I know what hells look like now, believe me! It all started at Virgin Megastore where I wanted to buy 2 DVDs and where the place was so packed that I had to leave after 5 minutes. I then tried La Fnac (a "cultural" goods chain store) where I had a living picture of what the expression "mass consumption" means... There, even though I wanted to buy something I gave up when I saw the endless lines in the check out lanes! The bottom line is that I have to go back tomorrow early in the morning ;(( Next year I buy everything - I'm talking everything! - on line.
Bon courage pour la poursuite de tes achats.
ReplyDeleteWhy not just give PDP calendars?
ReplyDeleteI agree! Going to the stores at the last moment *is* hell! 2 words for you : online shopping! ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays to you, Eric, to your friends and family, and to your readers. Peace, everybody.
Me I was lucky to be able to avoid the crowds this year, but when I did have to go out yesterday in the Metro, the people were crazier than usual. There was a group of teenage girls listening to rap music (music is generally not tolerated in the Metro), a homeless man re-writing a page of text - kind of like a test - all spread out on the seats, and another guy listening to some acid rock with only one headphone over his ear, the other exposed so that we fellow travelers could "enjoy" his music. People were loaded down with bags and pushier than normal. I think online shopping could be the way to go Eric, I agree.
ReplyDeleteBy the way everybody, it's probably a good thing to get your shopping done as I hear that Santa Clause's staff are on strike. Something about a dispute with their contracts.
ReplyDeleteThe chief elf negotiator said in a press statement early today from their North Pole headquarters, "We are sick and tired of Santa's helpers being treated like subordinate clauses."
*groan*
LOL Michael! More seriously Air France is on strike at the moment (20% of domestic flights have been canceled yesterday I heard).
ReplyDeleteJust popping by to wish you a very Merry Christmas, Eric and all the best in 2008.
ReplyDelete(Your calendars arrived the other day...very nice! I really love the photos. You did a nice job)
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
We celebrated Christmas yesterday with my sister and her family since they are going out of town. It forced me to have my shopping done fairly early, and for that I am grateful. Sometimes I need that extra motivation--I hate crowds!
ReplyDeleteI gave myself a half hour on Las Olas Blvd. to get what little shopping I am doing, done--yesterday. It was heaven! Sorry for your shopping hell. Merry Christmas from the beach!
ReplyDeleteI read a surprising statistic yesterday. Despite what we cybernauts and bloggers think is the wild popularity of online shopping, in USA it still accounts for only 1% of total retail business.
ReplyDeleteStrikes in France? Shocking!
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to imagine people "pushier than usual" in the subway, but I suppose anything is possible... perhaps it is, too, possible to turn up the heat in hell.
Well, good luck making it through the season and take it easy everybody.
By the way, that "paris metro" magnet would make a killer print! I can just see it and I have just the frame for it, too ;)
Expat, really? Only 1%?!! I'm shocked! Wow. I only buy size-specific stuff in person, these days, and the occasional thing I need right away, although I do order clothes from Land's End, as well. Wow, I'm surprised by that low percentage.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same here Eric, the shops are so croweded I usually give up.
ReplyDeleteOnly to go back again the next day... it's hard to get rid of all the Xmas shopping thing!
Michael LOL! I wouldn't be surpise if there was a real strike of Santa Clause in France!!!
We left Paris yesterday and thanks to whoever was on strike some time back, we rode from Gare du Nord to Antony "gratuit"!! C'est bon!!
ReplyDeleteI ventured into Galleries Lafayette on Friday afternoon, and promptly retreated; too congested and far too hot inside! Sidewalk was no better, so really retreated back to the Metro and back to our apartment!
Joyeaux Noelle and Bonne Annee Eric.
I'm with you Eric, I tried to stop at the grocery store this morning, but it was packed, so I gave up! And the mall, forget it!
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I don't go near the malls at Christmas.
ReplyDelete(or any other time of the year, to be honest).
just buy all gifts by the end of november...making sure you get it on time (if bought in december) is almost enough to give you a heart attack
ReplyDelete