The Motor Forum

PG · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject: The annual Merry Hell rant

I'm sorry but it's time to have my annual Merry Hell shopping centre rant. I had to go there at lunchtime to pay in some cheques to the bank (on account of their being no f****** way to post them

).

A few observations -
(a) the Christmas decorations were up. It's October ffs.
(b) just what is the point of half term? The poor darlings have had to endure a few weeks of getting up before 11am and attending "dole training", so they clearly need a week to wander aimlessly about, looking at shyte and tat and resting their brain cell (while texting each other).
(c) buy shares in Brakes - the caterers. There is a new food court (awful American concept) just opened. Now unless they've built very small kitchens designed for midgets to use, there must be a lot of lorries backing up every night unloading microwaveable / pre prepared junk. Because what I really want to do is queue up for some pre-prepared gunk (with added sugar, salt and E's no doubt to give it flavour) masquerading as "food" which I then eat at huge tables surrounded by the great unwashed, barely able to hear myself shout over the incessant noise. Are those of us for whom a meal out is a pint of real ale and some home cooked food in a pub, a dying minority? I fear so.
(d) Are a large portion of the human race (well the western human race) changing into vampires - that if they go outside in daylight they crumble to dust? Bring on Blade I say and help them on their way.
(e) I must applaud a bank for a change. Amongst this temple to all the worst aspects of consumerism, Lloyds TSB was a haven of calm. No piped muzak, polite staff and no queue.

Right, that's that off my chest. How are you all feeling about Christmas and consumerism?

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

Christmas, well I haven't seen any decorations in the shops yet but TBH I haven't been looking and I try and avoid town as best I can anywhay as I absolutely destest shopping, especially with the wife and little one in tow, it stresses me out, alot!!

I'm not too bad by myself as I know what I want and will go and get it and get out, I can't see the point in aimlessly wandering around, trying this and that on with no intention of buying it, why?
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BeN · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject:

I saw Christmas decorations being put up on Orchard Road (our shopping district), so it's a global phenomenon.
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scamper · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject:

This is where Martin tells us, his xmas stock was up at Easter.

When i think of shopping centres and consumerism i think of Dawn of the Dead

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

Arghhhhhh, I've just bought a can of coke with santa on it.
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Mummy, Daddy, Sissy, Sassy Baby.

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

I had my mother-in-law staying with us a fortnight ago and she was most confused by some of our neighbours who had their Christmas lights up and were 3 weeks early with their fireworks display.
I had to gently point out that it was their Diwali celebrations and that a letter to the local paper was not required.
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Keep Calm & Carry On.

maz · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:13 pm Post subject:

One good thing......

NO FUCKING WOOLWORTH's TV COMMERCIALS

Hurrah Hurrah

SpecB · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

They were putting the Christmas lights up in Yarm this morning.

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Mark

Martin · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

Eff One · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject:

So far it's all seemed a little more restrained this year than in previous years, particularly on TV. No lights up on local houses yet, either.

Even West Quay (local shopping emporium of Hell) wasn't actually too awful last Sunday - though I will still avoid it like the plague.

Aside from my wife's, I haven't bought any Christmas presents for at least three years, and so it will continue.
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Big Blue · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:07 pm Post subject:

Drove up Regent's Street last night after watching Couples Retreat in Piccadilly.

They were putting the lights up.

This year I fly to Slovakia on 22nd, eat Carp on 24th, fly to UK on 25th, eat Goose and play with kids on 26th, we all drive to France on 27th.

No TV, no Bank Holiday sales, conversation in a language I can barely understand 1% of....... great.
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Call the fire brigade, call the firebrigade......

I said FireBRIGADE......

DaveGibson · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

I went to Merry Hell about a month ago and was surprised to see the Calendar stall (next to M&S)already in place.

Apex clipper · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject:

We're about to start printing the xmas run of breadbags that have various christmas themes.

And you bloody lot are complaining!
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Chris M Wants a V-10 · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject:

The seasonal calendar shop has opened in one of the normally closed shops in the local shopping centre. The local supermarkets and Boots have had their Christmas edibles and gifts on sale for about 3 weeks now. I think Argos started selling artificial Christmas trees a week ago. Not seen the Christmas Lights in the streets yet.
One good side to half-term week is that traffic levels to and from work have been seriously reduced this week :-)
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Martin · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:42 pm Post subject:

Mike Amos · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:27 am Post subject:

I shall start looking into the c word on or about december 1st and not before, bah humbugs. Or eveton mints, whichever.
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Politicians. Would a career specialist by any other name carry such a putrid stench?

DradusContact · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

I quite enjoy going into Liverpool shopping. The sights you see are something to behold. Its also because i only do it (shopping) about 3 times a year its a good novely for me.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:44 am Post subject:

DC - "Its also because i only do it (shopping) about 3 times a year its a good novely for me."

You only go shopping 3 times a year? You must have a bloody big freezer!
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Roadsterstu · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:54 am Post subject:

Incessant DFS advertising.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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PG · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:58 pm Post subject:

Should be OK, since Amazon and Argos (IIRC) have taken their business elsewhere.

DradusContact · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

TimR · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject:

I was in Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh about a month ago and Debenhams had a stand of stuff with Christmas decorations on it just inside the door.

I was tempted to accidentally knock it over.

Parm · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

John Lewis near where I work have had their "christmas" stuff (trees, decor etc) on sale since the beginning of October! I remember when it was well into late November before a hint of Xmas hitting stores. I expect there will be a pre-Xmas Sale, then a pre-VAT change sale and then a new year sale to look forward too... NOT!
Thank god for on-line shopping...
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Mike Amos · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

"Nah, i kill whatever i want to eat."

In that case I have a good stuffed brown recipe you may care to try. I take no responsibility for the amount of alcohol required to wash him down tho'.

I know baked alaska is supposedly very nice but baked tird may not be sp agreeable.
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Politicians. Would a career specialist by any other name carry such a putrid stench?

Gooner · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:08 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't mind consumerism if it wasn't so bloody expensive!

Christmas always seems to come round sooner each year now we have kids and Mary keeps wanting to spend more each year on them. I'm just going to ignore it all and hope it goes away!
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Martin · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:27 pm Post subject: