As you know, I have a partner in crime on social media. Little MaldwyntheMouse has lots of adventures and fun as he discovers the world around him and also enjoys the many customs and festivities throughout the year. Through him, I have learned that fireworks are not readily available on the high street any more. I think I knew this, but the reality hit home yesterday as I was hoping to buy some sparklers for his Instagram post. This led me down the route of thinking about what else has been ‘lost’ over time: Andrews liver salts, only buying Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday, chemists – with little packs of bathcubes and other sundry items, wearing smartish clothes to go outside for shopping, being aware of other people (I was about to join a queue in the local supermarket, when an elderly lady rushed over and ‘bagged’ a place for her partner pushing a full trolley), post offices, people in banks, pushing stuffed effigies around the street, and no doubt many more.
Is the world a better place? Some may say it’s safer, we certainly don’t have the amount of firework related accidents any more, but the lack of a friendly face as you post a parcel, return a library book, buy some shopping – these are great losses. My local supermarket has reached the very nadir as its assistants now wear headphones to receive instructions while serving customers. Not good customer service. I walked away when the assistant began talking into the headset. I was trained to deal with the live person in front of me, then phone calls.
In other news, do go see Carmen this month or anything that Iryna Ilnytska is in or produces. You will not be disappointed. You will be amazed at her talent.
Karen Hedges 