Chaos!
Chaotic situations.
Today I went shopping for the monthly food but I was by myself, Mrs. F being at work.
Because there are various things we need from different supermarkets, I needed to visit three shops for most of our provisions.
First of all I went to Aldi. Not because I'm tight but because they have some very nice continental foods that the other supermarkets charge the earth for. And they are delicious. I've been there before with my wife and I'm quite happy to push the trolley while she spends my wages. I'm also wary of what's going on around me too. You really do need to pick the right time of the day to shop there.
Today I didn't.
The pensioners were long gone and back at home eating their Garibaldi biscuits as it was approaching school leaving time (on a Friday) and the place was rammed with women with prams full of sprogs with another couple of toddlers in tow flying around the shop shouting and bawling, which encourages the obese mother to do the same. Fine. No worries, I can tolerate that having got two (sometimes three) grandkids of my own.
But then there was the checkout, which sends me hyperventilating into a psychedelic whirl of utter confusion as firstly I am told to "Put your trolley the right way round thank you!" and then at supersonic speed the checkout operator scans and throws my food items into a space no bigger than a dinner tray. I tried to back my bags at the same time but that was impossible.
"You don't come here very often do you?" the bespectacled headmistress enquired of me. "I'm usually with my wife" I said as I tried not to think about wanting her head on a pointed stick to throw tomatoes at. "Throw it all in your trolley and go to the shelf at the back and then pack your
bags". I paid, gave her a scowl and duly obliged. Cutting this short, that was only the savory items, I had to go back into that temple of hell and fire to then buy all my frozen and chilled stuff. This time it was better as I was now an expect at Aldi shopping but I really couldn't wait to get out of there. I got to my car, unloaded the bags and sat inside wishing I could regain the five years and grey hair I had just lost.
Next I went to Tesco, which in comparison was dreamlike. Still loads of teenagers about but it was lovely and free and easy as I ventured down those wide aisles loading my three-wheeled trolley (the fourth wheel just spins vigorously round and round). The checkout was beautiful. I know them all anyway 'cos my wife works there. "Any help with your packing?". "Have a nice day", etc. Sorted. I didn't bother with Asda as I needed a coffee fix desperately so went home.
Now before I'm accused of being sexist (again), is it me or do women take all of this in their stride?
I know my wife loves her part-time job there as she can natter about Jennifer's awesome rhododendron bush or about Mr and Mrs Bailey's Nile Cruise. But women do cope better in these situations don't they?
Getting to the point then:
What are the chaotic situations you are faced with and how do you cope? Supermarkets, airports, car parks? Whatever.