Sometimes it is little changes with potentially greater effects or repercussions, sometimes it is big changes with immediate big repercussions.
Have you noticed for instance something called shrink-flation? We have it over here. It's the same packaging on food, or other products, but what's inside is less. Instead of 500 grams which is what you used to buy it is now 450 grams and the price has gone up by a few pence. Same with liquids, instead of 1 litre it is now 900 ml, (most people don't know what ml is anyway and they think they are buying 900 miles of drink).
The customer does not realise that the price he is paying has increased twice - first a few pence more in the price of the goods, and then he gets a little less in the content of the packaging.
Another change I noticed is in attitudes. People seem to be angry all the time. No more politeness and courtesy. Drivers get quickly irritated with each other. When I'm driving and I stop at a crossing to let pedestrians get to the other side, the pedestrians just walk past without a thank you or a wave. I know that as a driver I should stop; but a wave or a smile from pedestrians costs nothing. It's the same when I hold a door open for someone. At the supermarket recently I held the door open for six people who filed through like cattle totally ignoring me.
And another thing, I was at a church wedding the other day. Whilst waiting for the service to start I noticed at least three people looking at their cell-phones. What is it with people always wanting to check the cell-phones? Even in church? The WiFi reception was no good anyway because I could not get the football scores. The groom had asked me to let him know how his team did in the League Finals.
I also noticed that when they said their vows the bride did not use the word "obey" any more. It's a pity. Because it used to lend a bit of humour to the occasion.
Which reminds me, I wonder if any policeman has ever managed to keep a straight face while telling a woman she has the right to remain silent. But that's another story.
Anyway, at this wedding the priest went on about marriage being for ever and ever and he made it sound like a life sentence. Also, en-passant he mentioned that we are dust and from dust we will return to dust. I don't know how relevant that is to a wedding ceremony. Anyway, just to make sure I now don't dust any more. It could be someone I know in the vacuum cleaner.
I also met my cousin Bernie at the wedding. His wife has just had twin girls. They called one Kate and the other Duplikate.
Bernie always pretends he knows more than he really does. He always acts all intellectual and talks about Mozart when I know for sure he has never seen any of his paintings.
Anyway, I was saying that times are really changing. And they are. When we got back from the wedding we saw a beggar just by our door asking for money. We've never had beggars in our neighbourhood before. My wife gave him some of her cakes and cookies which she had prepared earlier. A few days later he called back and gave her a book on how to cook.
...Kate and Duplikate, that's clever.
ReplyDeleteThey're carbon copies of previous twins they had. He told me the hospital has a special offer of get one and get one free every time his wife's pregnant.
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
Funny fellow! In all seriousness ... like you, I become unreasonably annoyed when another pedestrian (or motorist) doesn't acknowledge a courtesy. Unfortunately, I lack the courage to exclaim, "You're welcome!".
ReplyDeleteI noticed over here people are also becoming selfish and unaware of others. Example: in the supermarket they stand in the aisle chatting with their trolleys blocking the way. They see me coming but they don't move on to make way. I have to ask. I find it difficult being polite when I'm boiling inside. Any ideas what to do?
DeleteGod bless, Mevely.
If they were twin boys, would they have named the Pete and Repete? Thanks for the laughs today, Victor. God bless!
ReplyDeleteOh you're brilliant, Martha. We should team up to write jokes. I sometimes have nothing to contribute to my humour posts.
DeleteGod bless always my friend.
This piece captures the quirky, sometimes frustrating shifts in everyday life with a warm, humorous tone. I love how you highlight “shrinkflation” — such a sneaky change many don’t notice but definitely feel in their wallets.
ReplyDeleteThe observations about growing impatience and lost courtesies really resonate; small gestures like smiles or thank-yous matter more than ever. Your wedding anecdotes add a charming mix of wit and reflection on traditions evolving. And ending with the story of kindness to the beggar is a sweet reminder that some human warmth still remains amidst all the change.
Hi Asep. Nice to see you visiting here. Thank you.
DeleteGod bless.
Skrinkflation is hard to notice if you're buying ice cream. I bought a candy bar recently and was shocked how small it was. A little here and there and you'll be down to bite size candy and a spoonful of ice cream.
ReplyDeleteSo true about candy bars, Bill. Over here, they have small sized bars and they call them "Fun Size". What is that? Fun is not a unit of measurement. It was not taught at my school. It's their marketing way of make you think you're buying something "fun", when all along they are selling a smaller size for a bigger price.
DeleteGod bless you, Bill.
Skrinkflation is here too. I have been noticing it for a while.
ReplyDeleteFrom now on I shall try to be less kind to people and call it shrinkflation. That way they will truly appreciate me when I'm kind. Life is getting difficult with all this new-speak. Why can't they be honest and tell you it just costs more to make the same product. Another annoying thing is when they say on the package, "New Improved Recipe". What does that mean/ Where they selling me a sub-standard product up to now? No wonder that tinned soup tasted like engine oil!
