Two for the price of one, half price, three for the price of two,buyonegetonefree money off special deals coupons points rewards offers. How can I possibly work out the price of anything? Today only, ends this week, while stocks last, final reductions, offer ends Sunday, end of line, clearance - the pressure!
There's low fat, fat free, cholesterol reducing, lite, decaffinated, high fibre, GM free, sugar free, salt free, wheat free, low GI, and milk? - skimmed, semi-skimmed full fat, half fat, 2% fat, soya milk, goat's milk, buttermilk, and then there is Fair Trade, 2% to breast cancer research, 1p in the pound to the Woodland Trust....how do I choose?
And aisles and miles of what Michael Pollan calls 'edible food-like substances'.
The musak, God the musak.
And it's not over yet! There's all the sweets at the checkout to negotiate, the plastic bag question, discount vouchers, money off coupons, cashback, signatures, pin numbers, receipts, top up cards, lottery tickets, active kids vouchers....
Just when you think it is over there's usually some kind soul asking you to sign a petition for something, or donate for research into bowel cancer. The irony is not lost on me.
Happy Easter!