Wednesday 21 October 2009

Supermarkets... yes they are convenient in as much as you can park right outside and you can buy everything under one roof. But I long for the return of local shops, the high street butcher, greengrocer and fishmonger. I remember as a child being taken shopping and yes, it took longer to get the weekly provisions but in every establishment we were given a friendly greeting and a smile. My mother would stop and chat whilst being served and it was a pleasant experience. These days it seems to be all about time. Rush round the supermarket no time to stop and pass the time of day.

The butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker knew his stuff and was always at hand with advice on the best cut of meat and how to cook it, the right size loaf or the longest burning candles. Now days the supermarket staff are not usually experts in any one field and, as hard as they might try, cannot be expected to know all the answers.

Forgive my half baked ramblings, I am becoming a grumpy old woman. I must use my loaf and remember that this is progress, apparently.

7 comments:

  1. Dear Julie,
    Back in them thar good old days, shopping was indeed a bit of an expedition. There was the good-natured chit chat and you got that added personal dimension between the shopkeeper and the customer. They knew you by name.
    I know it might seem rather impersonal these days. However, even in the fast-paced world of the supermarket; I usually manage to have a really pleasant conversation with the cashier. I address them by their name. Sometimes they respond, 'How did you know my name?' I reply, 'Well your tag has your name on it.'
    Still, you did get the expert touch from those in the specialised shops. You can still find that, to some degree, at the market stalls.
    Well, I'm going to end this comment very soon. I'm beginning to 'stall'. Before I go..sometimes I shudder to think when I see a shop that proudly displays the sign, 'Family Butcher'.
    Thanks for commenting on my blog.
    With respect, Gary xx

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  3. Well, I must be a grumpy old man then, because I love to buy from the person who owns their own business. I think the person filling the supermarket shelf couldn't give a toss what the customer thinks, and this reflects in the attitude towards a request for help. However the small shop keeper relies on your continued custom, and repays you with REAL SERVICE, which in my book counts way higher that a so called loyalty card. I think it's about time that the Tesco's and Sainsbury's of this world woke up to the fact that loyalty goes both ways!

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  4. Exactly Philip. But I suppose the person who fills the shelves is not really reaping the benefits like the small shopkeeper. But I have to say in defence of the shelf filler that they are not all as disinterested. Only yesterday we had a bit of banter with a lovely lady at the tills in Tesco, but then we were offering her nuts.

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  5. And I think It will be a long time before she has any more nuts off of a stranger

    XXX

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  6. Hello?
    Was my comment okay Julie?

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  7. Hi Gary, sorry I didn't comment on your comment. Thank you for reading my blog. And well done you for engaging the supermarket staff in jovial banter. Maybe all I need to do is make more of an effort? X

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