Static

[molly]

Why is it in some shops (eg my local woolworths and Sainsbury's) I keep getting small shocks whenever I touch various thing such as shelfs, doors, etc?

[Spongebob]

Static electricity generated when two insulated surfaces touch - like the soles of your trainers and nylon carpet. This causes an exchange of charge - you start becoming negatively charged and you leave positively charged footprints (or vice versa). Not sure why woolies and sainbury's though, I think big stores are usually pretty careful about what they use for floor coverings - maybe its the shops or offices you visit before going in to these stores.

[Hippy]

This happens to me at the Co-op, and I have discovered that it only happens when I wear a particular jacket. It must contain nylon (notorious for generating static electricity). The shelves earth me as I touch them and the charge is disipated through my finger. Ooooch!

[Spongebob]

Oooooch indeed - the spark is extremely hot and will burn a microscopic hole in end of your finger. Also not good for electronic equipment - Mrs Spongebob fried our burglar alarm several times with static elelctricity before I realized what was happening and attached a remote key switch.

[katiesara]

I used to find this was even worse when I was pushing my sons pushchair around - woolworths was definitely the worst offender!!

[JAW67]

It happens to me too, and I find Woolworths is one of the worst. It's particularly bad around the Christmas season with all the tinsel!

[incitatus]

stores like this tend to be airconditioned. static buildup requires dry air, and so aircon stores allow you to gather more static before earthing it. also the blowers on the door charge you up nicely with static.