DeleteGod bless you, Sandie. keep smiling.
I don't mind shrinkflation as much as skimpflation, where the product looks the same but the quality has gone downhill. And often the price has still gone up.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is happening over here too. They actually change the ingredients of the product. What is life coming to?
DeleteGod bless, CM.
Yes, the packaging is shrinking here too!!!
ReplyDeleteI did notice that. The other day I bought a new pair of trousers same size as I always do. But these ones do not fit. They're too tight. It's says the same size as the ones I bought two years ago. How can trousers the same size but they don't fit over a two years period?
DeleteGod bless, K.
It's funny, things change but there's nothing new under the sun.
ReplyDeleteSad but true, Mimi. God bless always.
DeleteGreetings Victor: Sadly the times are a changing, sometimes not for the good. I do miss the simpler times, like when you had to get to the store to get anything you needed for Sunday dinner or gas for the vehicle before five P.M. Its a shame that there are so many that have to mow their lawns on Sunday and break the peace and quiet, yes I long for the simpler times.
ReplyDeleteCouples getting married in this day and age sometimes do not take their Vows seriously. I hope you are having a great week.
Catherine
Yes, I agree Catherine - oh for the simpler times. And you're so right about couples not taking their marriage vows seriously.
DeleteWishing you a wonderful week my friend. God bless you and your family.
Querido Víctor, note todo esos cambios que nos dejas, antes una mujer embarazada subía a un colectivo y los caballeros se paraban para darle el asiento, hoy cierran los ojos y se hacen los dormidos.
ReplyDeleteNo me fije en las bebidas pero los paquetes de galletitas son mas caros pero el envase se hizo mas pequeño.
Te cuento, a la vuelta de mi casa hay un supermercado, voy hacer las compras y una mujer me para y me dice, señora no me daría algo de dinero para comprar leche para mis dos hijos, como ese super me conocen, le dije a la señora... acompáñame que te compro leche y galletitas para los niños y me acompaño, le compré y salió con su bolsa, yo me quede haciendo las compras, cuando voy a la caja a pagar me dice la cajera, Liz esa señora que se llevo las leches y las galletitas volvió y me dijo que no quería esa mercadería y si le podía dar el dinero que yo había gastado en eso, la cajera le dijo que no, que tenia que ir yo hacer el cambio porque era la que había pagado y la señora salió y rompió las leches y la derramo en la entrada del super y lo mismo hizo con las galletitas.
Me quede mal , me trague el cuento.
Pero si puedo ayudar lo sigo haciendo.
Víctor, leí el comentario de los pantalones que eran mas chicos, no será que en dos años aumentaste unos kilos jajajaja.
Un poquito de humor hace el día mas llevadero.
Querido Víctor, paso a desearte una feliz semana, con mucho amor, sé feliz. Que Dios te colme de bendiciones.
♥️Abrazos y te dejo besitos♥️
*♥♫♥**♥♫♥**♥♫♥*--*♥♫♥**♥*
TRANSLATION:
DeleteDear Victor, I've noticed all the changes you've left us.
Before, a pregnant woman would get on a bus and the gentlemen would stop to give her their seats. Today, they close their eyes and pretend to be asleep.
I didn't notice the drinks, but the packs of cookies are more expensive, but the packaging has gotten smaller.
I'll tell you, around the corner from my house, there's a supermarket. I'm going grocery shopping, and a woman stops me and says, "Ma'am, wouldn't you give me some money to buy milk for my two kids? They know me since they're in that supermarket." I told the woman... "Come with me, I'll buy you some milk and cookies for the kids." She came with me. I bought them, and she left with her bag. I stayed behind doing the shopping. When I go to the checkout to pay, the cashier says, "Liz, that woman who took the milk and cookies," she comes back and tells me she doesn't want that merchandise, and if I can give her the money I'd spent on it. The cashier says no, that I have to make the change because she was the one who paid for it. The woman comes out and breaks the milk and spills it at the entrance of the supermarket, and she does the same with the cookies.
I'm upset, I swallowed the story.
But if I can help, I'll keep doing it.
Victor, I read the comment about the pants being too small. It's not like you gained a few pounds in two years, hahaha.
A little humor makes the day more bearable.
Dear Victor, I'm stopping by to wish you a happy week, with lots of love. Be happy. May God shower you with blessings.
♥️Hugs and kisses♥️
Thank you so much Liz for taking the time to comment on my Blog. I agree about what you say on giving up a seat on the bus or train to a woman. These days, some women resent this, which makes it even more difficult for everyone.
So sad about the story of the milk and cookies. I have given food to poor people sitting outside our supermarket. I never thought they would go back to change it for money. Please forgive that woman, Liz, and pray for her.
Because the trousers were too small my wife now tells me to go on a diet. No more cookies or chocolates for three days!
God bless you Liz. Thank you. Best wishes.
I have certainly noticed a lot of shrink-flation, and of course for the same price!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Yes, it hides the true inflation in the cost of living.
DeleteGod bless, Jan.