Fish and Chips

Yesterday we decided to have fish and chips at the fish shop in a well known Mall in Cairns.  If you can picture a very open fish shop that has fresh fish and shell fish behind the glass counters and the situation is on a corner inside the Mall.

I waited for my turn and asked the older female assistant for Spanish Mackerel and chips as displayed on the signage behind the counter.  The alternative was Barramundi and chips.  The prices were clearly marked.  She told me that I'd have to order that round the corner.  So I duly walked round the corner, noticed the signage behind the counter that was identical in offering and price to the one on the first side.  She followed me to the around the corner counter which adjoined the one I had already ordered at.  I said I'd only ordered from the sign behind her and she commented that was "Sunday's offering".  And also "what would you like to order".  "This", she said " is today's offering" (today being Saturday).  I couldn't keep a straight face and placed the same order.  She didn't flinch.  She would have done if I hadn't restrained my already cyclone stressed self.

I think she should make friends with the woman at the truck stop in Murrurundi who admonishes anyone who asks for a "flat white coffee" with the retort that she has checked on the internet and it is actually "white coffee you want".  Be aware that "flat white" is an Australian phenomena but as she is in Australia and serving Australian truckies, surely it would be only polite to go along with the majority.

On top of this treatment of customers as though they are an inconvenience, I would like to add that I am tired of large retailers who stock their shelves during the day.  At one time this was done at night after closing.  It provided many people with part time jobs that were convenient for them when a partner was home to look after the children etc etc.  Now we have to try and navigate with trollies past massive yellow stepladders, pallets in the way and staff that are by and large, oblivious to the struggling shoppers.  What are the shops for?  To provide service to the customers or work for the employees.  How about both and we work out who should do what and when.  BigW please take note.