"Normal people" Just what does that mean? ASre the Elderly no longer considered to be "Normal People"? If it does then I, as an elderly person have news for them! I will do my shopping as and when I want to and not to satisfy the entirely Selfish, Self-engrossed wishes of a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears younger, self-styled "normal people". Just who the hell do these people think they are? They are typical of so many in today's society: Greddy, Selfish, self-engrossed louts who theink they are "Entitled". Nooos Flash! You are no better than any of us older people.

No infact they should be commended while they walk down the aisle good on them for living their life to the fullest

No they shouldn't be discriminated. However they should have access to a mobility friendly isle in supermarkets.

If pensioners wish to have a designated time to shop they deserve that. All people of a certain age deserve respect and dignity and patience. I feel the government need to do far more for our aging population. They deserve higher incomes, better housing and those who have served deserve free everything for life. No one, especially them should be struggling to put food on their tables and keep their homes warm or worry about fuel for the week or the money for medication or transport and help with every day things. These things should be provided free to all vets full stop.

Well being an "elderly person" myself, I find this discussion very biased against older people. I live in an active community and I lead a step class. Everyone in my class is over 55 and some are approaching 90. I myself am 78. I move better than alot of young people. In fact most of the people in this community are extremely active and can walk and even run very fast. This community has hundreds of very active, very astute, and very health minded individuals who can run around a grocery store in no time.

During the pandemic lockdown some of the supermarkets around here designated early mornings, 7:00 -7:30 for seniors, but it wasn't because they're talkative and slow. It was for their benefit, so they wouldn't have to stand in the lineups outside or at the checkout.

I'm 65 years old and I find it hard to get any respect , especially with the younger people, mostly younger men, when I was growing up and even now, respect is so important,my kids are all grown and they respect me and others, makes me proud

Everyone should have respect for the elderly

I totally agree. Just because you have had many birthdays, you still deserve to be treated just like the rest of other shoppers.

No respect for the elders anymore!!

No absolutely not.

I have see videos where the older people are pushed out of the way so the younger 1s can get what they want and even cut in line ,,,,,,,and even the ones with disabilities are treated bad .every one needs to be respected no matter what age you are

being elderly I like shopping at times suitable for me

Respect the elders, they have the right to shop at their own pace.

No Way, they have just as much right to shop when ever they need too, like the rest of us,

Just show common courtesy and respect to ALL. People with young toddlers are just as slow as the elderly. Most of us have been there and remember those days! I am 69 and like to talk but I get out of others way to do so. Everyone needs to be respectful. We will all get old if we live long enough.

Oh course not. A stupid question. They may be old and all of us will be one day. There still human.

True En/ Bird Everything comes to those who weight.!.

Hours should not be restricted, but during the pandemic, they got to go shopping in the morning before everyone else to avoid germs and I think that's a good idea to let them go early if they want to.

the younger generation are lazy selfish people who Winge about anything

Who wants to restrict shopping hours for the elderly? It is nothing but discrimination and I'm sure any store that introduces it will find it isn't that popular.

Leave us alone.We are entitled to shop when we are able.I do my shopping every fortnight I enjoy shopping when I do. LEASE US ALONE

leave US alone....we are entitled to do our shopping. I hate some of the discrimination towards US elderly folk,,,,,LEAVE US ALONE

I am also in the senior category but can be through the Supermarket a great deal faster than young mums with toddlers touching or wanting everything. I have seen many young people stop to talk to their friends but it doesn't bother me I just get on with my shopping. I think the best demonstration of an older person shopping was a time when I was going through the 12 item checkout and the lady in front of me must have been 95 plus - still on her feet, albeit with a walker. The assistant came around the counter and placed her shopping on the walker and honestly it took her 3 pushes to get moving but then she was off. Instead of being annoyed my husband and I watched her with such admiration to be doing her own shopping at that age. She was treated with respect by both staff and customers and I hope I can still do my shopping in my 90's. A little respect for each other, young or old, goes a long way and would make this a better world to live in. Keep shopping retirees!!!!

As an older person I have the right to shop without fear of discrimination, because of my age, or my walking capability. Most older people have worked very hard during their life time and I think common courtesy and respect are severely lacking now days. Surely the right to shop, drive if safe should be a right.

