poverty stricken primary teacher who had to use a methylated spirit burner. Fortunately, meths burns at a low temperature, so I was able to open the adjacent window and  heave it all out, except the desk, which wasn't much of a problem. I then sat on the desk and said to the class "You saw nothing!"

Of course, it was all round school by home time and years later I was still being 'reminded.'