I went to Morrisons today…
Hi
This morning, Dave went to work, and I decided to sort out a few domestic chores. Loaded the washing machine and the dishwasher, checked all the dates on the stuff in the fridge, threw a couple of jars of pickle away, because the date was pre-covid! And much as I often dispute the Best Before date, even I had to admit that 2019 was stretching it a bit!
Then I went to Morrisons, which is not a shop I use often. I’m not affiliated with any supermarket chain in particular. Although my heart is with M&S – probably due to my darling Nan, who only ever shopped at Marks – the prices are often too high for my palette nowadays. I shop where I fancy. Sometimes Waitrose, sometimes Marks or Lidls, sometimes Tescos. Well, today it was raining, and so I went for the underground carpark at Morrisons! Just needed a few things, but I came away with a head full of thoughts and observations. As I was strolling down the aisles, looking for a particular liquid soap that you use for woollens and delicate clothes (without much joy I might add) exchanging a smile here and a little banter there, I got to watch an elderly lady standing alone, looking quite forlorn and fragile. I held back, to see whether she was ok, and whether she was indeed with anybody. After a minute or so, her husband came along, and gently slid his arm through hers. It was so fleeting, that I would never have even noticed it, but for the fact that I was watching her to check she was ok. He had gone to look for something but had evidently had as much luck as me. I watched them slowly move on, arm in arm. They were much slower than the other traffic in the aisle, and he shielded her from the hustle and bustle of people dashing around.
And it occurred to me. My pace in the supermarket was closer to theirs than the young people whizzing around. I can clearly remember those days, when Grace and Mark were young, rushing through my shopping, and quietly wondering why elderly people, pensioners, had to do their shopping on a Saturday morning. I never said it – but I did think it. And I recall telling myself off for being so judgemental. I concluded even back then, that they can shop whenever and wherever they like! Maybe they enjoy the company and the banter and the busy. Maybe old habits die hard, and they’ve always done the weekly shop on a Saturday morning. It’s none of my business! But maybe they’re lonely. Maybe Saturday mornings at Morrisons, or Marks, or Lidls or Tescos is the one time of the week when they get to be surrounded by youth and other people, exchange a smile and a word with people in their community.
When I got to the till, the same couple was in front of me. They had forgotten to bring a shopping bag, and I could see they were reluctant to buy yet another one. I have to admit I did jump in and offer them one of mine. (A posh Waitrose one! Hahaha). They were very grateful They then had a struggle with the pin, because they couldn’t see the keys, and they got flustered. He even got a little embarrassed, but they just needed a little more time. It was fine.
The point I am making is this. I left Morrisons with a nice basket of shopping, and a head full of observations. And I KNOW which was more important.
Work hard and be nice to people.
Love always,
Barb x x x
22 thoughts on “I went to Morrisons today…”
One of the things I love about living in Highland is that you can’t go to the supermarket without having a lovely chat with someone, usually a stranger. Did you know, some supermarkets even have a special till for people who need to go slower and want to have a conversation? I think they should all do that!
Kindness costs nothing, but can mean the world to someone xx
It’s the small things Barb x that’s what makes you special xxx Sue. X
That is why you are so loved by so many of us. You remind us in your gentle way to be kind and to consider others.
As Susan has said it costs us nothing, yet so many are so nasty these days. It deeply saddens me 😞
This is another reason why I hate the self checkouts that are becoming more and more frequently the only way you can check out. It puts so much pressure on people to do everything quickly and be gone ! It would be nice if more people had your patience and understanding Barb ! xx
We now go shopping on Thursdays because it is quieter and the fresh stuff is still good for the weekend. I’m afraid people are impatient with older people. It is the same on the roads. The moment the see an older person behind the wheel, they start intimidating tactics! It costs nothing to be kind.
We like Aldi and M&S. Tesco when we are forced to haha.
I don’t always write a message Barbara but I so enjoy reading your blog .I totally agree with you .The world we live in is for everyone no matter what stage in life we are at .The same for impatient drivers ,we all had to learn at some point or might be having a difficult day .
As a company I see Clarity there for everyone ,beginner ,improver or just observer .Being able to watch on Clarity TV, U tube or rewind is like being able to pop to the shop for a chat or good company .
I do hope the choppy waters you find around you make make way for many good things for Clarity family now and in the future .You are special .
Carmel xxx
Gone are the days when we would cruise all the supermarkets especially before Christmas and I miss this.
We geriatrics normally shop once a week at Morrisons early morning. Unfortunately the shelves are not always filled at that time of day or some things are not available which means a trip to Tesco’s on Sunday. However the tills at Morrisons are usually well manned and the operators know us now and are patient with me. As hubby is now on oxygen and on a mobility buggy I have to do all the loading and packing myself which is uncomfortable. I usually smile at the people waiting behind me and apologise for the delay and at the end thank them for their patience. It works wonders.
