LIDL Autism Aware Quiet Evenings

ednwireland

our local supervalu been doing tham for at least a year now, lovely to go in without that piped music playing

Andy From Sligo

ednwireland wrote: »

our local supervalu been doing tham for at least a year now, lovely to go in without that piped music playing

i like piped music in supermarkets - the only time it grates is at Christmas , must be a nightmare for the staff at Christmas time with the same christmas songs on loop ...

somefeen

Grayson wrote: »

Here's the AS Quotient btest that was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen who's a Professor at Cambridge. If that names familiar it's because his cousin is Borat.
https://psychology-tools.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/

Did the test, scored quiet high actually. I was reading up on the test just now and I somehow scored higher than people with actual diagnoses.
Personally I think I'm just a bit weird.

freshpopcorn

somefeen wrote: »

This is a bit strange because I shop in lidl and aldi mostly because they're quieter already.

Tesco is a nightmare with the music, bright lights, crowds and those ****ing self service checkouts blaring away constantly.
I dont know how anyone can work there

Well I know in my local Tesco they have staff assigned to bakery, others assigned to customer service returns, checkouts, deliveries, shelf stacking, cleaners. Now the odd time somebody might have to do the odd different thing.
In my local Lidl tough. The same two people have to do everything in the evening. I'd cope with the bit of music.

Graces7

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

... only at special days/hours , at other times your on your own ... so yes if your going to have autism please make sure you have it between 6pm-8pm tuesdays please ...

If someone has a child etc with autism, shopping can be a nightmare of overstimulation and times for this less stressful access can be a blessing and a boon. To provide this is a kind and sensible thing to do. Playing a real role in the community

PandaPoo

I got a 5 out of 50 on the test, I knew I wouldn't score highly. I think it's a great idea, I work in Tesco and find it's bright and loud and often there's a child with autism in and he screams the whole way round the shop. Anything to make his life and his mams life easier can only be a plus

goose2005

Malayalam wrote: »

Can all the places do all these things all the time please. As far as I know I am not autistic but all those things bug me.

the till announcements and loud beeps are presumably to squeeze maximum productivity from employees

Andy From Sligo

If LIDL (or any other supermarket for that matter) really wanted to help people with autism and the like why do they not have a certain 'special till' they can open constantly when needed (not just on Tuesdays) so if someone is shopping on a wednesday and can physically see someone struggling (who has autism or any other disability) can open up till and let them go ahead of others - even people who suffer anxiety and panic attacks they can come at any time, you can be fine when you first get into the shop but halfway around you could get a panic attack come on and the first thing if you experience that is that you have to get out of the shop .. and quickly!! you cannot be lining up in a queue waiting to be served , no way! - I have heard people having panic attacks and just putting their item back and running out of the shop!

uck51js9zml2yt

biko wrote: »

Can I bring my emotional support hamster?

Not if it means Boards slowing down as a result of his absence.

bloodless_coup

Personally I'm against it

Andy From Sligo

ednwireland wrote: »

our local supervalu been doing tham for at least a year now, lovely to go in without that piped music playing

blimey - if that's them with the advert where the woman picks up a tin of baked beans and a big poof of blue ticker tape shoots out behind them its enough to give ye heart attack! :eek:

Jeff2

Why not just do it all the time if they know the effects.?

Andy From Sligo

Jeff2 wrote: »

Why not just it all the time if they know the effects.?

yes i was thinking the same - if the pilots that they tried out before Christmas say that the system works then maybe they should do it all the time.

I dont mean this in a horrible way , but maybe it would put some shoppers off if it was done all the time and it might drive some to shop somewhere else

- I know first hand how how some shoppers are 'held up' or allowances have to be made for others these days

not everyone, but a lot full of 'huffs" and "tuts" and stares - people are coming around slowly to the fact that not all disabilities are forthright / or can be seen, or understood but we are no-where near the 100% mark of total understanding yet

freshpopcorn

Jeff2 wrote: »

Why not just do it all the time if they know the effects.?

Would making the shop dull all the time effect people with visual issues tough?

Andy From Sligo

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Would making the shop dull all the time effect people with visual issues tough?

makes you think about heath and safety rules/issues - I mean how dark are we talking, are we talking so dark that the customer cannot see spillages on the floor, or who cannot read labels on the tins and jars and what have you or trip up over something?