Thank you! Some stores do let Seniors shop earlier than others, but I'm 76 (I'll be 77 on the 30'th), and I can run through a store! I only buy 18 or less items at a time, and I can shop in 30 minutes! I really do appreciate the help Seniors are given though (AARP United Healthcare Advantage Plan). I couldn't make it without that help! ;-D

Consideration of others - some of us are a bit short on that.

I'm in the retiree category, and yes I can be talkative (because I am friendly) but I am definitely not slow. However I do see just as many young whippersnappers who are slow and talkative too but I just take it my stride: and make allowances for them-)

Well I'm one of them. Luckily I can still walk without aid. Over the past 3/4 years we've had an influx of elderly people into our suburb,mainly Asian and I haven't found any reason to want to make them shop at a particular time.I must say Monday seems to be "oldies" day for shopping. As I said I'm one!

Happens to me all the time I remember one instance at a ATM where I was mucking around with the wife but always stopped before the machine wanted to move to the next function and then while waiting for it to Think it's way out of it's problem continued mucking around with the wife. The guy behind us in line went Ape claiming we where slowing him down and he had a lot to do so I just cancelled the transaction and told him to have the robot which wasn't working right. After 25 minutes he gave up and walked away but without any sort of apology just swearing all the way down the street that those people before him had slowed him down and now the rest of his day had been destroyed.

I'm really glad to read that most peoples comments are in line with mine and that is that this proposal of allocated time slots for the elderly for shopping is ridiculous, disrespectful and discrimination! Everyone has a right to do grocery shopping when it suits them and if we start this segregation then we should be doing it across the board, which is stupidity ie seperate time slots for all ages, race, people on their mobile phones etc... surely this just cannot work!

they;re lucky they can still do that

I agree with you

Respect is gone this generation,is not teaching there kids right. Elderly have priority in my eyes .

I am sure that the elderly do not want to separated in this sense. Just others be courteous when you meet older seniors.

I find most supermarkets mainly have self checkouts now and very few manned checkouts. Obviously respect is a huge thing here. Would you not just have additional manned checkouts which the elderly would probably prefer to use anyway and then those that are in a rush can just continue using self checkouts. I shop online and have it delivered, it saves time and is more convenient so none of it really affects me anyhow, but would assume there are more respectful ways to go about things....

That's just RUDE! Talk about blatant discrimination! Whoever thought this up?

Well, I have never heard of such a disrespectful suggestion. I have tried to get past groups of young people eating and talking in the isles, and if you say excuse me, please, if they even look, they will not move unless, like I had to use their terminology, then they looked and moved. So please tell me why are they allowed to be in our way.😡

Well it hasn't happened to me (yet)It is just a thought I wonder if supermarkets had a day per week where they offer a special discount to the elderly customers only to encourage them to shop outside of very busy days /hours

Seniors were once juniors

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Thank you for having respect for those that have gone beyond three score and ten. My wife and I shop every week. She with her trolly , starts at one end and me with mine start at the other. We finish our shop at the checkout together. takes about 30 minutes. Mind you mums with strollers stop and talk , we just use another isles. We don't mind youngies taking up the isles.

i can't believe this is true but if the people who thought this up want their own space and freedom they should get their own hours say 8 pm to 9 pm where we oldies are all tucked away and resting in our beds or maybe 6 am to 7 am just to add some variation

All elderly shoppers should be given the right to shop like all other customers, allocated a certain day and time frame so they can have the opportunity to be independent . So what if they are slow , talkative, they might feel lonely they still deserve to be treated with respect. One thing people forget we are all going to get old one day or another and be in those shoes.

I consider myself elderly, nearly 70. I like the idea of having a time slot, but might not always be doable. But it is descrimination one way or the other. Good idea as some elderly need more room with their wheelie walkers, etc

Everybody needs to take a large "chill pill." Our seniors were once our juniors. They spent a lifetime paying taxes, voting (I hope), volunteering and a whole lot of other things we know bout and just as many things we don't. These are the survivor of the various wars they had no say in starting but offered up everything to end them. Those who want to slot others into their time table are just greedy, selfish, elitists and have never had to sacrifice anything, ever, to try and make a better world.

