It’s that time of year again. The clocks are going back and the days are getting colder and shorter. There is a noticeable buzz in the air in the malls and in the department stores and in the high street. People are scurrying by with purpose, heads down and weighed down, carrying bags stuffed with gifts and food, rolls of wrapping paper poking out of the top. The decorations are up, caught by the wind and swinging between the street lights but they are not yet illuminated, not yet switched on. They are waiting for some local hero or soap star to come.
The shelves have been filled with trinkets and baubles, red, green and gold, glistering and inviting people to put their hands deep into their pockets, asking to be bought. There is fruit in bottles, beer in presentation cases and chocolates in foil wrappers, novelty socks and cartoon night ware. What was pastel pink and lemon is now maroon and sage, what was cotton and linen is now wool, cashmere, tartan and tweed. Things that would not sell a month ago have become a must have as tokens of love and appreciation to be exchanged for smiles and gratitude.
The lights are turned up and the heat is turned up and everything is laid out before you in a tempting array of offerings to the god of shopping. The prices are turned up as well and the pressure is on to buy that something special. Something she likes and that reflects her personality and shows that you care, care enough to put the effort in. Something that shows you have been listening and have taken an interest, something that says you know her.
Everyone else seems to have it sorted. They tell you how many days there are to go or that they’ve finished already or that they got it all in the sales and that they did it all on-line but none of this is helping as I stand in front of the bright and shiny displays, rooted to the spot, wooden and useless. All around are presents, souvenirs to bring back, alms to bear, mammon but they might as well be exhibits at a museum. I’m looking but I’m not buying. I’m showing an interest but I’m just not sure. I know she would like that but I bought the same last year. That she wouldn’t like as it’s just not her colour. The other would be nice but it’s too personal and it is so easy to get it wrong but I could get a gift receipt.
My head is spinning but I am in suspended animation. The world is rushing by but I am frozen in time. All is silence but I hear the noise of people as if I was at the swimming baths. It is just not working, I am lost and it is hopeless.
I have shopper’s block.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 