"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Tim+ wrote:

Bill

Oh for FFS! Do you *really* think that reusing carrier bags is
responsible
for food poisoning? Really scraping the barrel now.

Tim

Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk.

what type of contents are we talking about here?

tinned food, packeted food

fresh fruit and veg

meat in those little plastic trays that seem to be the compulsory way of
buying it nowadays

cheese in sealed plastic wrappers, milk in cartons

what's the problem here?

tim

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 12:54:30 +0000, Bill Wright wrote:

Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk. Even
if they are the daily re-use of the same bag carries risks unless
the bag is thoroughly washed after every trip.

No, I'm being realistic. There's no point in taking 'no upside' risks
over something as potentially serious as food poisoning.

So when you get this food home, what do you do with it? How and where do
you store it?

"NY" wrote in message
...
"Huge" wrote in message
...
On 2013-12-19, Peter Duncanson wrote:
What does "working well" mean? What is the point of the
levy? To reduce overall consumption of bags? (Fail.) To reduce littering?
(Success, I believe.) To raise tax revenue? (Don't know.)

Will the fact that someone has paid 5p for a supermarket bag mean they are
more likely to throw it away in a bin rather than in a hedge-bottom after
they have finished with it? It might encourage *some* people to reuse the
bag a couple of times before throwing it away (responsibly or
irresponsibly).

It works by discouraging people from taking so many

instead of three bags, each with one item in (yes I have seen people do
this) they will put all three items in one bag

hence there is later only one bag billowing across the park where there used
to be three

tim

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 10:23:09 +0000, Peter Duncanson
wrote:

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 08:34:11 -0000, "harryagain"
wrote:


"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Peter Duncanson wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:52:03 +0000, Bill Wright
wrote:

Peter Duncanson wrote:

In terms of single-use bags used the figures so far released for the
first three month period the usage seems to have dropped to about 25%
of
what it was. On the basis of casual observation in the supermarket,
convenience stores and shops that I use I'd estimate the drop to be
much
greater. People are using either their own bags or multiple-use bags
sold by the retailers, or are carrying small numbers of items unbagged.
Which is very unhygienic. I wonder what is the environmental cost of one
attack of food poisoning.

It isn't unhygienic because bags used for health or safety reasons are
exempt from the levy.

quote
A single use carrier bag of any material and of any size is exempt from
the charging requirement if it is used solely to contain one or more of
the following unpackaged items:

* food for human or animal consumption - for example loose fruit and
vegetables and bread and other baked goods.

* loose seeds, bulbs, corms or rhizomes;

* axes, knives, and knife or razor blades; and

* goods contaminated by soil - for example vegetables or pot
plants.
endquote from:
http://www.doeni.gov.uk/guidance_on_...__ni__2013.pdf



meat?

Meat comes pre-wrapped up from the shelf.

If you buy meat that has been cut from a larger piece at the time of
purchase (in a butcher's shop or at a butcher's counter in a
supermarket, for instance) any bag that it is put into will be free.

There is a general background point here. Most people's information
about the proposals for the carrier bagy levy in England come from the
news media. As we have noticed, particularly in uk.tech.digital-tv, the
news media are skilled at misunderstanding and misreporting anything
even mildly technical. They will take a press release that is already as
simple as possible and simplify it even more, omitting vital points in
the process.

--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

tim...... wrote:

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Tim+ wrote:

Bill

Oh for FFS! Do you *really* think that reusing carrier bags is
responsible
for food poisoning? Really scraping the barrel now.

Tim

Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk.

what type of contents are we talking about here?

tinned food, packeted food

fresh fruit and veg

meat in those little plastic trays that seem to be the compulsory way of
buying it nowadays

cheese in sealed plastic wrappers, milk in cartons

what's the problem here?

tim


I buy everything fresh.

Bill

tim...... wrote:

hence there is later only one bag billowing across the park where there
used to be three

We don't have a problem with supermarket bags. The big problem here is
the rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window.
Why not do something about that?

Bill

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
tim...... wrote:

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Tim+ wrote:

Bill

Oh for FFS! Do you *really* think that reusing carrier bags is
responsible
for food poisoning? Really scraping the barrel now.