There are many people worse off than us so we smile and count our blessings.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
A lovely thoughtful blog as ever. How kind to give them a bag. What is life if we cannot be kind to strangers and those less able. We helped a poor soul to the toilets at the services on the way home, amid everyone rushing.
lovely story Barb and I wouldn’t have expected less from you, a little kindness goes a long way these days. Last time I needed that special washing liquid I had to get it on line, you know the one I mean, named after a big river, came the next day too.
I’m getting to be a slow shopper but can still help people to get items off the top shelf as I have my height! Many people living on their own do just that, enjoy being part of life and enjoy the brief chat as I do, so hope those self service tills don’t take over. It’s good to chat to the cashier. X
Well Thelma you and I are on the page, the same Paragraph, Same Line, and if I see someone ( old or Young) who have only got a basket and I have a Trolly I ALLWAYS without doubt ) offer them to go in front of Me, WHY!!, because that is what I would expect someone to do for Me, not because I am more important than them, oh no! just doing a kindness, something that we don`t encounter enough these day`s,
I used to think the same when working and try not to shop at weekends now I don’t. Actually I have it delivered now but nice to visit a supermarket now and again. I vary mine. I like to think I’m helpful when I can be though. I’m off to Aldi when it opens in the morning as I want one of the electric airers that are supposed to be in tomorrow !
Thanks for speedy delivery of the new plates this week, loved you and Paul doing the shows ! Also the Christmas bow wows! Have a good Sunday xx
Shopping habits have changed or is it the fact that I am older & have more time to shop !! Like others if I see someone behind me with just a couple of items I offer for them to come in front although these days with self checkouts that is not happening so often. I always treat people with same curtesy that I hope will be shown to me when those awkward moments happen. We can all have them. I am sure the couple you helped will have been thankful once they got home & thought about what happened.
Have a good weekend everyone x
So true that so many people are only focused on themselves now and not who and what is around them. Social connection is so vital to all our wellbeing.
Have to confess I do ‘click & collect’ these days, but always have a nice chat with the lovely Ashok who works the shift when I’m picking up my shopping. Mind you, I inevitably then need to pop into the main store to get the two or three things I forgot to order – my memory sure ain’t what it used to be either…!
Ooer…I recognise that couple, and a bit of me too!
I have always tried to treat others as I would like to be treated. I was on a bus the other day and got chatting to a city guide (which is what I did too) and I realised that it takes a certain type of person to be a guide – we are chatty types. I often get chatting to older folk in the supermarket (I go on Tuesdays) it generally involves a bit of a laugh. I wonder if your couple go on the bus as buses are generally quieter on Saturdays!
You won’t miss that bag and it has gone to a good home!
Love
Maggie (York UK)
Lovely blog as always. What those young impatient people forget is that, God willing, they will be older and slower one day too. Like many above I dislike the self service check outs I’m a human not a robot. Hope you and Dave enjoy your weekend xxx
Hello Barbara what a wonderful blog , how much better would the world be if we all showed a little patience and kindness towards others . I was brought up that way so I hope I do so. I now have my husband in care and go in every day to feed him lunch and to see him, but it quickly became evident that many have no visitors so I do my very best to speak to all of them at sometime, even though with dementia they don’t always understand it has become evident that they now recognise me and look forward to a kind word, bless them. lots of love Suexxx
Hello Barb, this touched my heart. Kindness costs you nothing, and could be that persons lifeline, so sending you hugs and thanks for that. Bx
Male shopper here, have a list, at least we come home with what we went for…. usually. Love Morrisons, wife worked there for years, she chats with ex staff and I get stuff on the list while other items fall in the trolley as if by magic. Hate the self service checkouts, always chat with cashiers, personal touches make life pleasant, a lot like the Clarity products which I use regularly. Take time to chill and interact with people, oldies deserve our consideration, as do young stressed Mums. Marks and Waitrose are intimidating, always have security on our tail, perhaps our casual approach to clothing makes us stand out, though the money always goes through. Keep up the good work, your enthusiasm makes me stretch my artistic efforts each time I try.
It is always good to be kind – we never know what someone else may be having to deal with!
Kindness is crucial xxx
I always think maybe an older person could be really alone with no one to talk too, so go shopping slowly.
I was brought up to smile and say , morning, well I’m a chatter box so it’s easy.
But to get a morning back may be the only word for days from a silver haired person who lives alone.
Now I’m one of the silver haired people who shops coop or Asda every Monday morning, but I still smile or say Morning….and hope it helps someone.
I work on the tills and love to pass the time of day with my lovely customers and remember that those few words we pass between each might be the only conversations that they might have with someone all day and I like to try and make sure they leave the till with a smile on their faces.