Andy From Sligo

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

makes you think about heath and safety rules/issues - I mean how dark are we talking, are we talking so dark that the customer cannot see spillages on the floor, or who cannot read labels on the tins and jars and what have you or tip up over something?

Just dark enough to save on the ESB bill.

Jeff2

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Would making the shop dull all the time effect people with visual issues tough?

Are you there to shop or?

freshpopcorn

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

makes you think about heath and safety rules/issues - I mean how dark are we talking, are we talking so dark that the customer cannot see spillages on the floor, or who cannot read labels on the tins and jars and what have you or tip up over something?

I think they turn about 50% of the lights off!

Andy From Sligo

Deleted User wrote: »

Just dark enough to save on the ESB bill.

I should imagine a lot of those shops now (especially the German shops) have all changed over to low power LED light fittings these days now havent they? (especially if they are talking of dimming the lights) - would they be saving a great deal?

1eg0a3xv7b82of

This is just a marketing ploy, its very naive to think any different.
Big business exists to make money for the owners.
CSR is nothing but good advertising.
And as pointed out most lidl stores have one working counter in the evenings, lights are turned down to save on bills and i have never heard music playing.
so what exactly are they promising? A Continuation of the same experience?

they dont treat their staff well, they are notorious like all supermarket chains for breaking farmers, yet they want to help the autistic. Like **** they do.

trixiebust

Danna Important Hedgehog wrote: »

This is just a marketing ploy, its very naive to think any different.
Big business exists to make money for the owners.
CSR is nothing but good advertising.
And as pointed out most lidl stores have one working counter in the evenings, lights are turned down to save on bills and i have never heard music playing.
so what exactly are they promising? A Continuation of the same experience?

they dont treat their staff well, they are notorious like all supermarket chains for breaking farmers, yet they want to help the autistic. Like **** they do.

I can certainly confirm that last bit. Worked there for nearly 10 years, & I know how staff are treated - it would shock you. Nothing but a PR move.

I haven't shopped there in years, do they play music in stores now?

Andy From Sligo

their levels of pay for staff always look extremely generous though when they are advertising for staff - i suppose though if working conditions aren't that brilliant I suppose they have to offer higher wages as a sweetener

freshpopcorn

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

their levels of pay for staff always look extremely generous though when they are advertising for staff - i suppose though if working conditions aren't that brilliant I suppose they have to offer higher wages as a sweetener

My local Lidl can have between 2-4 staff working on an evening. They have to man the tills, stock the shelves, clean the store, reduce items, restock and put out the special buys, deal with all customer service needs, do the bakery go into Tesco or Dunnes and they could have 20 plus staff doing the same.

addicted to caffeine

Personally I think its a good idea, as an autistic person shopping can be a nightmare for me

Outlaw Pete

The Black Oil wrote: »

It's to reduce sensory overload and the distress from that. Dublin Airport have had autism info/assistance details on their website for years and some cinemas also make accommodations re the sensory environment.

Yeah, I've a sister with autism and have attended a couple of those screenings.

Supermarkets can be a nightmare alright but as others have said, Lidl doesn't have music and besides, a little music is far better than none in my experience. If I'm taking my sister for something to eat, I always choose somewhere with background music as one, she has to have music on wherever she goes, and two, if she shouts (at me, or herself) it won't be a big deal. In a quiet setting, totally different story.

Cool that it's something they are trying though.

K.Flyer

Their good intentions for a calm environment may well be shattered as soon as the queue for the only open till gets a bit long, and they then start ringing the hell out of the bell to get another lane open.

freshpopcorn

K.Flyer wrote: »

Their good intentions for a calm environment may well be shattered as soon as the queue for the only open till gets a bit long, and they then start ringing the hell out of the bell to get another lane open.

I suppose they'd use their head sets instead of the bells.

Annasopra

wakka12 wrote: »

Well personally it would make me uncomfortable that they're using a sensitive issue like this for commercial endorsement but each to their own..thats a big if of course but its definitely suspicious

My local supervalu has been doing it about 2 or 3 years. I think its an absolutely brillisnt idea to support the inclusion of peoole with autism and their families and carers in local communities. The cynicism about it is ridiculous.

fash

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

I dont know why , but my skepticism always kicks in rather than thinking they are doing this for the benefit of the customer that I always think these businesses are doing new things for their own gain in the name of commercialism

I heard that they only have low, low prices because it is for their own gain in the name of commercialism also.