Tim

Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk.

what type of contents are we talking about here?

tinned food, packeted food

fresh fruit and veg

meat in those little plastic trays that seem to be the compulsory way of
buying it nowadays

cheese in sealed plastic wrappers, milk in cartons

what's the problem here?

tim


I buy everything fresh.

so do I, but it still comes wrapped up in compulsory plastic trays

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 12:50:17 +0000 (UTC), Jethro_uk wrote:

Take both into store, unfold one, put shopping in. Get to till, unload
crate, get to other end reload.

You can get all your shopping into *one* crate? I use a one of the
full size trollies and even on a small weekly shop it'll be half
full, a big shop (like yesterday stocking up for the best part of a
fortnight ('cause of this stupid fing 2 week nationwide shutdown) it
was full.

Usually I can fill the crate faster than the checkout operator can scan.

Good checkout operators pace themselves to the packer. Occasionally
(a new) one doesn't and short of picking up each item and lobbing
straight into the trolly you don't stand a chance of keeping up with
them.

--
Cheers
Dave.

tim...... wrote:

so do I, but it still comes wrapped up in compulsory plastic trays

The Plastic Tray (Compulsory Use for Meat) Act does not apply to
Yorkshire. Here the butcher gets a big chunk of meat on his block and
the customer indicates where he should wield his chopper. The portion of
meat is then put into a bag.

Bill

Dave Liquorice wrote:

Good checkout operators pace themselves to the packer.

I like to chat to them. If I've done a big shop I can usually find out
stuff like their marital status, ages and sexes of children and
grandchildren, and what illness they have.

Bill

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 13:33:51 +0000, Peter Duncanson
wrote:

bagy levy

Please ignore the first y.

--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

On 20/12/2013 08:32, harryagain wrote:
"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Tim+ wrote:

Bill
Oh for FFS! Do you *really* think that reusing carrier bags is
responsible
for food poisoning? Really scraping the barrel now.

Tim
Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk. Even if they
are the daily re-use of the same bag carries risks unless the bag is
thoroughly washed after every trip.

Most stuff is (too) incredibly wrapped up when you buy it

If you are suffering from food poisoning, try washing your hands after
you've been to the bog.

OT How many blokes do you see (not) washing their hands in the gents after
they've been for a p**s?
Take note ladies, NEVER take peanuts from that bowl on the bar.


Actually **** is very sterile when it leaves your body, now **** is
another thing.

Huge wrote:
On 2013-12-20, Corporal Jones wrote:
On 20/12/2013 08:32, harryagain wrote:

OT How many blokes do you see (not) washing their hands in the
gents after they've been for a p**s?
Take note ladies, NEVER take peanuts from that bowl on the bar.


Actually **** is very sterile when it leaves your body,

Quite. The main reason you should wash your hands after a **** is in
case you touch anything previously touched by some filthy ******* who
hasn't washed their hands after having a dump.

Best to do it before, then, isn't it?

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Tim+ wrote:
Bill Wright wrote:
Tim+ wrote:

Bill
Oh for FFS! Do you *really* think that reusing carrier bags is
responsible
for food poisoning? Really scraping the barrel now.
Tim
Having spent some time recently (of necessity) learning about food
hygiene, I'd say that the reuse of carrier bags if the contents are
inadequately individually wrapped or bagged is a severe risk. Even if
they are the daily re-use of the same bag carries risks unless the bag
is
thoroughly washed after every trip.

Bill

What *could* happen in theory is a very long way removed from what
happens
in practice. Tim

If you want to take risks with your health it's up to you.


You actually think used supermarket bags are sterile?
You think washing sterilises any object?
Anything that need to be kept clean is sold in a package.

"Peter Duncanson" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 08:34:11 -0000, "harryagain"
wrote:


"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Peter Duncanson wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:52:03 +0000, Bill Wright
wrote:

Peter Duncanson wrote:

In terms of single-use bags used the figures so far released for the
first three month period the usage seems to have dropped to about 25%
of
what it was. On the basis of casual observation in the supermarket,
convenience stores and shops that I use I'd estimate the drop to be
much
greater. People are using either their own bags or multiple-use bags
sold by the retailers, or are carrying small numbers of items
unbagged.
Which is very unhygienic. I wonder what is the environmental cost of
one
attack of food poisoning.

