[Janelle Ward]

Dedicated shopping hours were introduced for older Aussies and those with a disability when panic buying during COVID lockdowns caused major supply issues. Now, some frustrated shoppers say supermarkets need to introduce ‘boomer hours’ for grocery shopping.

Their problem? Busy parents shopping in peak times say boomers and their trolleys are blocking aisles while they chat with friends and the check-out operator.

Respondents to a Herald Sun online poll (centred on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne – a retirement hotspot) say they want those aged over 50 to be “more mindful” of other shoppers, especially the “working class and busy parents”.

Needless to say, the finding lit up social media as locals debated the need for boomers to improve their shopping manners.

One critic said: “This means not using the entire width of supermarket aisles as a catch-up spot to discuss what cruise Bazza’s on, or how the tenants in Jenny’s 13th investment property are really grinding her gears because they want the aircon fixed before summer. Not at 5pm on a weekday.”

Another said he was more concerned about how boomers shopped, rather than when they shopped, “which is usually blocking three freezer doors or a full aisle, or standing at the register telling the 15-year-old girl about her gas bill discount, while people behind me are going insane.”

Are you guilty of blocking aisles while you chat or holding up the check-out process? Should other shoppers be a little more patient?

[Woodstock]

I really think to write a column like this is a reflection of our present culture. It wasn’t like this when i was young. You had respect for others otherwise your father might take time out to give you some advice. You would never wish to need that advice again.

Please get off the identity group decimation. Particularly the old white men ‘boomers’, who are an endorsed target in our present culture. My recommendation is to look up how to spell ‘respect’. Then look it up again to make sure.

Ray Graham

Swansea NSW

[Jacka]

The poor old so-called Boomers cop it again, this time in the supermarkets, unbelievable. Where I shop in supermarkets the only problem are parents with their unruly, undisciplined children running around, screaming, touching everything, grabbing things, mummy can I have this, mummy can I have that, That’s The Problem. I’ve been an advocate of children being banned from supermarkets for many years. Parents should leave their children at home or with a friend while they go to supermarket to do their shopping, they get it done a lot quicker and buy what they need, if they have the intelligence to make a list. Then They Wouldn’t Clutter The Supermarkets. They don’t seem to have any problem dumping their children in childcare (at Taxpayers’ Payers Expense) for the greater part of their young lives, why inflict them upon the general public in supermarkets. Perhaps yet another “Reality Check” for the somewhat Rude, Disrespectful Young Of Today’s Society. JACKA.

[[email protected]]

I am a boomer and let the people after me proceed through the checkout especially when they are making small purchases. We are not in a hurry. What happened to good manners.

[Stone the Crows]

If these people don’t like shopping with the Boomers in the supermarket or anywhere else for that matter they should go else where
Us older folk should not be pushed around in the shops ,in the car ,footpaths etc
Please remember those people who are complaining
You will get old as time goes on

[Cosmo]

I’m with Jacka on this. I don’t want to buy fruit and vegetables that have been poured over and fondled by a bunch of out of control, snotty nosed brats which their mothers can’t control. I don’t see why I need to be delayed by breeder reactors whose kids block or chase around supermarket aisles dislodging products as they go for other shoppers to relocate.
To avoid most of this We have kept to our Covid shopping time, around 7.30am when we avoid most ‘impatient mums’and we are much more likely to be shopping with kids shopping for breakfast before school because their time poor mothers couldn’t be bothered.

[Author]

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