Over the last year I have come to the conclusion that if you're going to move to a new town, then a visit to the local Tesco beforehand will give you a good indication of the local residents. I think they're all different.
I can't shop at my local Tesco in Swindon. The place is full of the aforementioned couples sporting matching England football shirts that are 5 sizes too small with their bellies poking out the bottom, crowds of people standing in the vegetable aisles waiting for the cucumbers to jump out and do a little dance. People who have absolutely no concept of trolley control as they ram you at full speed and then look at you as if you had done it to them. On my last visit, I just dumped my half full basket and ran out of the store shouting "FREEEEAKS!". Exeter was bordering on this as well, although nowhere near as bad.
But then you travel up the road for about 10 miles from Swindon and try the one in Cirencester. An altogether different experience. A lot more laid back. You can get down the aisles without being jostled by a woman who's desperately trying to get to the pavlovas because she hasn't eaten a whole one in 10 minutes. You can actually detect some common sense going on.
Then there's my old hometown of Talbot Green in Mid Glamorgan and it's a joy to visit. Convivial atmosphere, people merrily going about their business but as quickly as possible, and the people on the checkouts are always very friendly and like to engage in a bit of chat.
There's probably a PHD waiting to be done on this.
I can't shop at my local Tesco in Swindon. The place is full of the aforementioned couples sporting matching England football shirts that are 5 sizes too small with their bellies poking out the bottom, crowds of people standing in the vegetable aisles waiting for the cucumbers to jump out and do a little dance. People who have absolutely no concept of trolley control as they ram you at full speed and then look at you as if you had done it to them. On my last visit, I just dumped my half full basket and ran out of the store shouting "FREEEEAKS!". Exeter was bordering on this as well, although nowhere near as bad.
But then you travel up the road for about 10 miles from Swindon and try the one in Cirencester. An altogether different experience. A lot more laid back. You can get down the aisles without being jostled by a woman who's desperately trying to get to the pavlovas because she hasn't eaten a whole one in 10 minutes. You can actually detect some common sense going on.
Then there's my old hometown of Talbot Green in Mid Glamorgan and it's a joy to visit. Convivial atmosphere, people merrily going about their business but as quickly as possible, and the people on the checkouts are always very friendly and like to engage in a bit of chat.
There's probably a PHD waiting to be done on this.