It isn't unhygienic because bags used for health or safety reasons are
exempt from the levy.

quote
A single use carrier bag of any material and of any size is exempt from
the charging requirement if it is used solely to contain one or more of
the following unpackaged items:

* food for human or animal consumption - for example loose fruit and
vegetables and bread and other baked goods.

* loose seeds, bulbs, corms or rhizomes;

* axes, knives, and knife or razor blades; and

* goods contaminated by soil - for example vegetables or pot
plants.
endquote from:
http://www.doeni.gov.uk/guidance_on_...__ni__2013.pdf



meat?

Meat comes pre-wrapped up from the shelf.

If you buy meat that has been cut from a larger piece at the time of
purchase (in a butcher's shop or at a butcher's counter in a
supermarket, for instance) any bag that it is put into will be free.


I thought we were talking about plastic supermarket bags?
Not local butcher.

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
harryagain wrote:

meat?

Meat comes pre-wrapped up from the shelf.

You must go to a very lower class shop. I never buy prepackaged meat. The
butcher cuts it to my order. This applies both at Morrisons and at my
local butchers.

Bill

And he just hands it over to you in a lump?
No he puts it in a (new) bag.
You don't need a grotty old one.

"NY" wrote in message
...
"Huge" wrote in message
...
On 2013-12-19, Peter Duncanson wrote:
What does "working well" mean? What is the point of the
levy? To reduce overall consumption of bags? (Fail.) To reduce littering?
(Success, I believe.) To raise tax revenue? (Don't know.)

Will the fact that someone has paid 5p for a supermarket bag mean they are
more likely to throw it away in a bin rather than in a hedge-bottom after
they have finished with it? It might encourage *some* people to reuse the
bag a couple of times before throwing it away (responsibly or
irresponsibly).

I'm sure tax-raising is a significant reason - call me an old cynic.


Well if they reused it once, that would halve the number of plastic bags
needed.
Etc.

On 20/12/2013 16:09, Huge wrote:

Although avoiding touching the door handles is sometimes difficult.


And you can almost grantee that during the routine cleaning of toilets
in any place of work, public toilets in pubs, hospitals etc. the one
item that will never be cleaned is the door handle on the exit.



--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

"NY" wrote in message
...
"Huge" wrote in message
...
On 2013-12-19, Peter Duncanson wrote:
What does "working well" mean? What is the point of the
levy? To reduce overall consumption of bags? (Fail.) To reduce littering?
(Success, I believe.) To raise tax revenue? (Don't know.)

Will the fact that someone has paid 5p for a supermarket bag mean they are
more likely to throw it away in a bin rather than in a hedge-bottom after
they have finished with it? It might encourage *some* people to reuse the
bag a couple of times before throwing it away (responsibly or
irresponsibly).

I'm sure tax-raising is a significant reason - call me an old cynic.

I just love these "voluntary" taxes that are easily avoided.
Such as parking tickets.
Speeding tickets.
Car park charges.
Lottery tickets.
Etc.
Someone else pays them and not me.

"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
tim...... wrote:

hence there is later only one bag billowing across the park where there
used to be three

We don't have a problem with supermarket bags. The big problem here is the
rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window. Why
not do something about that?

Bill

Yes that needs fixing too.
Big problem outside my house.
I pick them up, the council doesn't.

I recommend gelding for the perps.

On 20/12/2013 14:55, Bill Wright wrote:
tim...... wrote:

so do I, but it still comes wrapped up in compulsory plastic trays

The Plastic Tray (Compulsory Use for Meat) Act does not apply to
Yorkshire. Here the butcher gets a big chunk of meat on his block and
the customer indicates where he should wield his chopper. The portion of
meat is then put into a bag.



