The sales..

        People got up, and queued in the wet, and cold for the post Christmas sales today. I hasten to say, I was not amongst them. Oh, in the past I have gone to odd sale or two. Particularly when I lived in the West end of London, and I was much younger. With accompanying energy, or madness, I suppose. However, even then, I quickly came to the conclusion it was crazy. The people, kicking, pushing, and becoming feral, and even worse. The media talked of it then too, of the comaraderie, the good humour they saw, of people staying out in bad conditions. I saw nothing of that spirit, It got quite physical back then. Of course, it may not be the same today. Then, the women, for they were all women, were snatching at bits of this, and that, whatever they could see, from big tables. There were a few older men, standing on the sideIines, I remember. No doubt thinking very much as I did, but what do I really know. They may have been guards.

        At that time, and in that area, the worst were Arab looking, middle aged women. They used one hand to hold on their head covering, whilst snatching at stuff with the other. They were agile with their elbows too though.  I remember thinking to myself at the time, I bet these women are not short of a bob or two. For at that time, we had a big holiday population from the United emirates. They had the money from oil, and they came to London for a big spend up. Staying a few months, for the shops, and some culture, every year.

          In more recent times, I have seen the same type of large family groups in Australia, on the Gold Coast. If there are still groups going to London, I wouldn't know. In London, back then,  I don't know whether they sent their servants to get household stuff, or it was the lesser members of the family there. I don't know, but they were determined to get the bargains. I say that because I am unable to believe the rich ladies, the wives, would do such an activity. Would do anything other than hold themselves aloof. Also, why would they need to?

         I still remember it vividly, it was an unpleasant experience. I don't remember leaving the scrum, but I do remember standing on the sidelines, clutching a couple of bits of crockery, and watching the madness. Thinking to myself, was I really in the middle of all of that? With those crazies, in the rugby scrum. I paused there, watching for a while. I probably left the shop, and got into the street shortly after. With my bargains, or without, I can't remember. It was a sale in the basement of a large store, Harrods, or Barkers or some such. Mostly household, china, and the like. I can't imagine what I wanted, or why, but I bought nothing much that day. I tended to try a few big sales for a couple of years, I always admired fine china, good sheets. Later, I went to the sales in the clothes shops. Although I never, ever got up early, waiting in line for the shops to open at six. I looked at the photos in the papers, or on tv, of the coats for a pound, or tv's for next to nothing. I though, preferred to go through the shops later, and take my time. it was still crazy busy, and the big bargains were gone, but that was fine by me. There were always plenty of bargains left.

          I don't know if everyone likes a bargain, or if it's just some of us. If there is a breed of bargain hunters out there. There could be, because it has little to do with how flush with money I am. I know I, like nothing better than to find a bargain. It feels a  real victory to me. To do this, I have found it necessary to be an impulse buyer. It is futile to go out on a particular day, and say 'I'm looking for a coat', or 'a new pair of shoes'. For me, it just doesn't happen. I become more, and more depressed, as I become tired. Everything is too big, too small, too bright, or poor material, whatever. Many times, I have gone to find something, or been persuaded to, only to have to give up. It NEVER works, never.

          Today, again, there they were, in their queues, ready for the fray. I couldn't help but wonder, are they also impulse buyers? Are they looking all the time, everywhere, as I do. Do they halt, suddenly, at a shop window, when they see a sale sign, and an attractive shape. Or, do they save it all for the big, real sales with the early starts, like today. No interviewer ever asks that question do they.

            There were still some good bargains when I went out later. I could have bought lots of beautiful stuff. However, even if buying in a sale, the money spent, soon adds up. You have to have disposable income to be able to go shopping, even if only to the sales. Whilst I, in common with many people right now, with the enconomy biting harder than ever, have none. So, I looked a little, in passing, felt a couple of fabrics, but bought nothing. Rather disappointing , I thought.

            There are those, who take out Christmas loans to tide themselves over this expensive period! There are others, who ask for cash as presents, a wise idea. So that they are able to shop in the sales now. Personally,  I know, if I were those borrowers, I would far rather go without all year, than get myself  in debt. There are finding bargains, then there is digging yourself into a hole for the year, or longer.

           So, to all those youngsters out there, who want the latest 'stuff', I say....think!  Decide what sort of shopper you want to be. Save every penny you can, so that when you see a must have bargain, you too can impulse buy. Or, at least not end up in debt.

           In addition, you will not have to risk hypothermia queuing outside, in the elements, for the sales either!

          Happy hunting......