Inspired by a journal I almost bought yesterday. This series of social commentary will consist of concise observations of people - behaving in a good, bad, annoying, pleasing (etc) manner - along with my attempt(s) at possible explanations and/or understanding.
Most WHSmith stores I know of are pretty cramped places. For example, the one on Lands Lane in Leeds city centre is a large store, but the aisle arrangement and the company's desire to stock a wide range of books and magazines has created a shopping experience which belies the generous floor space. And then there are smaller stores like the one I ventured into yesterday on Baker Street; not much larger than my parents' kitchen. No worries - I don't plan on writing to WHSmiths to offer advice - I don't exactly have the necessary retail experience.
BUT... I notice a lot of folk (mostly men it has to be said) insist on worsening the cramped situation by spending their entire lunch hour reading magazines from cover to cover (flick through by all means and make sure the magazine contains what you're looking for, but please do not read the entire issue) in the aisle, in front of the magazine racks. Why? Well I have given it some thought and have come up with a few possible reasons:
1. They cannot afford to buy the magazine, we are living in pretty difficult financial times after all. So whatever one is looking for; try the internet. Chances are, it will be in there somewhere!
2. They have nothing better to do with the lunch hour. Have a walk and get some fresh air considering being stuck in the office all morning. Or arrange to meet a friend or spouse for lunch or a drink. Obviously, still buy the magazine and read it in the comfort of one's own home with a cup of coffee or a balloon of brandy.
3. They are too tight-fisted to buy the magazine. I doubt there is any hope of reasoning with these people... wheel 'em out!
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in Episode #1 of "I wonder why people do that?" or if you are indeed a shop-reading-magazine-aisle-blocking person, then please get in touch and share your experiences.
Where I am there are some rather large stores and for some reason even larger people. Some people are regular size but they make sure and take up as much space as possible making it impossible to pass them in an isle. They will stop with their cart in the middle of the isle and just sit there, looking at their phone or list or maybe just resting. That draws on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteBoots winds me up. Why is it that you can't get out of that place without being harassed into getting a 3 for 2 offer? Sometimes i really don't want that extra hair mask, facial scrub, skin shimmer or firming cream. Shampoo and conditioner would do perfectly fine but i end up faced with stress and time wastage of choosing something which i will never use and actually makes the purchase more expensive than in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are spared of the 3 for 2 hell, we are confronted by the £5 off voucher. This is nice and all that,but i did only buy a sandwich and a bobble and now i feel as though i HAVE to go back to buy something immediately or give it away before the deadline is up, in the meantime it causes extra clutter in the wallet and i hate waste!!!
So Boots, PLEASE do chill out with the offers.