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Interesting post there DT - always a challenge!
I think you are talking there more about a philosophy than the basic fundamental process of buying one's eggs and bacon. So much of the sentiments expressed, and it is sentimental in a way, a longing for the idyll, is not practical in these times.
The supermarkets are democracy in action. Sheer footfall dictates that they are here to stay. Of the grocery market, they probably account for something like 80% of the total spend. Its less if you take in their wider remit. So its democracy in action. Its what the man/woman on the clapham omnibus wants. If we were talking politics they would clearly form the next government.
We all like those lovely villages in Midsomer Murders(apart from the murder bit!) but you can bet everyone living there visits a large supermarket for their groceries.
I remember what life was like prior to supermarkets. Woman were generally housewives then and they went from hither to tither and probably spent all day doing it.
Mr Browns grocers
Mr Greens greengroces
Mr Smith the butcher
and so on. But they werent necessarily the wholesome entertaining experience Bern talks about. You might have gotten poor quality, bad service, high prices, lack of cleanliness here, obnoxious owners there, and very often you just had to put up with it. If they gave you some poor quality meat you could hardly complain as there was nowhere else to go!
It was not an ideal.
Thats why people embraced supermarkets bigtime when they arrived on the scene. They couldnt believe their luck or their choice. It made a real change from standing there face to face with your grocer and looking over his shoulder from across his counter trying to select the few goods on offer behind him. Some choice! He chose for you, because he bought in the goods you had in front of you. His choice was your choice!
But back to now. Its still not practical to shop small here in town. Let me take an imaginary walk. Ive already covered a mile and Im standing in Market Sq. Where do I go to buy a half dozen eggs?? Ok there's Somerfield, but no thats a supermarket, There's Marks and Spencer but no thats a supermarket(a supermarket that would add £1000 to my annual bill). Okay I'll stroll up this way to see if a shop turns up where I can find some eggs but when I find one will I trust the outlet...after all it is a perishible? Will I have the consumer confidence to buy there. Okay maybe Ive got my eggs..an hour has passed and Im pushed for time..I now need apples, where do I go for the apples..
My mother used to do that kind of thing, but no...shes gone and so is that era.
(I would add though that Im a fan of M & S even though its expensive and frequent there regularly)