It is perhaps less about the act itself and more about building confidence. You managed to do it, despite the frustration, and that is no small feat. In the real world getting help with things is not something to be ashamed of but neither is it strictly necessary all the time. Just my 2 cents as someone who would prefer shopping with assistance when I can.

I think what we are talking about here is that there are some things that are possible but not worth it. It's a picking battles thing. I know a couple of people who use wheelchairs and while it's a really bad idea to compare situations, they also have a list of stuff that's possible but too much of a faff when you can often just ask someone.

Personally I take the view that sometimes, asking for help frees up more time for things that are more worth the effort, but it's a philosophical thing really.

Good question. Why would they do that and what end that sounds really impractical and not at all helpful, and counterproductive. It sounds very far fetched and just useless. Sorry. No thanks.


What exactly are you suppose to do? How are you suppose to get through it and shop? I am quite independent and recognized widely as such thank you very fricking much. And I get an assistant when I go shopping thanks a lot! That doesn’t mean you’re not independent!!!!!!!!! *sigh dramatically* :D sometimes being independent and an adult and growing up is recognizing when you can’t do it, part of being confident is knowing when you need to ask for help. And you know what that doesn’t mean you are any less. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.

It’s just not effective to do it on your own.

We’re not asking or saying or at least I am not, to be coddled, sheltered, and let mummy do everything absolutely everything for you, nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Of course not! And not even highly depend on people. But all of us asks for help and assistance even sighted people. You can be the extra stubborn one and never ever ever asks for any help whatever.

We don’t have to go to either extreme. Being your own person, making your own decisions, doing daily tasks by yourself, getting out on your own traveling the city by yourself all great. Shopping on your own/ that’s a bit much sorry.


What do they demand you do anyway?

I live alone and have no family. My friends all work full time jobs. I have to shop alone, simple as that. I don’t really use any aids or anyone? But I also mostly shop at H-Marts or smaller Asian stores. Pretty easy compared the time I attempted Walmart alone. I can’t read most of the text anyway but it’s not that big of deal for me.

If I need something hyper specific like a certain medication then I might ask the shop keep for help? But I normally just grab it on my own. It takes way longer but I don’t mind.

I think it’s a confidence thing.

Probably to prove to you that you can do it but it’s not at all time efficient. My wife does most of the in person shopping simply because she can see where I get overlapping images and have a narrower visual field so I miss things or take forever to find them. Time is precious and it’s stupid to waste it if there are other options.

As someone from the UK living in London I'd love this. IN the UK or at least in London and in my experience, they don't really have much for the blind, once you've left school/college, you're basicly on your own when it comes to mobility.

Oh you can get a mobility trainer but there's no garentee they're actually good at their job.

So a rehab place where you can learn skills like this would be amazing for me.

Throw me in the middle of a city and tell me to find my way back home and i'd love it.

Tell me to shop with no asistance? I'm there, sign me up!

So you know you can do it? If you know how to find what you can, or find help in shopping, that’s an important skill, instead of relying entirely on a sighted friend/family to shop with/for you. This way, if something happens, and your usual sighted help isn’t available, you’re still able to go get your groceries yourself.

Now if they forbid you from asking for help from store staff during this exercise, that’s just unhelpful and kind of pointless.

might inead be a confidance thin but pritty pointless if you ask me.
I mostly get help when i go shopping it be friends, an employ at set store or the person who usualy helps me whit that kind of stuff.
Caz even if you know the store upside down and inside out you can still walk out with a product that is about to expire way sooner than you might expect or the wrong brand or flavor.