Battle Field

I love Christmas atmosphere, and basically I love shopping. But I don't like shopping at a supermarket during this season in the UK. Because it's a sort of battle field! I can avoid crowded bargain hunting battle field, but as for daily products, no, I can't. It's a fundamental thing we have to do in order to survive (we don't have a freezer.)!!

When I enter a supermarket, I always feel as if I am dressed in armour and warrior helmet, and hold a small weapon (a shopping basket). But my petite Japanese armoury seems weak among people with strong physique with a strong weapon (a big trolley).

My Barometer of Frustration (Level 1-5);

• Level 1; I can't understand why there was a nibbled bread on a shelf...
• Level 2; People are too busy checking prices and searching products. They push and arch a big trolley in narrow aisle unconsciously. They can't see any other customers.
• Level 3; People bring a big trolley alongside a shelf and block other customers' way.
• Level 4; An aisle is completely blocked by trolleys. Someone left a trolley between two trolleys for picking up products he wanted.
• Level 5; My spirits sink when I face a long queue at the cash register. Each customer puts a pile of food on a counter...

'Calm down, calm down, it's not always, it's only for special occasions...' I usually endure these level. But today 'alert' was issued.

Hazard Area;

• Cashier had a machine trouble. We had extra minutes' wait for it.

My enemies were not only other customers, but also a cashier today! I felt as if I was given a strong kick from behind and my armour and helmet slashed into two with his sharp sword.

• An old cashier man asked me 'Could you show me your ID for an alcohol?'

Huh? I am not under 18. I look my age in Japan. I admit I am petite and look younger here but I've  never been asked to show ID! He probably realised I open-mouthed and was left speechless. Rather I hesitated to refute, because I don't know how old I look like for them. He said 'Sorry for asking'.

The wounded soldier became grumpy and left the battle field...

Generally looking younger than I am is not too bad, but I have a mixed feeling about to be looked under 18 year-old as someone in her 40s. I prefer to look my age.