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Annie and I today took part in our annual bravery challenge and survived.
We went to our local supermarket to do a Christmas shop for all those things we need for the two day period while the shops are closed.
I often wonder if it would be like this if a third world war was declared. I imagine folks would dash out to the supermarket and stock up for months in fear of England being invaded!
As is my want, I was ‘people watching’ for quite a bit of the time we were in there.
I decided to pen my thoughts about some of the 'types' I saw.
The 'sightseer' shopper
This person seems intent on strolling, in a leisurely fashion, with their trolley, merely enjoying the sights. They do not appear to be particularly interested in taking things from shelves. They kind of, ‘gaze’ for a minute or two and then wander off down the aisle, seemingly content in their own little world.
The 'social' shopper
This person decides to have a discussion with her friend about her recent disastrous hair appointment. The growing crowd of shoppers grow increasingly impatient trying to reach the parsnips that are situated behind these two social shoppers having their deep and meaningful discussion.
The 'angry' shopper
This is the one who has had a row with his/her spouse about whether or not the shopping has to be done as a joint exercise. If looks could kill this person would have been a mass murderer in the supermarket today. No more explanation needed methinks
The 'aimless wanderer' shopper
This person is different from the sightseer shopper. This person seems to have no plan whatsoever. He/she will be seen following the flow of trolley traffic in one aisle. The next time you see this person they are going against the traffic. They do not appear to have any idea of where things are so they constantly find themselves going against the flow.
The 'laid back philosopher' shopper
This person has it all under control. He/she watches others rushing and looking stressed, rises above the mayhem and exudes an air of calm and authority. There is no look of frustration or anger – just sheer tranquillity.
I’m sure there are many more ‘types’ – please let me know. And by the way ..... which one do you fit into?
Here are your Christmas Shopping choices:
Choice 1
You drive from home in the rain to the City/Town Centre. Find a car park (usually pretty expensive rates). You walk to the shops in the rain and spend the next 5 hours wandering aimlessly and robotically around the shops browsing and selecting presents. Getting colder, getting more and more irritated by the bustle and barging of hundreds of other impatient shoppers. They appear to have no awareness that you are standing beside them. Getting wetter as you dodge in and out of the shops. Constant temperature changes so that you are either freezing cold outside in the rain or boiling hot inside the shops. Eventually you get back to the car fully loaded with bags and parcels. You load the boot and eventually get home – it’s still raining and you get wetter unloading the car. Eventually you sit down to enjoy that long awaited cuppa.
Choice 2
Do it all from the warmth and comfort of your own home on the Internet. (In my case Annie is the in-house expert)
Is it just me or is this a no-brainer?
Intrigued?? ....... For more pictures and explanation click here
At this time of goodwill to all, I was interested to see today’s report from the TUC that top executive salaries at FTSE 100 firms have risen seventeen times faster than their workers' pay.
More details can be seen by clicking here
The staff whose salaries have risen 17 times slower than their bosses will once again read the Annual Report of their company as it says each year; ‘We owe everything to our staff’
Mmmmmm … Bah Humbug!!
Each year in my working life for the last 36 years as Christmas approaches the pace of work generally slows down as everyone looks to do just enough to keep the ship afloat. Generally speaking this is not the time to start new projects and I have lost count of the times I have said over the years ‘we will sort that out in the New Year.’
I suspect most people are the same.
The run up to Christmas 2006 has been very busy for me and for the next day or so it will remain hectic. I am looking forward then to some relaxing time for a week or so.
I always think about staff in the National Health Service and the other essential services who have to work over the holiday period as normal.
My ‘Blogging’ over the next week or so will probably not be as frequent as normal and so I take this opportunity to wish all those who read Simplicity Blog a happy holiday time from both Annie and me.
Annie and I today took part in our annual bravery challenge and survived.