Graces7

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

If LIDL (or any other supermarket for that matter) really wanted to help people with autism and the like why do they not have a certain 'special till' they can open constantly when needed (not just on Tuesdays) so if someone is shopping on a wednesday and can physically see someone struggling (who has autism or any other disability) can open up till and let them go ahead of others - even people who suffer anxiety and panic attacks they can come at any time, you can be fine when you first get into the shop but halfway around you could get a panic attack come on and the first thing if you experience that is that you have to get out of the shop .. and quickly!! you cannot be lining up in a queue waiting to be served , no way! - I have heard people having panic attacks and just putting their item back and running out of the shop!

Been there done that many times in years past BUT let me assure you that I sought no special help. The only cure is OUT FAST. Trust me on that. never try to stop someone having a panic attack from getting OUT . And a special till would not help.

Reminds me of a few weeks ago in LIDL. An old lady was trying to sit down on some empty cardboard boxes and of course they gave way. I stopped and helped her up while everyone else rushed by.Only one man stopped, a German, and he went to the checkout to ask for a chair, to no effect, Little old lady was waiting for her daughter so I cleared stock off a small shelf so she could perch there

No supermarket is really disabled friendly. What LIDL are doing is a step forward and it is the dumbing down of stimuli that matters. You cannot have dimmed lights all the time

Graces7

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I suppose they'd use their head sets instead of the bells.

As they do now. Not heard a bell for a while

uck51js9zml2yt

The answer lies here

http://www.thejournal.ie/autism-assistance-dog-barred-lidl-store-3918121-Mar2018/

Graces7

Katie Mammoth Stopwatch wrote: »

The answer lies here

http://www.thejournal.ie/autism-assistance-dog-barred-lidl-store-3918121-Mar2018/

OK. In a situation like this when you KNOW you are in the right, ask immediately to see the manager

Danna Important Hedgehog

Danna Important Hedgehog wrote: »

they dont treat their staff well, they are notorious like all supermarket chains for breaking farmers, yet they want to help the autistic. Like **** they do.

trixiebust wrote: »

I can certainly confirm that last bit. Worked there for nearly 10 years, & I know how staff are treated - it would shock you. Nothing but a PR move.

I haven't shopped there in years, do they play music in stores now?

That's mad. I know a girl working there that loves it. Says they pay great and encourage you to upskill into management positions and the likes.

I never workd there, but I worked in Dunnes before. Hated every second of it (handy job, great staff, but the over-managing of everyhing ruined it).

Graces7

Deleted User wrote: »

That's mad. I know a girl working there that loves it. Says they pay great and encourage you to upskill into management positions and the likes.

I never workd there, but I worked in Dunnes before. Hated every second of it (handy job, great staff, but the over-managing of everyhing ruined it).

Yes I get the impression LIDL staff are happy. Many are East Europeans too

trixiebust

Graces7 wrote: »

Yes I get the impression LIDL staff are happy. Many are East Europeans too

Have a read of this ( the article is old, but these practices still continued for many more years ).

I know, because I was treated exactly the same years later. Their attitude towards staff is shocking.

http://franklludwig.com/lidl.html

Joeytheparrot

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

My local supervalu has been doing it about 2 or 3 years. I think its an absolutely brillisnt idea to support the inclusion of peoole with autism and their families and carers in local communities. The cynicism about it is ridiculous.

I agree with all of this. Also the quieter shopping experience is pretty cool

pitifulgod

I really struggle to see how people could find an issue with that. Cinemas regularly do it and there has been a lack of awareness in terms of offering ease of experience for those with autism. But it has started to improve which is a positive thing.

Andy From Sligo

I got to thinking the other day that i wonder why mainstream Cinemas dont do special screenings of popular and up to date films with subtitles or a signing person at the right hand side bottom of the screen (maybe they do but I havent heard of it?) - but I mean even the deaf would most probably like nights out at the cinema just like anyone else would

anyone see/heard it done?

KERSPLAT!

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

I got to thinking the other day that i wonder why mainstream Cinemas dont do special screenings of popular and up to date films with subtitles or a signing person at the right hand side bottom of the screen (maybe they do but I havent heard of it?) - but I mean even the deaf would most probably like nights out at the cinema just like anyone else would

anyone see/heard it done?

Ah sure, you'd be along to shìt all over that too.

