Tesco stopping letting customers have tray liners

This is like Groundhog Day

Every day is like Groundhog Day Doodledog

Actually, today wasn't, I went to a Real Shop - the farm shop - and chose my own food and put it into my own bags
?????????
I resisted buying an ostrich egg.

Lucca

(Can't wait to go back to Lidl)

Elegran

^"Why not wait until the shopping arrives, and ask the driver what he suggests you do?"^

But that deprives the OP of the pleasure of airing every detail of their reaction to hearing that Tesco are planning to discontinue the use of tray liners, and of laying out the logic of why he/she (for some reason I feel the poster is a man) finds that impossible to accept, along with the logistics of their current method of transferring items from the tray (and its liner) to the bags in which they can be carried through to the kitchen without coming within 2 metres of the deliveryman.

I am male.

To answer the main question. The reason that I did not wait and ask when the first such delivery occurred is that it may be some weeks ahead and I would have had it on my mind, building up anxiety until the day. So I felt the need to try to get some idea of what to do. Discussing it with others, even if they disagreed with me, would I felt help to reduce my anxiety. It has, thanks to people here.

When the problem arose I searched on the web for any discussions going on about this issue.

I found a thread from some time ago about Tesco removing bags, the time they did it before the pandemic. I had not known of this forum before.

So I thought that this forum seemed ideal as it was targeted at older people. I wondered if some would share my concerns and I also wondered, as tray liners were at this time optional, what experiences people who chose not to have tray liners were having.

I wondered if I might get a few replies. A few hours later I checked back and was amazed, and pleased, at the massive response and interest.

If one looks at the web page

www.gransnet.com/

there is the picture of a man there.

Now as time has progressed it seems that this forum seems targeted at women who are grandmothers. Yet it has been very helpful for me.

I have never purported to be female and I have not made up a username suggesting that I am female.

The only pleasure that I have got from posting here is the helpfulness of many people and learning that I am not alone in my concerns.

I went into details because of surprise expressed that it takes 20 minutes. There are underlying reasons for that which I have not shared publicly, they are not something I have simply made up.

I don't know whether being male means that I should not be allowed to post here, but I was not asked to declare that I was female and a grandmother when I registered. Maybe the rules will change, maybe not.

I did not choose my gender, yet I am content as I am, I don't go around all day thinking "I'm male, just as I do not keep thinking about the colour of my eyes. Like most people I did not choose the name that they have today and by which they are known to others. Nor did they choose their skin colour, hair colour, height, body frame type and so on. Yet all those and more are often used for hurtful and stereotyped comments by some other people if they are not much the same as that of most people.

Protecting oneself in the pandemic can be quite literally a matter of life and death. I saw the Prime Minister on television on the Friday evening before he went into hospital on the following Sunday. So I am having an abundance of caution.

I have only opened the door to anybody five times in the last year, and each time we both observed five metres social distance.

Four times for a vet collecting my elderly cat for treatment and returning him. Once to pay a driver for some non-prescription vitamins and minerals tablets delivered with the prescription items. The vitamins and minerals tablets with the knowledge and approval of my doctor.

kircubbin2000 is correct that I have no children. That is fact.

So if you want to include in this thread a sidebar discussion about whether I should be allowed to post here then please go ahead and I will read it with interest to note the discussion.

Marydoll

^Dear God in Govan^, as my mother would say! What a lot of fuss.
I'm shielding, have multiple comorbidities, can't really lift anything. If I can manage my Tesco orders, anyone can.

I do manage my Tesco orders. I am fortunate that I can at my age. I am fortunate to be alive. I am simply not going to subject myself to what I consider an unacceptable risk in the middle of a pandemic.

Yet your deduction is not correct. People with higher level frailty often cannot manage Tesco orders unaided.

ElderlyPerson, of course you are allowed to post here, I'm not sure why you would think you can't.

Why don't you pop into the Good Morning thread, you would be very welcome and find some gentle interaction.

Elderlyperson
There is no reason at all why you shouldn't post, and whether you are male or female is irrelevant.

I think the banter at the end of the thread has come about because (as often happens), the same things start being said over and over, because a lot of people don't bother to read what has already been said before they answer. As there is really not a lot that can be said about a supermarket removing the option of tray liners, things were getting a bit repetitive, to say the least.

Anyway, welcome to GN, and I hope your next delivery goes well.

Elderly person, you have no idea how frail I am or what I am unable to do.
There are few more aware of the risks of the pandemic than I am. I definitely do not underestimate the risks.

