I love flying through checkout at ALDI...I hate it at other supermarkets when I get a slow checkout operator who wants to chat....just get me though fast please.

Floydy get a big shopper bag ...it fits inside the trolley and they whizz your shopping straight into it so no packing needed.....works for me.

I can't go to Aldi, for the very same reasons you list. I feel so stressed by the time of getting out and then having to get the £1 coin back out of the trolley.

Council ! Phoning the Council.

Starts off simple enough with a local dialling code number, so one thinks that although it during the day, land line will be cheaper.
Answered very quickly, but wait, .... we then have to go thorough various options. Initially giving us all the ways of contacting them and suggesting that by internet is the best option, followed up by giving the website. This is eventually followed by a recorded message giving a long list of options for telephone enquiries .. press , 1 for this, 2 for that, up to 5. Realising the dept. number I need is number 2, I press number 2 on my handset.

So, the music begins, but fairly quickly the ladies voice who has never changed in 15 years, comes back to me again. More options given , press 1 for this, 2 for that 3, etc. Once again , I need to press number 2.
That done the voice message says " we are currently experiencing high volumes of calls " and then the music kicks in.. wait, wait, until another automated voice comes back repeating " we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls ". Your waiting time is 15 mins.

With that the phone slams down. Two hours later, I went through the same process again... on and on and on, until " we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls " Your waiting time is 13 mins.

A third attempt was going to be 16 mins.

It's always the same and so it carries on, but I gave myself a days rest today. All the telecommunications code for customer care has disappeared . It 'always was, answer the phone in 4 rings. if you don't you get a bollocking.'

That's my bone of contention.

Glad you got home in one piece Floydy lol

I prefer to cause chaos.

Very good descriptive writing Floydy.
I lived that with you.

You should try your hand at short stories.

And that's why I came to Australia,the check out chicks pack the bags for you here.