Andy From Sligo

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Ah sure, you'd be along to shìt all over that too.

.. if you say so :rolleyes:

ironwalk

Graces7 wrote: »

That is unfair. It is good to see a big firm responding to any needs. tesco give spare food to eg V de Paul..and they have a big sign up in the Ballina shop to that effect.

The more socially aware companies are, the better . They all provide eg trollies for the disabled too..

The cynic in me knows that companies take on this type of campaign to polis h their own halos- if there was no commercial advantage, they wouldn't get involved.

However, I also know that food shopping with an autistic child can be a nightmare- it's a life skill that they need to learn. Plus, it's not fair if a parent has to wait until they have a second pair of hands to mind Johnny at home, while they go to do the foodshop each week.

I believe that reducing the lights and noise (while it's marketed as being "Autism friendly") also helps people with early stage dementia, Parkinson's etc etc.

The more society embraces that life is tough for many people and makes reasonable efforts to accommodate for others' needs, the better for all of us.

Vladimir Poontang

Cant wait to skip the queue shouting I've Asperger's! so I can get a rake of booze quicker than ever.

CeilingFly

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Nobody thinking it's just a little pointing out / singling out people with autism/disability? Having it done for certain hours/days?

I'll guess you have no relative with autism?

In most cases people just would not bring the autistic person with them. That segregates them from society. This way, the store operates as normal but with a few changes that may not be overly noticed by customers without experience of autism, but very much noticed by those with autism and their families.

Is it not good that a store is doing this on a national basis?

Andy From Sligo

CeilingFly wrote: »

I'll guess you have no relative with autism? .....

you couldn't be guessing further from the truth .... (if that line makes sense even?)

CeilingFly

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

you couldn't be guessing further from the truth .... (if that line makes sense even?)

well maybe talk to the parent/guardian of the relative with autism and understand it better because from your posts you have no understanding whatsoever of autism.

And if you have a relative with autism, your ignorance via what you have posted is just shameful.

Andy From Sligo

CeilingFly wrote: »

well maybe talk to the parent/guardian of the relative with autism and understand it better because from your posts you have no understanding whatsoever of autism.

And if you have a relative with autism, your ignorance via what you have posted is just shameful.

and without me coming across as dis-respectful or an asshole you should be aware that autism isnt a "one size fits all" debilitation either - what works for one/some autistic person does not necessarily work for another autism person - plus there are different levels of Autism but you most probably realise that ....

manonboard

somefeen wrote: »

Grayson wrote: »

Here's the AS Quotient btest that was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen who's a Professor at Cambridge. If that names familiar it's because his cousin is Borat.
https://psychology-tools.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/

Did the test, scored quiet high actually. I was reading up on the test just now and I somehow scored higher than people with actual diagnoses.
Personally I think I'm just a bit weird.

hehe, that is usually how a well adjusted adult 'presents' with it after a few decades. Just odd.
I found out only later in my life that I had autism, and scored a 34-36 on that test. I would suggest for those that are scoring high on it. If you do believe you might fall into the brackets. Reading up on the autism sites/forums is fairly useful. There is much that we take granted that is easier to see with knowledge. I personally believed I didn't need any 'coping' acts, yet when I implemented some from the suggestions of those boards. They lowered anxiety, stress, and made me feel much better. I didn't even know I wasn't feeling relaxed. Without contrast, that's impossible.

dubstarr

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

I got to thinking the other day that i wonder why mainstream Cinemas dont do special screenings of popular and up to date films with subtitles or a signing person at the right hand side bottom of the screen (maybe they do but I havent heard of it?) - but I mean even the deaf would most probably like nights out at the cinema just like anyone else would

anyone see/heard it done?

They have special screenings with subtitles ,

Chrongen

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

LIDL are implementing Autism Aware Quiet Evenings across all 194 Lidl stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland

- Reduced lighting
- No in-store announcements
- No music
- Priority queueing for customers dealing with autism as well as - extra assistance upon request
- Till scan sounds lowered
- Autism assistance dogs always welcome


Good idea? - any ideas on it?

I dont know why , but my skepticism always kicks in rather than thinking they are doing this for the benefit of the customer that I always think these businesses are doing new things for their own gain in the name of commercialism

Autism Aware Quiet Evenings

Could be a complete disaster. Most people would want to shop on these quiet evenings with no announcements and reduced lighting. Place will be mobbed. Autistic people will have a meltdown.