RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30214, 20 August 1963, Page 20

RANDOM REMINDER

WAITS AND MEASURES

The growth of suburban shopping centres "'has been one of the more easily recognised phenomena of the post-war years. And with all the mortar and glass, there has arisen a new sort of New Zealand institution, the shopping centre gossip circle. , It has become' standard practice for housewives to take themselves off for the morning shopping chiefly to meet their friends, to exchange news of their husbands’ shortcomings. and those of the woman next door, provided the woman next door is not near at hand. There was a time years ago when women going shopping dressed in

their finest, to impress their acquaintances. Now, with the regular publication of public service salaries, that necessity has largely disappeared, and women go to the shops in what might politely be termed comfortable wear.

Everyone, after a while, knows everyone. And that was why a newlymarried young man. in that highly-polished state which precedes the start of the working day, had difficulty when he went shopping. He was, as mentioned, newly married, and that was why he agreed to buy the week-end meat at only the second asking. But he obviously did not conform to the sartorial

pattern set by others thronging the pavements. In the butcher’s shop, one customer was in possession when the young man entered, and three more came in after him. To the surprise and considerable indignation of the young husband, who coughed, shuffled, and tried to make himself conspicuous without resorting to standing on his head or making Indian war cries, all the others were served, and he was ignored. But at last all the others had had their wishes met and the man ordered his lamb chops. Then it was the butcher's turn to be embarrassed.

“I thought you were a traveller,” he said.