It is people on mobile phones that need their own allocated time to shop...they block up aisles...walk into you...block the shelves...and when they go to pay it is always with the phone and we all wait while they find the "app" to do it......yawn....so so tiresome

The elderly have as much right to shop whenever they want to just like us working people, even though they are slow and take their time, it is good to see them out and about, and maybe just go out for some company.

We will all be elderly someday, if we're lucky, When I shop, if I see someone struggling to reach something, I always offer to help them. They are always so grateful. Edited 26-Nov-24 15:35pm

I am DISGUSTED at the way our elderly are treated in this narcissistic country!!! I have seen first hand the disgraceful "family" members who are just waiting for these elderly people to die and collect inheritance. They are dumped in aged care facilities like you would an animal!!! In other countries they are revered as elders. Greedy governments are happy to take anything these people have worked hard for!!!! The governments here in Australia are passing laws to take away the family's RIGHT to advocate. They look for warring families and nominate those who couldn't care less. I have been through this with my father, and now with my mother. My only other sibling is a disgusting person, who leads a questionable life and threw our mother under the bus. I am in the fight for her life. I would advocate for ANY elderly person who required my help. Family MUST step in if there is abuse!!! As for me, I am going to spend EVERYTHING. I don't owe my children ANYTHING.

They need to shop too like every one else and they can shop any time they want. The supermarkets have a time where they turn down the lights so people with children who are light sensitive or overwhelmed by the shopping experience can do their shopping. We did ask one time we were shopping about it because we thought there was a brown out but that was not the case. Didn't affect us, we just went on shopping and it was good to know they do that for shoppers that require that sort of thing. I haven't heard of any thing coming into place about elderly shoppers and it would be really sad if it did. We are all going to be in their position one day so we need to show kindness, appreciation and respect to these people because they are some ones parents, brother, sister, aunt, uncle. Treat people the way we want to be treated, I was always told that as a young person and to look up to the elderly. Sadly this is what is lacking in society today. Children today don't respect any one so really what hope do we have for a future of respect, kindness and a kindred spirit for fellow human beings.

I am a senior and during the pandemic we had a separate time slot for shopping the store opened at 8 for seniors and 9 for everyone else . It was great where I live sale items are often sold out when I shop regular hours . So it would depend on the reason . But saying I cannot go to a store at certain hours that is not fair.

You are lucky if you get to be "elderly",not everyone does so be patient ,learn, help when needed and enjoy their company.I love seeing couples shopping together and holding hands.

If I was in line for a checkout cashier and there was an elderly person in a wheel chair or walker or cane I would say go forthand take my place out of courtesy as this has been done for me and I put it forwardand makes me feel good especially and the Christmas shopping rush.

Anyone eats any time of day, anyone maybe working anytime of day. So dividing shopping by age is not possible, nor is it necessary. There is another meaning behind such a ridiculous conclusion as this. Like maybe they need to slow down on the older war stories being told to younger generation during WW3.

They should be allowed to take all the time they need

please help all

How dare they be so rude. That is discriminate against the elderly. Let them get an allotted time.

Saying that there should be a time designated for the elderly to do their shopping, is making them different to other shoppers. Yes, we can be a bit slower in getting around the store for what items you want. I am 82 years old & my husband is 85 & we go shopping together. I have developed a system in how I do my shopping. I have a store layout & when I write out my shopping list, I always start of with bread & rolls, then I always put a carton of milk down & the number (2) as that item is down aisle 2, if I want Smiths crisps, I know they are down aisle (4). By doing my shopping this way, I cut out the necessity of going down every aisle & I can get my shopping done in less time.

This is a terrible idea! The elderly deserve our respect. There is only one difference between them and us- they got there first!

they can shop anytime with help or by themselves

Shoppers should all have same rights

That is discrimination. Everyone grows old.

I am an elderly and I definately do not agree we just like to take it easy and just do our shopping not in a hurry , Not sure who the normal people are hahah I thought we were all the same oh and I am 78Edited 26-Nov-24 11:54am

I am always aware if I'm holding someone up, and I get out of their way. I consider them rather it's when I'm driving or shopping!

