I've dithered for months. No, years. Every Thursday, I set off to Devizes market, and come back laden with very heavy stuff; stuff I need, and, sadly, stuff I don't need (a huge bowl of lemons for £1? How can you resist?). But so far I have refused to buy a shopping trolley.
Shopping trolleys are for the old, the decrepit, those who can't carry all their stuff. In other words, shopping trolleys are for me. But I am in denial. I can carry my stuff; of course I can. And if it means putting seven heavy bags down in a puddle in order to pay for the eighth, well, that's ok, isn't it?
No. It's not. My arms are still aching from this morning's little jaunt, and the veg rack (Aliya, please note) is groaning under the weight of, among other things, onions as big as my head, which are far too big to be useful, and there are enough sprouts in the fridge to feed a small army. But rather than cut down on the shopping - I can't resist a bargain* - I am finally going to buy a shopping trolley. I actually went into a shop and looked at some this morning. They were hideous. And while I told myself that shopping trolleys aren't fashion accessories - they aren't in the same category as, say, handbags (I don't really do handbags, but that's another story) - I shall be getting one. Because it's the sensible thing to do.
But not yet.
*Someone once said that a bargain isn't a bargain unless it's something you want/need. Very wise, but hard to live up to.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So, at first I thought you were talking about what most Americans refer to as shopping carts but some call buggies (for use in the store). Some of what you said wasn't making sense for that, so I Googled and think I figured out what you're actually talking about.
ReplyDeleteNever seen those, but I live in the land where people drive their car two blocks.
Some of them are pretty stylin', Frances. You could be quite the hipster.
I used to borrow my mum's when I was pregnant with my daughter to take up to the market. I didn't mind using it at all, but I know what you mean, I wouldn't want to use one now.
ReplyDeleteI've seen people using little suitcases on wheels as shopping trolleys.
when I worked for the health service, they kitted all of us peripatetic therapists out with mini-suitcases on wheels to put all our files, assessments and therapy materials in. We christened ourselves the trolley dolleys!
ReplyDeletePredictably, I hated it (never have liked suitcases of any kind, vastly prefer roll bags and rucksacks) so, when I became an independent, I bought a crate on wheels from Staples - it held more, it was easier to take stuff out of and slot stuff into and, wonder of wonders, the telescopic handle was long enough for me!
You might want to try that avenue first...
Nevets - sreuly you can't all take cars out eveyr time? I can't bleieve that the US is a shopping trolley-free zone.
ReplyDeleteTeresa - a little suitcase might be rather fiddly, but sounds more, well, young...?
Alis - we don't have a Staples here, but sounds like a good idea. Tho' I have a horrible feeling that I shall succumb to the trolley eventually. A nice little man at the market is going to ring me and talk me through the different designs, number of wheels etc. How can I contain my excitement?
And (Alis) talking of waiting (we weren't, but you know what I mean), I'm dreading That Email. The bit where it goes: "I really liked the way you did this, wrote that etc, but..." Oh, that "but"!
@Frances - One of the biggest differences between US culture and probably much of the world is how much we drive for routine things. Part of that, though, is also the way our cities and towns have developed over the years into functional zones rather than traditional neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteTypically, things aren't as close here to where we live, so we get in the habit of driving. That creates the habit so that even if we end up moving some place where things are closer again, we've continue the habit because it just seems weird to walk to the store.
Adding to that, a lot of Americans are on biweekly pay periods, and do their shopping for their families for two weeks at a go which gets a little unwieldly.
Then, throw in the fact that we seem to like all-in-one centers and we're buying brooms and trashcans and pet cats at the same place as our meals, and it's a haul.
Then, finally, combine that with the fact that we're spoiled and want a whole lot of variety and exotic things so that often times when there *is* a local grocery people don't shop there as much because they can't get their Spotted Dick pudding, Marzipan bread, or pre-packaged Nan.
I'm sure there are trolleys somewhere here in the USA, but I've not seen them personally, and I've certainly never seen them advertised or promoted.
I agree with you all the way on this one Frances. Shopping trolleys are so useful but they have a stigma about them that makes them so uncool. Alis is right, the crate thingies on wheels are more an 'in' item. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Frances. Thought I'd mosey over here and return your favor. I'm glad I did. My advice? Go ahead and get one. Why? Because they'll cost a whole lot more when you REALLY need one. Get it now and you'll have yourself a bargain. Call it an investment.
ReplyDeleteHi, (a man called) Valance. Thanks for the visit. I think you're right. I shall buy one this week. I might even post a photo if it's a pretty one...
ReplyDelete