Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Barry]

You're right about the hifi shops. It's been a number of years now. Though I do occasionally pop into Richer Sounds if I'm passing...

I actually buy very little online, mostly just replacement blades/bits for my power tools. Usually I look online for which places sell what I'm seeking, then go to the nearest physical shop that stocks it.

Good for you Steve. It's no wonder shops are disappearing because customers go in, are given advice (and maybe a demonstration) - then go and buy on-line, because it is cheaper!

[Pigmy Pony]

That is a sad fact of the times we live in, but I couldn't do that. It offends my sense of fair play.

[Ian7633]

I rarely do clothes shopping nowadays what with being pretty much housebound through illness. I used to hate sifting through the fat bastards section, a laughable selection of shapeless sacks and totally overpriced rubbish. Then I discovered that buying clothes from the U.S.A. was so simple. The sizes are actually properly worked out and the clothes are not just sized up versions of normal gear. The quality is usually very good and prices are much better than here, even if you include shipping and possible import tax and V.A.T. Delivery times are usually around a week to ten days and if I should need to return anything most big stores cover the return cost. It's quite nice to not need to buy the biggest size and hope for the best too.

[Marco]

I spend six days a week out in the real world, that's enough for me But I find going out shopping for clothes to be a rather soulless experience, thankfully it only happens occasionally, when I'm with Mrs. P. She is quite sympathetic to my plight, and can see when I'm losing the will to live - which is usually during the walk from the car park to the shops.

That's fine, but we're quite different in that respect, both in terms of the influence of our respective lifestyles, and the things we enjoy. I'm at home most of the time, so like to get out into the 'real world' and interact with my fellow man, which is one of the reasons why I prefer shopping physically, but also because I quite enjoy shopping *if* it's for something I like - and *if* it's a relaxing, non-stressful experience.

And living where I do (largely away from any big cities and their associated crowds) and being able to shop at times outside of when it's busiest, even supermarket shopping is non-stressful and not totally soulless, depending on where I go. And unlike you, I really enjoy trips to places (such as we're discussed before) like Shrewsbury, to do the likes of Christmas shopping, as there are some really nice individual, privately owned shops, selling lovely things that aren't mass produced or available on Amazon, so I enjoy that and the whole 'vibe' of Christmas.

The only shops I'm interested in browsing are tools, hifi or record shops. For anything else I have a 3-step process: 1. Decide what I want to buy 2. Go to shop and buy it 3. Go home or to the pub.

I'm sure I'm not the only bloke who does this.

No, you defo won't be. Tools don't really interest me, as I'm not into DIY, so I'm far happier in a bric-a-brac or antiques shop, than in a tools shop, where I'd be bored within 5 mins. Record shops yes, big time. However, sometimes when we're out shopping, I've left Del to it, to wander round, and I wait for her in the pub and read a hi-fi or car mag, whilst enjoying a pint. It all depends on what she's wanting to look at.

Marco.

[Marco]

Good for you Steve. It's no wonder shops are disappearing because customers go in, are given advice (and maybe a demonstration) - then go and buy on-line, because it is cheaper!

Indeed, and for me that's scumbag behaviour. A big part of the reason why our town centres are dying is because the tightwad/skinflint 'Joe Public' are too obsessed with price and not enough about quality. Everything's got to be cheap, cheap, cheap....!

Does my fucking head in.

Marco.

[Pigmy Pony]

And living where I do (largely away from any big cities and their associated crowds) and being able to shop at times outside of when it's busiest, even supermarket shopping is non-stressful and not totally soulless, depending on where I go. And unlike you, I really enjoy trips to places (such as we're discussed before) like Shrewsbury, to do the likes of Christmas shopping, as there are some really nice individual, privately owned shops, selling lovely things that aren't mass produced or available on Amazon, so I enjoy that and the whole 'vibe' of Christmas.


Marco.

A day out shopping on the run up to Christmas is an exception for me, and I enjoy that experience. Often Keswick, 2 years ago it was Shrewsbury (on your recommendation and very nice too). So where are you sending me this year?

[Marco]

Anywhere that's open!

Marco.

[walpurgis]

I gather "Madame Fifi" establishments are open to pre-booked 'specials' next week.

[Macca]

I gather "Madame Fifi" establishments are open to pre-booked 'specials' next week.

It's a good point though, lockdown doesn't apply to knocking shops as they aren't supposed to exist anyway.

There's one round the corner. It's been there since at least the 1980s although the name changes occasionally, What gets me is that they have tables with parasols and plastic tropical plants out in the rear yard, even though the back lot behind the buildings is otherwise complete Victorian industrial dereliction Think of the cover of 'Crisis? What Crisis?' and you're not far off. It looks really bizarre,

[walpurgis]

How do you know what they keep in the back yard?