I lost my post again! I wish someone could tell me to disable my touchpad because I use a wireless mouse, and both work together! Anyway, I'm 72, slow, and talkative. We deserve respect. I never could have guessed that I would be 72, and I will never realize I'm this old! I am happier than ever, even though I am alone with no children or family. Shopping is my time out among people, and I love sharing love with them! Younger people are always interested in my "war" stories. People need to slow down and realize that what they are worrying about means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. Quit rushing around to please people who are probably using you anyway. I am living life for me and to spread love to other people! That's all that matters to me. I would give all my material things to heal my nephew who has leukemia! That's what matters. All these daily things are meaningless. Progress has caused us more trouble than helping. I hate mobile phones. No one visits anymore just to talk to you and see how you're doing. They are attached at the hip and tracked while doing it. There will be a time when all this tracking will be used against you. I truly believe that. If everything happens, that has been discussed, things will get worse, and your gadgets will mean nothing! There will be nowhere to hide! Give up a break and realize we grew up in a much simpler time with fewer material things so we appreciate what we have and find they don't mean anything. It's people and love that are important. I love everyone!!! That's the key to peace. God bless!

Its busy and overwhelming no matter what age

No, they just should have more dedicated hours of staff to tend to them and get others in the shop to make them aware they are to be respected. Getting out of the house is important socially for them, small as a shopping trip might seem to most. I find the smaller local supermarkets do this anyway ,like IGA ,they have older checkout staff and always have a friendly chat .They do need to bring back more help I think, to take groceries out to cars ..that would be nice..give kids something to do as a weekend job for a few hours! Edited 26-Nov-24 11:40am

I never have a problem with the elderly. They are no slower than anyone else inside the shops. Why treat them differently from everyone else?

I don't have a problem except the person fiddles around with their payment. They wait until payment before even getting their card or cash ready, or can't remember the pin number.

I am an elderly person and I shop occasionally with a list and a budget. I take my time and ask questions because of botched cataract surgery. I dislike the self-checkouts because they are different in different stores. I prefer a live checkout person and after years I know many by name and sometimes get hugs. Despite that, I like to get in and get out once I have or have not been successful in getting what I wanted. I find that younger shoppers leave their carts in the middle of the aisles and wander off to look at the shelves while I am blocked and have to turn around and come in the other end.

Slow down. Maybe you could learn something if you actually talk to them

Interestingly, when I shop (and I am the fast type, use self-check out, prepared my list...and go!) it is the old people who are respectful, get out of the way...while many of the 30ish years old crowd (not all!) are rude, dumb and disrespectful, feeling like they are on top of the world, when in all reality, they miss out on literally everything IMPORTANT.

I got this to say.... THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 1 LINE AT EVERY SUPERMARKET FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOT THEIR SH*T TOGETHER!!!! (regardless of age) IF YOU AIN'T GOT YOUR SH*T TOGETHER, GET OUT OF THE FAST LANE!Edited 26-Nov-24 11:00am

Well during Covid our local Woolies delegated the first hour to older people and I didn't see it as a discrimination in fact I relished this precious time set aside.

I shop direct to boot. I don’t like being in shop’s around people of any age

When I go to the local Coles store there are always older people in the way .Michael

perhaps the elderly should demand the absence of all children (whom i love dearly) and any pesky people on mobile phones etc and those whom do not care where they are going so long as everyone gets out of their way this includes those who chose to speed in the car parks or will sit and wait for us to leave our parking spot while they hold up traffic because they are to lazy to walk a few extra yards

Specific shopping times and specific prices ie lower prices would be what I would vote for.

Can we stop putting labels on people and putting them into tribes. people are people.

idk man

I'm not elderly yet but I'm not far off and I would enjoy having a time to shop when I didn't have to deal with people who have children or even people who are in a hurry and want to rush me along. Probably not a popular opinion

I am elderly (the nasty label) but I do most of my shopping on line not because I am slow but for my iwn safety, the last few times I have ventured into a supermarket I found it a nightmare with the stocking trollies small children running around unsupervised (I love children) but the biggest hazard was people pushing overloaded trollies and talking on their mobile phones whilst walking around and not bothering to look where they were going - mostly the 30 to 50 age group. Perhaps in this nanny state we live in mobile phone usage should be banned in supermarkets. If my phone rings I wait until I have finished and am outside the shop.

