Shopping
Images of Ordinary People #8
A slightly overweight man walked through the small village grocery store, expressing what we are all thinking these days, no matter how much we try to resist it. He didn’t use gestures or facial expressions, but expressed it directly, clearly, and with surprise, using three familiar words: God help us.
What was it about? All you had to do was look around you, where you would naturally see the usual goods, but when you looked at the price tag underneath and used a little critical thinking, you would understand. One hundred grams of raspberries for four euros, a bottle of oil for three euros, butter... well, it’s not worth talking about. Actually, just: God help us, God help us...
The man knew exactly what he was saying. As his body moved deeper into the store and his eyes saw more and more price tags with increased amounts, he slowly lost his inhibitions and went from quiet muttering to loud exclamations (in at least four different intonations), which provoked outward amusement among the other shoppers, but deep inside, melancholic understanding.
He was right. Prices have risen again, salaries are stagnant, there is no support from the state, and we all simply have to make do with what we have: dull phrases, insincere laughter, anxiety we cannot shake off, and, in the final stage, eyes ready to cry.
(Thanks to my dear Nadja for the idea.)
This text is part of a new series called ‘Images of Ordinary People’, which is published on this site. Subscribe for more stories: