Buy Me a River

So I very much need the assistance of an economist. Someone who can enlighten me as to the sense behind English business theory. Why, when the typical office working day is from 9-6, do all shops in the town centre only stay open between 9 and 5:30? Small matter, you might say, for one always has an hour lunch break within which to take care of any errands. And so I said to myself today. Lovely weather outside, frightfully unusual as that is, I'll go for a walk and pick up the things I need. Only to then spend fifteen minutes fighting my way through the crowded streets to arrive in front of the store, step up to push my way in, and be pleasantly rebuffed by the door itself. Locked. With a little handwritten note saying 'Back at 2:15.' It's somehow as if these shops are trying to avoid all opportunities for business.

Add this to the phenomenon of '24 hour shops' closing on a Saturday evening, and only reopening for 6 hours on the Sunday, and one has a very laxadaisical approach to business. At least compared to the American version of buy what you want, when you want it. I always did enjoy going into Walmart in the early hours of the morning. Especially in Nacogdoches where all manner of creatures would appear to do their shopping. Here those creatures must do their shopping between 9 and 5:30. What a strange place this is...

Talk about your culture shock.