Leave the elderly alone as they shop in the lesiure and they enjoy shopping as they have time on their hands.

Let's stop complaining about the elderly the young and the inbetweeners and just get on with each other, sounds simple to me!Edited 26-Nov-24 11:44am

there is no need to separate the elderly at the super markets,they never get in my way. The People who get in my way are younger people that think they have to have a conversation in the middle of an aisle. Yes, the elderly need to be respected.

no, could think of anything worse. Yes lets make the elderly as unseen as possible so we can forget about them completely. Learn empathy and then its not a problem

should be a day and time so that can relax and do there shopping

Yes Danielle my daughter and I have commented several times we have been in Woolworths and the lights go dim. Think they are trying to save on cost of electricity.

SHOPS need to remove 50% of the rubbish they lie and call food, widen the aisles and their would be room for all. People have lost respect, moral and integrity, AND live I want it all now, and of course I dont pay. DUH

people who don't control their children annoy me more, the amount of times I have been hit but a trolley being pushed by a kid who has run away from Mum or Dad. Had to stop a full trolley going down a hill because a kid has just run in front of me. kids screaming because they don't get their way and Mum or Dad just saying "don't do that darling". then they demand checkouts that don't have anything to tempt their little darling. The fresh fruit for kids is great until you find a half eaten apple or a banana peel in the trolley.

Firstly, let’s change the word to ‘elders’ and give them the respect they deserve! They have wisdom, knowledge and experience, and it is their time in life to slow down and enjoy, they’re not in a rush, they get to smell the roses! I’m in this stage of my life, and feel grateful that New World Supermarkets in NZ, offer a 5% discount on Tuesdays to superannuation clients, and they pack your groceries.

People of ALL ages have their own annoying habits. As a society, we need to learn more patience and drop this attitude of 'entitlement' that I see a lot people think they have. Kindness and consideration make everybody's day better.

Not quite the same,but has anyone noticed at woolworths they have allocated at time late in the morning that the lights dim and offer a quieter time to shop for those who medically need it. I like it ,fluorescent lights effect my seizures and Narcolypsy. It's also helpful for people with other conditions like ADHD and the like. That I feel is considerate,unlike the "age" factor. Honestly ,who do they think they are helping with that? Hire more staff for goodness sake. It's not like they don't have the money. Their profits have sky-rocketed. Greed

I like this discussion, and it is so good that most people agree, and that elderly are respected, and I think it would be a very stupid supermarket that tried to restrict old people to certain hours. I am old and I like to shop at whatever time suits me !

The "elderly shoppers" are no more annoying than anyone else ... the idiot on their mobile phone (either playing around or talking loudly), the kids running wild, the fool who puts stuff back in the wrong place, the indecisive twit who stands in front of the shelf for 10mins trying to decide which flavour to buy, the numbskull who gets all the way to beginning to go through the checkout and then runs back to swap / get something else, ... All shops should close for 20mins while I do my shopping all by myself, then they can let all the fools back in. 😛Edited 26-Nov-24 08:06am

What a silly idea,honestly if they go that far they may as well say order on line,we will pack it ,no more people instore shopping. And one day it will come to that. Not for making it easier for other shoppers. It will be for profit and food availability. Imagine all foods stored in a warehouse, no shops,like clothing. Picker/ packers filling orders and sending them to you( at your own cost.). No more staff in shops,no more supermarkets with associated overheads,no need for carparks etc. The only way you could pick your own food would be to go to a farm or market. This is what imagine the future to be I just hope I am not here to see it.

Sometimes they are a nuisance, block aisles, are slow, unorganised, BUT, they are entitled to do their shopping same as everyone else and they are also active, day out, probably their only weekly regular activity.

No true a lot of young people chat to sales staff and keep in chatting even though there are people waiting in line. Not all elderly people are slow my mother is in her 90's and she would give anyone a run for their money i can't keep up with her at times

Often I have been slowed by older folks out shopping but have come to realize that trip out has taken planning and logistics to get them there...and may be their only social opportunity to speak with another adult or admire your children while struggling with vision , hearing and mobility problems. Ask if you can help reach or read something or if they need to sit a moment. You'll do well to understand it is not about you and more about others.