All treatment, GP visits, hospital visits, bloods test etc stopped for me. However, the difference is, I understand how to manage those risks to make life as bearable as possible. I admit to wallowing and failing on occasions, but realise that we are all human and its ok to feel that way.

Please note, I spent only one night in Coronary Care, instead of the usual four, after my most recent heart attack and was sent home, as it was deemed I would be safer at home. That's how much at risk I am.
Also, please note, I have multple comorbidities and will certainly die of Covid if I catch it. My prognosis is very poor anyway, so getting back out into the world before its too late, is a huge priority for me. Albeit apprehensive, I can't wait for that day.
I have been shielding, (still am), for thirteen months and will not be allowed to come out until after receiving my second vaccine.

My solution is to find strategies, change the way I do things, think of ways to make life less lonely. That is not at all easy. Making friends on GN is only one of them. However, we cannot expect to live as we have pre-pandemic, so we need to try and change our mindset to preserve our physical and mental wellbeing..
I do at times feel angry, sad and lonely, but then realise how fortunate I am to have survived so far.

On many occasions, I do rely on the Tesco driver, to manage the shopping, if my daughter is working and my husband is not here.
So, I put things away in stages and have frequent rests. The driver is nowhere near me, it is quite safe. Its not as if I have to be somewhere, I have plenty of time on my hands.

As you appear to be living on your own, I suspect that you may not even have huge, unmanageable deliveries.
I get the feeling that whatever solution you are offered, you will find fault.

No tray liners is at the very bottom of my list of worries! On the other hand, I do appreciate it seems to be really upsetting you, so please listen to some of the sensible advice on here.

Marydoll wrote

> I get the feeling that whatever solution you are offered, you will find fault.

If it becomes clear that I can have a routine of putting boxes - one for food - one for toiletries - on the doorstep before the driver arrives and that the drivers will all happily put the groceries in the boxes while I stay in my home behind a closed door until after the driver goes then I am happy to do that and I will be content with that arrangement.

I am happy to change my lifestyle to do my bit to help over the climate and so on, provided always that the changes are in my opinion proportionate with regard to my situation and do not expose me to risk that I consider unacceptable.

Elderlyperson, I have always found forward planning and preparation is usually the key to a successful outcome.
I have always found the call centre staff to be very helpful. It may be an idea to discuss your concerns with them, (if you haven't already done so). Hopefully they will be able to reassure you.

I hope you find a solution, which will give you peace of mind.
Good luck!

In the late 70s,early 1980s we lived in a very small country village in Tasmania. When we went to the local supermarket (independently owned) they would pack everything into brown paper bags and then take them and load them into your car boot. Now that’s service!

Elderly person. Nobody has said anything about men not being welcome.

At the risk of also being repetitive it was simply clear this thread was going round in circles with posters appearing having clearly not bothered to read more than your first post.

I hope things improve for you.

Just to add that I read yesterday that Morrisons are following Tesco in stopping the use of plastic BUT they are going to offer paper bags for customers instead. Maybe Tesco might follow suit. I have suggested it already.

Elderly Person you are welcome and free to join in any discussion on GN. There will always be some kinder responses than others so you may need a thick skin!

I believe there are quite a few men on this site.Its open to all.

Why not ask Tesco what the position is and whether you will be able to rely on the delivery driver to co-operate with your planned schedule? All that posters on Gransnet can do is to pass on their own ways of getting round the problem of stocking their cupboards without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.

You are not alone in shielding. There are several frequent posters on GN who would be in severe danger should they catch the virus. Marydoll is one of the most regular posters, and has told you of her health problems, but she is only one of many. They have had to ask for help, of which there is plenty around, freely given, and they have had to be imaginative and flexible.

I agree with whoever said that whatever suggestions anyone makes, you are set in your ways and not likely to shift from your own solution. I have said earlier in the thread that you reminded me a little of a previous acquaintance but of course I don't know you in person (He was also male, but that was just coincidence, and I think he was also on the autism spectrum which contributed to his personality. Everyone's experience with him was that he could contemplate or discuss no view on any subject but his own)

There are several men in the list of regular posters. Gransnet is not just for women! Neither is Tesco the only supermarket that delivers. Iceland, and the Co-op (Scotmid) are two of the less well-known ones. Both of them have excellent and helpful drivers.

Elegran, as usual a very sensible and measured post. ?

Marydoll

*Elegran*, as usual a very sensible and measured post. ?

