Enter the shop doors, turn towards the seating area and five ladies look up with eager anticipation.
One name is announced and four concede graciously with a measured expression of acceptance to their disappointment…
“Oh well, I’m sure our taxis will be along presently”… is a typical chorus.
The “winner” rises, and I gather the shopping bags into one hand. A turn offers the empty arm towards the lady, she reaches and takes hold…
Then the departing, somewhat slo-mo shuffle dance begins.
The professional skill set is to match the natural rhythm of their shuffle. Success allows the pair of us to make a cool exit from the shop.
The established practice in a rare few of the city shops is for the elderly to have a private hire taxi ordered for them at the reception point, then relax and wait on the sheltered seats, inside the main doors. At rest… in the warm… in the dry… in a safe place.
When the car arrives, the process is as described above. It works great, but there is an aspect of legality that is overlooked for this to work as well as it does.
The areas outside are technically ‘no loading/parking at any time’ zones and although pickups are frequent, there was an occasion, where I experienced this beneficial practice being poked at.
Overall, the traffic wardens do a great job around the city. I realise a commonplace perception is “the enemy”, but in fairness, we are often “perching”, dropping and picking up in odd places and the attitude has been very respectful… Also, if they weren’t around, then, it would not be long before traffic chaos and wo reigned…
That said… this one was a dick-head…..
Excerpt ends
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