Modern lifestyle has turned us into highly dependent beings resulting in the loss of our forefathers’ know-how. At the time, these skills were considered general knowledge and included building a fire or shelter, cooking from scratch, and walking in single file when required.
One could argue that the need for these skills is no longer needed. That they have been replaced with other more essential skillsets such as driving cars, earning an income, and not getting a drunk when you must go to work the next day. In some of these areas, I must agree. It is highly evident at the shopping centre that skills such as single file walking and wearing clothes over your underwear are severely lacking in many people.
Suppose shopping centres enforced patrons to abide by rules like that for traffic. In that case, they could quite possibly offer a peaceful and enjoyable shopping experience, reducing the number of aggressive customers and ensuring everyone gets to where they need to go. Could you imagine what it would be like to walk down the aisles of Morayfield or North Lakes shopping centre without being forced to dodge anyone?
Recently, when my husband and I were walking on the ‘shop’ side of the aisle with our trolley, three young women were walking abreast towards us. I automatically moved behind my husband to create a single file to avoid a collision. They made it clear that they would not be moving. We had nowhere else to go, and eventually, both parties came to a halt. Standing in front of the trolley, one of the young women looked at my husband in the eye and taunted aloud: ‘excuse me?’ Shoppers appear to have lost the art of seeing that they are about to run into someone along with the ability to move over so both can pass. It is rude and offensive, but this unnecessary and inconsiderate behaviour from people of all ages hinders the joy of shopping.
I was tempted to dress up in an inflatable bubble during the COVID-19 1.5m social distancing requirements to see how far I could get around a shopping centre without hitting someone. Perhaps even filming what the reaction would be from, what I now call ‘groupers’ that won’t move out of your way. It is called ‘single file’ people – Google it! I’m not saying we should always walk in single file but when there’s no room to pass oncoming shoppers, make room!
The art of hiding one’s undergarments under one’s clothes is also sadly melting away. Ladies, you may call it gym gear, or swimmers, or fashion. You may indeed have a smoking hot body. But ask yourself: How many men (of various shapes and sizes) do you see in roaming the shops with their budgie smugglers or short gym shorts uncovered? Or with their thong or G-String showing? Would you please learn to dress yourselves appropriately for the activity you are doing? I am a strong advocate for the women in this world, and it saddens me deeply that this time around, I must say ‘learn from the men’!
Among these skills which I feel we have lost, I must include: memorising phone numbers, knowing someone’s address, reading a map, using a real camera, fact-checking, holding a conversation, walking without distraction and hand-writing letters or personal notes (I say as I type this article for my editor). Hmmmmm….