Trolley troubles

“A trip, during the festive season, to a local supermarket (a Blighty bazaar to old jute-wallahs),” writes a Monifieth reader. “First comes the search for an appropriate, small or large trolley, followed by a swerving and collisionavoiding rush through the stores’ automatic portals.

“Then, after discovering your trolley has a damaged/broken wheel, the bumpy lopsided journey into that veritable maze of isles laden with ‘goodies’, many of which originate from distant lands where the sun’s rays still serve to ripen our fruit and veg.

“Within the great house of consumerism we encounter many of the stress-inducing situations met by drivers during rush-hour. Jaywalking trolley pushers, shoppers on their mobiles and quite oblivious to other people, groups of chatting folk, their trolleys ‘outspanned’ as Boer-trekker wagons braced for an attack!

“Another difficulty arises when someone runs off with the wrong trolley. Then there is the person who loses contact with their shopping partner, (yes, a situation experienced), one of

whom is hidden from view, checking out price-reduced goods, at the end of an aisle.

“Finally, with trolley full of ‘best buys’ the exhausted shopper, with a facial expression akin to a storm-trooper in combat, reaches the check-out desk, to be greeted by a cheerful ‘Merry Christmas’.”