I have just returned from the giant Sainsbury’s on Finchley Road. It was like a fucking zoo. Supermarkets in London close on a Sunday at 4pm. This sparks some sort of panic stock-piling reaction in the city’s residents. Probably to do with the spirit of the Blitz. Or the post-war rationing. Or something. Regardless, there was several thousand people milling about, pushing a large trolley they couldn’t steer, without a list, each having brought at least one small person who appeared to have overdosed on sugar. The noise was deafening. I had to put on my iPod, but the ear bud speakers weren’t loud enough to drown out the sound of the woman behind me in the check-out queue explaining to her long-suffering husband what they would be having for their dinner tonight. For 17 minutes. And as I approached the pinging conveyor belt I remembered, you have to pack your own groceries here. What sort of god-forsaken heathen jungle is this? Then came the nectar card question. OMG. There was just way to much society going on for me to cope with today.
Bring on next weekend when I move back out to W4, and my groceries will be obtained via the internet, and delivered by a uniformed Ocado man, who will bring the colour coded bagged items into the kitchen, at a delivery slot of my choosing.
Comments
LOL! A friend of mine from London (Emma, who we travelled back to NZ with with) nearly fainted when, upon arriving here in NZ, on Xmas Eve no less, her and I “popped out” to the supermarket for a few extras. We got a park right next to the door, the shelves were fully stocked, and the general atmosphere was very calm and civilised. Bit of a difference to grocery shopping in London!
THINGS ARE DEFINITELY MUCH DIFFERENT HERE IN THE STATES–I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE THE CRAZINESS THAT WOULD ENSUE IF THEY CLOSED WAL-MART AT 4:00 ON A SUNDAY! UGH! AM LAUGHING AND FEELING YOUR PAIN SIMULTANEOUSLY!
Point of information, Madam Speaker: I spent ten years in London, before coming to NZ. I am here by choice.
my computer needs a witty-retort breathalizer. sorry dude.
Another reason for me to stay here in NZ; thank you. I have just seen the Tube service update as well: three out of eleven lines working.
it’s lucky your here to make up the suitably cynical people quotient
Point noted and committed to record.Madame Speaker
bitterandtwistedrantonone comment all in caps, another that starts with LOL!, and a 3rd from some dude without a passport. i dont know whether to laugh or die./bitterandtwistedrantoffmy album ended up having a pretend duck on the cover and being called “fly in formation”. i quite liked that.cheers
no biggie :)