Yep, there is one of those around where I live. All fresh meat and offal
is put on the same wooden chopping board without any cleaning as you go
during the day. The butcher will then go on to serve someone else with
sliced cooked ham or cut cheese without washing hands in between.


--

mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:49:16 +0000, harryagain wrote:

We don't have a problem with supermarket bags. The big problem here is
the rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window.
Why not do something about that?

Yes that needs fixing too.
Big problem outside my house.

Not here. But, then, the nearest McDogbits is about 20 miles away.

I think it's something to do with a very high statistical correlation
between the kind of person who eats there and the kind of person who lobs
litter.

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:53:07 +0000, alan wrote:

Yep, there is one of those around where I live. All fresh meat and offal
is put on the same wooden chopping board without any cleaning as you go
during the day.

The offal in question will, of course, be perfectly fit for human
consumption - else it wouldn't be in that part of his shop in the first
place.

The butcher will then go on to serve someone else with sliced cooked
ham or cut cheese without washing hands in between.

If he really did do that, then environmental health would close him down
quicker than a ton of bricks could land on his head.

On 20/12/2013 17:53, Adrian wrote:
On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:49:16 +0000, harryagain wrote:

We don't have a problem with supermarket bags. The big problem here is
the rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window.
Why not do something about that?

Yes that needs fixing too.
Big problem outside my house.

Not here. But, then, the nearest McDogbits is about 20 miles away.

That's about the distance to our nearest one, but the road warriors
still drive off from there to a nice quiet rural lane and then throw the
entire lot out of the window. Sometimes still in its bag.

I reckon that VAT should be imposed on all take away meals that include
a packaging component to pay for the clear up of litter.

I think it's something to do with a very high statistical correlation
between the kind of person who eats there and the kind of person who lobs
litter.

I agree. Road warriors being by far the worst offenders round here.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:58:50 +0000, Martin Brown wrote:

I reckon that VAT should be imposed on all take away meals

It already is.

On 20/12/2013 14:05, Dave Liquorice wrote:
Occasionally
(a new) one doesn't and short of picking up each item and lobbing
straight into the trolly you don't stand a chance of keeping up with
them.


If every supermarket adopted that policy by default they could get rid
of 50% of their till staff and reduce prices of the goods that they sell
by 10%. The big supermarkets will soon start adopting the same
time/cost saving measures as used in Aldi/Lidl who have seen an increase
of sales by around 30% this year.


--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On 20/12/2013 17:57, Adrian wrote:
On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:53:07 +0000, alan wrote:

Yep, there is one of those around where I live. All fresh meat and offal
is put on the same wooden chopping board without any cleaning as you go
during the day.

The offal in question will, of course, be perfectly fit for human
consumption - else it wouldn't be in that part of his shop in the first
place.

It's more that the eat/offal will be kept chilled while waiting to be
sold. The wooden board will be at room temperature for, say, 8hours
still with the blood/juices from the first cut of the day.


--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 18:26:34 +0000, alan wrote:

Yep, there is one of those around where I live. All fresh meat and
offal is put on the same wooden chopping board without any cleaning as
you go during the day.

The offal in question will, of course, be perfectly fit for human
consumption - else it wouldn't be in that part of his shop in the first
place.

It's more that the eat/offal will be kept chilled while waiting to be
sold. The wooden board will be at room temperature for, say, 8hours
still with the blood/juices from the first cut of the day.

Except that wood is naturally antibacterial.

Butchers have been cutting meat on wooden blocks of centuries, with a
damn sight less attention paid to refrigeration etc. Mankind has
survived, just fine.

And if you _really_ think that the prepacked stuff in the supermarket is
somehow better in any way imaginable (including value) than meat from
even a half-way competent butcher...

On 20 Dec 2013 15:16:11 GMT, Huge wrote:

You can get all your shopping into *one* crate? I use a one of the
full size trollies and even on a small weekly shop it'll be half
full, a big shop (like yesterday stocking up for the best part of
a
fortnight ('cause of this stupid fing 2 week nationwide shutdown)
it
was full.

What shutdown? Our local Sainsers is closed for one day.

You try and get any sense out of any UK office/call center next week
and most of the week after (you can't get any sense out of foreign
call center any time of the year).

