At the Supermarkets

The big supermarkets are vast buildings, many stores high, centrally located, within easy reach of the residential areas, are linked by public transport to all parts of the city. Supermarkets are open Monday through Friday, some of them work non-stop.

They are well laid-out and equipped with speedy lifts and escalators, with well-planned lighting, ventilation; air conditioning, descents for physically disabled people.

Most of the food stores operate on the self-service system: you go in, pick up a wire basket or a shopping trolley and walk round the shop looking for bargains. The goods are tidily arranged on the shelves and have are clearly marked prices on them. All through the shop there are many assistants to attend to the needs of the customers.

The large number of items on sale, the open display of goods and the swift service draw customers to such shops. Supermarkets have a huge sales area with a lavish assortment of goods.

Perishables - cold meat, meat, fish, milk, daily products are kept in special reach-in refrigerator units. There is a freezer for frozen products. Each item has a label which indicates the date, price, weight and cost. The special vacuum packaging ensures that foods retain their quality up to a certain number of days or weeks.

Supermarkets play a dirty trick on the customers: practically every shopper is tempted to buy things he or she does not need or cannot afford. Firstly, supermarkets are laid out to make a person pass as many counters as possible. It is nearly impossible to igonore the attractively packed goods and not to collect them from the shelves. Secondly, more and more supermarkets supply customers with trolleys instead of wire baskets: their bigger volume requires more purchases. And, finally, supermarkets don't forget about those who look for bargains. The so-called “bargain bins" filled with special offers wait for their victims. No one can tell for sure if the prices are really reduced, but it is so nice to boast later that you have a very good eye for a bargain.

So when a simple-hearted customer approaches a check-out, his or her trolley is piled high. Looking at a cashier, he or she starts getting nervous while the cash register is adding up the prices. And, getting a receipt, he or she gives a sigh of relief if the indicated sum does not exceed the cash he or she has.

Of course, one can give a piece of advice to the simple-hearted: compile a shopping list and buy only pre-planned goods. But is it worth losing that great sensation of buying? One can really wonder.

The Department Store

Shopping is a very important part of life. Our interest in clothes goes far beyond their use as a shelter. We express ourselves in the styles and colours we pick and the combination of clothes we put together. But shoppers today face a confusing and rapidly changing situation. So it's vital that you do not waste your money and that you shop around for the best price and quality. Start with a department store, where they stock a wide range of goods and souvenirs. There you can find many departments: haberdashery, hosiery, drapery, millinery, ladieswear, menswear, and footwear. If you are looking for a skirt and a top to go with it, you'll need "Separates". You'll find shorts or T-shirts in "Leisurewear" and jumpers in "Knitwear". In "Accessories" they sell belts, gloves, and purses. Try on all the trousers or dresses they hive in the line although it may be quite boring to wait if the changing room is occupied. Check out the racks with the sign "sale". Although it usually seems to be the small sizes that are offered in sales you can sometimes find some super buys.

Feeling cheered up by your new purchase, don't forget to keep the receipt, in case an item turns out to be faulty. You'll need the receipt if you want to exchange the item or have your money refunded.

If you are a bargain-hunter, try clothes markets. They often don't have the high overheads of town shops and can therefore keep prices lower, though they can stock substandard goods. Flea markets are not the best place to buy anything. The prices are low, but the quality is, too.

Don't put off the purchase of festive gifts until there are only two days left before a holiday. Department stores are swarming with last-minute shoppers, so you may have to queue for half an hour at the checkout till. From everywhere you can hear people swapping rumours, ‘They have sold out all the scarves', 'They have run out of that cream'. You inevitably get involved in exchanging remarks with other people in the queue or with salesgirls. Sometimes the talk gets so interesting that the cashier's question whether you want to pay in cash or by credit card takes you by surprise.