Well, is it sensible and measured?

I have been linked to someone Elegran knew. Stereotyping. No details about that situation have been told to me, there may be vast differences. And even he was/is on the autism spectrum, that is not a sin. For example, some people on the autism spectrum have no empathy for anybody else's situation and some have deep empathy. It is like, say, someone finding out that someone works as, say, a window cleaner and she knew a window cleaner who stole money from elderly ladies, so THEREFORE this man etc etc from application of the Fallacy of the Undistributed Middle by her.

Elegran asked

> Why not ask Tesco what the position is and whether you will be able to rely on the delivery driver to co-operate with your planned schedule?

Because I might be told it is not possible when maybe most, even all, delivery driver's might in practice do it. So best not to ask. I might be told straight that if I don't unload the trays myself, no food.

Elegran wrote

> All that posters on Gransnet can do is to pass on their own ways of getting round the problem of stocking their cupboards without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.

That is not true. By posting here I have found out directly from people and by feedback from what one Tesco driver told his mother that there is widespread concern about this.

Elegran wrote

> I agree with whoever said that whatever suggestions anyone makes, you are set in your ways and not likely to shift from your own solution.

That is a matter for her.

She also wrote

> ... but of course I don't know you in person

So diagnosis from prejudice.

Elegran wrote

> Everyone's experience with him was that he could contemplate or discuss no view on any subject but his own

Was a survey done of everybody's opinions?

Oh, and if anyone considers that I should not reply to that comment, please remember that comments about me have been published and thus it is a Matter of Public Interest and therefore I have a right to respond.

I posted about an issue over getting my food safely in a pandemic and now I am being linked to a man born in 1943 who someone knew. Why?

Hello ElderlyPerson
I think that you need to take things on this forum a little less seriously.
I'm sure that "Elegran* really meant to be helpful. She is a very kind and, to use Mary's word, measured person.
Your last post reads as quite combative. Like I say - don't take things so seriously.
You are indeed definitely most welcome on Gransnet (I don't strictly fit the perceived criteria and have found it very welcoming and enjoyable here).

Back again - EP, I just wanted to say, I hope that starting this thread hasn't upset you or caused you any distress.
If it is bothering you for any reason, you can ask GNHQ to remove it.

I have an update, from my Tesco delivery driver, about 30 minutes ago. However, like Elderlyperson, it only one driver I have spoken too, so heresay and perhaps to be taken with a pinch of salt!

Tesco have apparently realised that this decision has implications for many of their customers, especially those who are shielding or frail . One idea which is being discussed is that only customers, who had previously requested liners, could continue to do so. They will not be available for new customers.

Elegran is a well respected poster on GN. I have met her on many occasions at meet ups and know that she is smart, sensible and very kind. She is not trying to deliberately upset you Elderlyperson, as are none of the rest of us. We are just being realistic and trying to find ways to help you, despite your reluctance to help yourself.
As I said previously, no matter what is suggested, I suspect you will reject it.

Being less combative in your posts may open doors for establishing some online friendships on here, as many of us have done. That would surely make, what appears from your posts to be a very lonely life, more pleasant for you.

What if a childless woman were being stereotyped by a bunch of men who agreed with each other and one deemed her as like a woman born in 1943 that he knew? And he was told his view was very sensible and measured. Would that be different?

What if she dared to object?

My carer does take the crates into my kitchen puts them on my kitchen table where i quickly unpack then he takes them back to the driver. This works well for me as I can’t bend to pick up the groceries however a jobsworth union rep driver refused to let us take the crates inside the house saying it’s the rules. Tesco head office however say it isn’t !! Does anyone know which other supermarkets let you add to your order through the week and take the money on the day of delivery please?

Morrisons

The update from Marydoll about developments at Tesco is very helpful. Thank you.

> As I said previously, no matter what is suggested, I suspect you will reject it.

More prejudice!

> Being less combative in your posts may open doors for establishing some online friendships on here, as many of us have done.

There we go, deemed combative because I have dared to try to delink myself from being stereotyped to someone born in 1943 that you have met.

Perhaps I deserve to be deemed beyond help and written off.

Old man. No children. Deemed as like someone a smart woman knew.

Carol they all do.
Sainsbury's, Asda, Iceland, Tesco, Morrison's, Ocado, Waitrose (I have accounts with them all!)

EP you really are overreacting.
If I were you I'd ask HQ to remove the thread, make a cup of tea and forget about it.

Sainsbury's