Chemist

yummers

Does anyone else find it really strange going into a chemist. I get really embrassed. I think its cause there is usually no one ever in them. Yesterday I went into my local to get nail polish remover and I was stared out of it you cant have a look around. I usually just go to boots to stock up on stuff cause no one will be watching my every move.

Orlee

I know exactly what you mean ... I feel really awkward in most local chemists!

A friend has just started working in the one around the corner from my house. She said the place is literally dead till half 5 every day! they must be dying for some customer interation!

Chuchoter

I hate my local chemist. I always get stared out of it. Yes I am a teenager, no I'm not going to steal all your stuff

convert

I actually hate going in to my local chemists as there's an odd atmosphere there, probably because it's so quiet. As mentioned above, I do find that you're stared at the whole time, as if they're expecting to catch you stealing something. I also find they're either completely rude and unhelpful, or overly helpful to the point of being nosy.

On two occasions I've been in to buy pain killers and each time I was asked why I wanted them. Ehhh.... really bad cramps and an abscess on my tooth. Each time, they tried to sell me something else that not only was much more expensive, but I wasn't sure how I'd react to it or if it would work. I've no problem in them trying to help me and suggesting other rememdies, but when I'm in a lot of pain, I just want to buy something I know will definitely work. I'll try out the other when I don't feel like hitting you because you're delaying me taking some much needed pain relief.

And then when you buy what you want/need, they look at you as if you're a drug addict who's about to raid the shop on the way out!

However, that said, I once went in asking for extra strong panadol, and the kind lady told me that they now stocked the generic brand and if I'd like to buy that instead because it was much cheaper. I was most appreciative of that. I think it's the only time somebody has actually tried to sell me something less expensive than what I was buying!

Sapsorrow

I'm pretty sure they're supposed to ask you what the stronger pain killers (like the ones loaded with codeine) are for before they sell them to you, I think it's a standard proceedure but maybe smaller local ones don't bother when they should most of the time. I've been using one in the city for years with the sneaking impression that the girl working behind the counter was familiar somehow, then I spotted her walking around my hometown and was reminded that we went to primary school together. Very embarassing considering some of the prescriptions I've picked up there, my name and it's spelling is very unsual and completely unmistakable too

Asphyxia

I have a tiny little chemist in my town I try to avoid going in at all cost I always feel so awkward going in to have a browse, there's three women working behind the counter and all they do is stare at you as if a crime has been committed. I never go in there anymore unless I have to I rather drive 20 mins into town into the nice big chemists with more of a selection than to be gawked at by them.

convert

Sapsorrow wrote: »

I'm pretty sure they're supposed to ask you what the stronger pain killers (like the ones loaded with codeine) are for before they sell them to you

The painkillers in question were just normal panadol, not even panadol plus or nurofen plus! :eek:

I also had an awful time buying cough medicine one day. They didn't want to give me non-drowsy Benilyn because I wasn't coughing when I was in there. I had to explain that it wasn't for me, that it was actually for my housemate who was so sick with a cold she couldn't actually leave the house!

That said, one of the local chemists down home is lovely, and you never feel like you're about to commit a crime when you walk in there. They're really nice and helpful too!

I guess it just depends on the chemist; some are obviously better (and nicer) than others. If I don't like somewhere, I don't go back. Simples.

Storminateacup

My local chemist smells like feet.
Absolutely repulsive.

Sound Bite

I must live in a bubble. Never noticed this.
Have no problems going to the chemist for anything, medicine, contraception doesnt matter, I dont think the person inside the counter is interested in what I buy.

Little Acorn

All my local chemists are great. I often wander around them for ages enjoying looking at all types of products and even the makeup[though I very rarely buy/wear any type of makeup] . I notice a lot of the smaller chemists have cheaper brands that you can't always find in the big chemists. I like trying some of the perfumes, and looking at all the body creams, nail varnishes and things, some of which that I would never have heard of before or seen in the chain stores. Usually great bargain baskets in them too! There's lots of local chemists in my area, and the staff are fairly friendly.:)

Sapsorrow

Sound Bite wrote: »

I must live in a bubble. Never noticed this.
Have no problems going to the chemist for anything, medicine, contraception doesnt matter, I dont think the person inside the counter is interested in what I buy.

I'm the same always find them very professional, but I wonder if it's because I only tend to use ones in the city.. I'd imagine the ones in the sticks are bored out of their faces. Still no excuse for some of the behaviour mentioned on this thread! What a disgrace! :mad:

Toto Wolfcastle

I have no problem going into a chemist, whether it's in a city or in the suburb I live in. I don't think there is anything to be embarrassed about.

I do think that a lot of small chemists are badly laid out so it can be difficult to find what you want. I can understand in cases like that why people might get embarrassed walking around trying to find what they are looking for. It doesn't bother me, but I suppose it's understandable.

silverspoon

YES - I can't agree with this enough. Then, I'm one to get conscious about being in any shop where I'm the only customer, or one of about three. I hate the feeling of being stared at, so it's terrible in a chemist's, particularly if I'm looking at anything sensitive. I wouldn't get embarrassed in, say, a Boots if I'm browsing for personal stuff or anything, but I hate the feeling that what I'm looking at or buying is being judged. Which is silly. But as someone whose mother worked in a chemist's, I know not to underestimate the boredom that will propel my purchases or perusals into some sort of gossip.

So that's depressing.

moonflower

I hate just going into a chemist to browse their makeup. In Boots or a big, busy chemist I have no problem but whenever I go into a smaller chemist to check out what makeup brands they stock I always feel like I have to buy something and like the person at the till is staring.

yummers

there is this one chemist near me and they sell great stuff they have a smashobox counter and a huge selection of tan and makeup. i love going in for a browse and id usualy always end up buying something cause i cant help myself lol but its just got to the stage where i cant go in anymore between the security guard watching you and the two girls at the counter literally stopping their conversation when you walk in.

So yesterday I went in to get nail polish remover, i had a look around for it (while the securtiy card practically followed me round the shop) i counldnt find it so i asked the girl at the counter, she showed me where it was and then waited till i picked out the one i wanted. I felt like a theif or something i was mortified leaving the shop

Aoifums

I don't like the one near me. Which is a pity because the pharmacist who works there is lovely to my mam whenever she goes to pick up medication for anyone in the family. Even when she forgets the prescription for some medicines, he'll give them to her.

I had to go into this little chemist near the hostel I was staying in in Westport and I got stared out of it by every person in the shop. I wasn't the cleanest because I just got back from a 7km walk where we also gone kayaking and I was injured. I got treated like a shopkeeper when I really needed help. Had I been able to afford a doctor, I'd have gone there instead. But I got treated like some kind of diseased person in the chemist :mad: