Offside Chat Archives (2014-2021)

I honestly don't get why they're cutting back on store hours. It feels like we're just picking the lesser of two evils here, but if that's the logic, then we should be sticking to it consistently. To me, any policy that basically forces everyone to cram into the same places at the exact same time is just a bad call. And honestly, the same goes for public transit. Either scrap the routes entirely or just let the buses run on their regular schedules like they always have.

Jessica Gonzalez said:Are you sure about that, or is it just a hunch? I'm leaning toward it being a guess.

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That's how it was explained—it's pretty logical, really.

restlesssurfer97 said:I honestly don't get why they're cutting back on store hours. It feels like we're just picking the lesser of two evils here, but if that's the logic, then we should be sticking to it consistently. To me, any policy that basically forces everyone to cram into the same places at the exact same time is just a bad call. And honestly, the same goes for public transit. Either scrap the routes entirely or just let the buses run on their regular schedules like they always have.

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All this does is create even larger crowds both inside and outside the stores—and the supposed reason for cutting hours was to minimize social contact... yet anyone who actually needs to buy something will find a way to do so regardless.
The only real difference now is that people are simply waiting in line just to get through the door.

What exactly makes it logical, though? Retailers haven't really been the main targets of the outbreak over the last few weeks, so I guess it's worth wondering how many people actually working in retail are even infected. You could probably argue it's either logical or illogical depending on how you look at it. Either way, the reality is that we're seeing the same amount of foot traffic squeezed into shorter windows. Even if you point out that there are capacity limits, stores end up losing money because they’re forced to operate for fewer hours. It feels like just another ad hoc decision made during this crisis—one of those moves that, in my opinion, doesn't seem based on any real data or deep analysis.

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How can you say they aren't at risk? What other line of work involves that much constant contact between people?

Just because we haven't seen a massive spike in cases among them yet doesn't mean it isn't coming.

Jessica Gonzalez said:What exactly makes it logical, though? Retailers haven't really been the main targets of the outbreak over the last few weeks, so I guess it's worth wondering how many people actually working in retail are even infected. You could probably argue it's either logical or illogical depending on how you look at it. Either way, the reality is that we're seeing the same amount of foot traffic squeezed into shorter windows. Even if you point out that there are capacity limits, stores end up losing money because they’re forced to operate for fewer hours. It feels like just another ad hoc decision made during this crisis—one of those moves that, in my opinion, doesn't seem based on any real data or deep analysis.

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It's not the same number of customers, though. Most people are shopping way less frequently now—they're stocking up once every few days—so the foot traffic in stores has tanked. It's not like the crowd stayed the same size; it feels like it's been cut in half everywhere.

ruggedjackal46 said:I can wrap my head around shops cutting back their hours, but closing up shop by 5 PM? That’s just a total slap in the face to anyone who doesn't have the luxury of working from home. And let's be honest—those are exactly the people who need these services to be accessible in the first place.

Exactly. Honestly, they are easily the most inconsiderate group in this entire mess. It isn't just enough that you're already being exposed to risks; you're also forced to work under conditions that are anything but normal. On top of that, the government hits you every two weeks with some new regulation—first it’s cutting off public transit, then it’s pass requirements, then switching up the passes again—instead of focusing on the 80% or 90% of the population who actually have the privilege of staying put. Working from home. Schooling from home. Or if you aren't making decent money, working from home is definitely out of the question.
And stores are operating during the exact same hours you are, so you'll just have to manage. Besides, even when you do make it home, God knows people look at you like you're some kind of walking threat—it's almost enough to make you feel like they'd rather throw you straight into a washing machine or, better yet, a woodchipper.

God help us all. ☕

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Honestly, this whole thing feels like they’re just pulling these measurements and restrictions straight out of thin air. I mean, you can wander from Brooklyn through New York City all the way to Spain and bump into half a million people without anyone even looking your way. But then, try leaving your small town to head to the next city over? You can't move an inch without some bureaucrat giving you the green light. It’s wild—you can't even get a few thousand people together to take to the streets and line up 😁

Then again, there’s a tiny part of me that kind of finds this funny. Every little village used to dream of becoming its own municipality, wanting total independence and the right to call all the shots. Well, here you go—now you realize you're always tied to the big city no matter what.

Look, we just need to hold our ground. I'm just hoping this massive march through Central Park... doesn't end up being the death of us.

hiddencyclist112 said:Exactly. Honestly, they are easily the most inconsiderate group in this entire mess. It isn't just enough that you're already being exposed to risks; you're also forced to work under conditions that are anything but normal. On top of that, the government hits you every two weeks with some new regulation—first it’s cutting off public transit, then it’s pass requirements, then switching up the passes again—instead of focusing on the 80% or 90% of the population who actually have the privilege of staying put. Working from home. Schooling from home. Or if you aren't making decent money, working from home is definitely out of the question.
And stores are operating during the exact same hours you are, so you'll just have to manage. Besides, even when you do make it home, God knows people look at you like you're some kind of walking threat—it's almost enough to make you feel like they'd rather throw you straight into a washing machine or, better yet, a woodchipper.

God help us all. ☕

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just shop online 😁

I'm sure you have one free day a week where you can just stroll out, grab what you need for the next few days, and not have a heart attack.

Jessica Gonzalez said:What exactly makes it logical, though? Retailers haven't really been the main targets of the outbreak over the last few weeks, so I guess it's worth wondering how many people actually working in retail are even infected. You could probably argue it's either logical or illogical depending on how you look at it. Either way, the reality is that we're seeing the same amount of foot traffic squeezed into shorter windows. Even if you point out that there are capacity limits, stores end up losing money because they’re forced to operate for fewer hours. It feels like just another ad hoc decision made during this crisis—one of those moves that, in my opinion, doesn't seem based on any real data or deep analysis.

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And what other industry is even at risk, besides doctors and medical staff? Personally, I'd say none of them. Most of it seems pretty individual.

Retailers should be staying open longer, not shorter. It’s just creating crowds, mostly outside rather than inside. I mean, yesterday the Walmart in Madison Square Garden was packed. This whole thing is a missed opportunity. Same goes for these passes.

urbanhawk17 said:And what other industry is even at risk, besides doctors and medical staff? Personally, I'd say none of them. Most of it seems pretty individual.

Retailers should be staying open longer, not shorter. It’s just creating crowds, mostly outside rather than inside. I mean, yesterday the Walmart in Madison Square Garden was packed. This whole thing is a missed opportunity. Same goes for these passes.

And since when is people crowding outside such a big deal? What, is someone gonna sprout a tumor? Seriously, if people would just bring a list and actually know what they're looking for, there wouldn't be half these crowds. But nope, you've always got those idiots wandering aimlessly through the aisles because they have zero clue what they need—classic. Look, the crowds happen because we have capacity limits on how many people can be in the store at once—like, let's say 10 or 12 people max—so yeah, people are gonna have to wait outside. Deal with it.🙄

wiredrider9 said:And since when is people crowding outside such a big deal? What, is someone gonna sprout a tumor? Seriously, if people would just bring a list and actually know what they're looking for, there wouldn't be half these crowds. But nope, you've always got those idiots wandering aimlessly through the aisles because they have zero clue what they need—classic. Look, the crowds happen because we have capacity limits on how many people can be in the store at once—like, let's say 10 or 12 people max—so yeah, people are gonna have to wait outside. Deal with it.🙄

What’s the issue with them staying open until 8? I mean, what's really happening during those three hours between 5 and 8?

urbanhawk17 said:What’s the issue with them staying open until 8? I mean, what's really happening during those three hours between 5 and 8?

And what's the issue with working until 5 AM? Is it not "comfortable" enough? Or is it just because people hate waiting around?

wiredrider9 said:And what's the issue with working until 5 AM? Is it not "comfortable" enough? Or is it just because people hate waiting around?

People are going to be stuck waiting around until 5 or 8 because these local corner stores can't handle more than ten people at a time.

And honestly, does it even matter if they close at 5 or 8?

urbanhawk17 said:People are going to be stuck waiting around until 5 or 8 because these local corner stores can't handle more than ten people at a time.

And honestly, does it even matter if they close at 5 or 8?

The big difference is they’re moving to shifts—right now, from what I gather, people are basically working one day on, then taking a day off, or maybe doing two or three days straight followed by a few days off just so fewer people have to deal with the exposure. But look, the real kicker is that some folks don't even have a car—they're stuck relying on public transit. Like, if you live out in a suburb near Phoenix, the buses stop running around 6 or 7 PM. So if your shift runs until 8, how exactly are you supposed to get home? You gonna hitchhike?

wiredrider9 said:The big difference is they’re moving to shifts—right now, from what I gather, people are basically working one day on, then taking a day off, or maybe doing two or three days straight followed by a few days off just so fewer people have to deal with the exposure. But look, the real kicker is that some folks don't even have a car—they're stuck relying on public transit. Like, if you live out in a suburb near Phoenix, the buses stop running around 6 or 7 PM. So if your shift runs until 8, how exactly are you supposed to get home? You gonna hitchhike?

So everyone else—except for retail workers—just happens to have a ride? Must be nice.

What about the people working until 5 or 6 PM? How are they supposed to grab groceries?

urbanhawk17 said:So everyone else—except for retail workers—just happens to have a ride? Must be nice.

What about the people working until 5 or 6 PM? How are they supposed to grab groceries?

Look, if you're clocking out at 5 or 6, you probably have a day off during the week, or some family member can run an errand for you. Plus, there's freaking Amazon and grocery delivery now—it's not like stores aren't open on Sundays anymore.😲

wiredrider9 said:Look, if you're clocking out at 5 or 6, you probably have a day off during the week, or some family member can run an errand for you. Plus, there's freaking Amazon and grocery delivery now—it's not like stores aren't open on Sundays anymore.😲

And for those of us working regular hours, I suppose there's always someone at home who can drop us off at 8:00 AM.

What, am I supposed to just buy a week's worth of bread and meat from Walmart on Sunday?

Great idea.

urbanhawk17 said:And for those of us working regular hours, I suppose there's always someone at home who can drop us off at 8:00 AM.

What, am I supposed to just buy a week's worth of bread and meat from Walmart on Sunday?

Great idea.

seriously, you gotta buy meat and bread? relax, nothing's gonna happen to you. just bake your own bread—it'll be better, healthier, and way cheaper—instead of trying to source yeast through some black market deal somewhere.🤣