As far as access to the supermarket (remember that is a 40 to 60 mile
round trip depending on which one I go to) next week:

Monday and before, to close to this weeks shop.
Tuesday you have got to be joking! All those paniced sheeple and the
shelves will be running empty of fresh stuff beacause:
Wednesday is closed.
Thursday working.
Friday in laws.
Saturday working.
Sunday resting from driving 600 odd miles the previous 3 days, the in
laws and working.
Monday 11 days (best part of a fortnight) from the last shop...

--
Cheers
Dave.

harryagain wrote:

You actually think used supermarket bags are sterile?

Why shouldn't they be?

You think washing sterilises any object?

Yes, washing properly is as effective as anything.

Anything that need to be kept clean is sold in a package.

Raw meat. Cooked meat. Fish. Cheese. All sold loose.

Bill

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 17:39:36 -0000, "harryagain"
wrote:


"Peter Duncanson" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 08:34:11 -0000, "harryagain"
wrote:


"Bill Wright" wrote in message
...
Peter Duncanson wrote:
On Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:52:03 +0000, Bill Wright
wrote:

Peter Duncanson wrote:

In terms of single-use bags used the figures so far released for the
first three month period the usage seems to have dropped to about 25%
of
what it was. On the basis of casual observation in the supermarket,
convenience stores and shops that I use I'd estimate the drop to be
much
greater. People are using either their own bags or multiple-use bags
sold by the retailers, or are carrying small numbers of items
unbagged.
Which is very unhygienic. I wonder what is the environmental cost of
one
attack of food poisoning.

It isn't unhygienic because bags used for health or safety reasons are
exempt from the levy.

quote
A single use carrier bag of any material and of any size is exempt from
the charging requirement if it is used solely to contain one or more of
the following unpackaged items:

* food for human or animal consumption - for example loose fruit and
vegetables and bread and other baked goods.

* loose seeds, bulbs, corms or rhizomes;

* axes, knives, and knife or razor blades; and

* goods contaminated by soil - for example vegetables or pot
plants.
endquote from:
http://www.doeni.gov.uk/guidance_on_...__ni__2013.pdf



meat?

Meat comes pre-wrapped up from the shelf.

If you buy meat that has been cut from a larger piece at the time of
purchase (in a butcher's shop or at a butcher's counter in a
supermarket, for instance) any bag that it is put into will be free.


I thought we were talking about plastic supermarket bags?
Not local butcher.

The rules apply to all shops whether big supermarkets, local butchers or
other small shops *of any kind*.

(That is the current position here in Northern Ireland.)


--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

alan wrote:

Yep, there is one of those around where I live. All fresh meat and offal
is put on the same wooden chopping board without any cleaning as you go
during the day. The butcher will then go on to serve someone else with
sliced cooked ham or cut cheese without washing hands in between.

That's terrible. Report him. At my butchers you have to buy all your
cooked stuff, then say you've finished so he washes his hands and moves
to the other part of the shop, then you tell him what raw meat you want.

Bill

On Fri, 20 Dec 2013 18:12:41 +0000, alan wrote:

Occasionally (a new) one doesn't and short of picking up each item
and
lobbing straight into the trolly you don't stand a chance of
keeping up
with them.

If every supermarket adopted that policy by default they could get rid
of 50% of their till staff and reduce prices of the goods that they sell
by 10%.

I'd rather pay the 10% and not have damaged groceries because they
haven't been handled properly. It also gives some one a job, which is
another reason I boycott, as much as I can, self service checkouts
and pay at pump.

The big supermarkets will soon start adopting the same time/cost saving
measures as used in Aldi/Lidl ...

The checkout operators still pace to the customer, there is little
point in doing otherwise. If I start getting rushed by the operator,
I don't like it and will think twice about shopping there again. If
it became a store policy I would stop shopping there.

... who have seen an increase of sales by around 30% this year.

I doubt that is down to not giving away bags or rushing people at the
checkout. In fact I find Aldi ones slower than Tesco as the Aldi
operator will engage in conversation with almost every customer. Some
customers have trouble packing and talking at the same time...

--
Cheers
Dave.

Adrian wrote:

And if you _really_ think that the prepacked stuff in the supermarket is
somehow better in any way imaginable (including value) than meat from
even a half-way competent butcher...

I use Woods of Carcroft. I walked out of there yesterday with such a
weight of meat and pies I could only just carry it and the charge was
£55. The quality is superb.

Supermarket meat is horrible. Often it's pumped up with water.

Bill

On 20/12/2013 20:21, Bill Wright wrote:
harryagain wrote:

Anything that need to be kept clean is sold in a package.

Raw meat. Cooked meat. Fish. Cheese. All sold loose.

All wrapped before handing to you.
--
Phil Cook

Bill Wright wrote...

The big problem here is
the rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window.
Why not do something about that?

Good idea Bill, I'm not sure which would be the most practical to
implement, banning the use of motor vehicles or just banning those with
windows but I'm with you all the way on this.

--
UnsteadyKen

Dave Liquorice wrote:

I'd rather pay the 10% and not have damaged groceries because they
haven't been handled properly. It also gives some one a job, which is
another reason I boycott, as much as I can, self service checkouts
and pay at pump.

So do you only buy books that have been hand written by scribes? (this
damned new idea of printing being bound to lead to unemployment).

Do you go everywhere by horse to keep the blacksmiths in work?

Unemployment isn't economically inefficient. It's inefficient methods
that are inefficient. Better to have efficient methods and a few more on
the dole. High unemployment reduces labour costs, which is good.

Bill

On 20/12/2013 20:28, Dave Liquorice wrote:
I doubt that is down to not giving away bags or rushing people at the
checkout. In fact I find Aldi ones slower than Tesco as the Aldi
operator will engage in conversation with almost every customer. Some
customers have trouble packing and talking at the same time...

The Aldi I used to use until I moved had *fast* operators, and a notice
asking people to put their shopping into the trolley and pack it at the
packing station, or do as I did, and pack it at the back of the car.

The operators at the Tesco I use now all seem to be on Valium, they're
so slow. Especially when one of the local voucher freaks is being served.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

UnsteadyKen wrote:
Bill Wright wrote...

The big problem here is
the rubbish from fast food. People just throw it out of the car window.
Why not do something about that?

Good idea Bill, I'm not sure which would be the most practical to
implement, banning the use of motor vehicles or just banning those with
windows but I'm with you all the way on this.


Ban the wrappings that the food comes in. People would have to take
their own plate, knife, and fork. If they hadn't got one the eatery
would sell them a 'plate for life' and 'cutlery for life'. It's exactly
the same idea as banning plastic bags. Why is one different to the other?

Bill

On 20/12/2013 20:58, John Williamson wrote:
On 20/12/2013 20:28, Dave Liquorice wrote:

I doubt that is down to not giving away bags or rushing people at the
checkout. In fact I find Aldi ones slower than Tesco as the Aldi
operator will engage in conversation with almost every customer. Some
customers have trouble packing and talking at the same time...

Aldi & Lidl operators are seriously fast in the places I frequent and
have memorised a fair proportion of the common bakery codes to boot.

The Aldi I used to use until I moved had *fast* operators, and a notice
asking people to put their shopping into the trolley and pack it at the
packing station, or do as I did, and pack it at the back of the car.

Both Aldi & Lidl have very fast on the ball checkout operators.
Lidl also does really good baked in store continental pastries.
Both occasionally have really good bargains.

The operators at the Tesco I use now all seem to be on Valium, they're
so slow. Especially when one of the local voucher freaks is being served.

Tesco are their own worst enemy at checkouts. I suspect you would have
to be drugged up on something fairly powerful to survive a shift with
the relentless drone of their in store Xmas "tuneful" mewsick. YMMV

Almost none of their reduced vouchers will ever scan correctly, require
manual typing and a magnifying glass for the poor opo to read the code.
Their brie is barely even ripe when it is discounted for out of date.
(ditto avocados and various other fresh produce - why pay extra for
something unripe when you can buy something ready to eat for less?)

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Regards,
Martin Brown