Shopping mall
With no other pressure pressing itself I sit unassuming and taking notice of the coming and goings of those determined to shop, either for pleasure or food — which of cause could be either or both to some. Many stride in with an arrogant stare heading with not a care for others — determined to perform the tasks allotted to them: others wonder in with no direction in mind, taking no direction in particular ... yet still pass me without noticing my study of them, especially the young girls (of cause any age now will be younger than me), as the weather is warm today, it has brought out the skimpy shorts and short tops ... exposing many a belle button (I have no objection to that). Also I like the small cotton dresses, following this way and that as they stride passed — cells phone in one hand, maybe a bag in the other or an item purchased; and once at home opened at put to use. Of cause there are boys with skateboards being carried, for they are forbidden within the shopping complex. From where I'm sitting I can see into the supermarket, apples are on special. My concentration is interrupted by an elderly chap (by the looks of him he should be in his grave) he is returning seven shopping trollies from the car park (I'm assuming). In days gone by I will have seen a lot more woman and daughters ... then fathers and sons shopping; today it seems to be a pass time for both sexes. Over the shops intercom; 'Would John Taylor please got to the delicatessens counter'. Let's see if I can establish who John Taylor is; sadly I can't.
From where I am sitting there are two ATM machines, one ANZ the other BNZ. Both in use. The annoying sliding door has no rhythm to its operation — either halfway opened or halfway shut. There are umpteen sounds in a building like this, and trying to determine what they are and where they are coming from, can be more rewarding than doing a crossword puzzle .... an easy one is the swoosh of the modern coffee machine, and the drone of an air conditioner, another is the hand dryer from the loo just a door to the left of me (I sure some people come here just to use the toilet). The ice cream shop is doing a thriving trade, there is always someone purchasing an ice cream; the prices range from $3.50 for a small plan vanilla, 50 cents more for a coating of nuts. The double decker, with two types of ice cream and nuts costs $6.00. I notice the larger persons order these, those watching their weight walk pass.(I bought a $3.00 ice cream, last week, because that was all the change I had (not wanting to part with the ten dollar note)). The Two dollar shop always has people in it, although when I've looked around, nothing much there you can buy for two dollars anymore. The book shop has a table out front with a sign - 3 books for $6.50 — and last years calendars — 50% off. The Christmas tree shop is open and there is a chair in the corner for Santa claws to sit when in residence (not here today thought, could be at lunch), maybe that's him in the coffee kiosk behind that large palm.
As mentioned earlier, how exciting the young girls look (dressed in next to nothing) that cannot be said for some others (men manly) sandals, baggie shorts, shirts either half tucked in or half tucked out — those guys with their trouser almost down around their knees; what's that all about (looks absurd), thank God I'm to old for that trend.
Of cause there is another two groups of people.
(1) Parents: parents can be spotted from some distance (even if there are no children in tow) they have a look of down trod-in-ness ...(not sure that is a real word) however I'm using it here to describe (taken from a dictionary). Quote. "To yield (oneself) without restraint or moderation; give (oneself) over to natural impulses, usually without self-control: to abandon (oneself0 to grief and dissolute away of living - especially excessive drinking of liquor.” unquote.
(2) Small children: (not because they are short, because they're young), they are called — babies — those still reliant on another (babies make old people look older), old people like babies because (we) can pull faces at them and they laugh and smile and this makes us feel wanted; but must be careful not to look to interested in the mother, if she is a hottie and her man (parter, husband) is close by; you never know these days, he (or she) come over and knock your block off — best is to take a quick glance as she walks passed, staring all the time at their backside and legs (assuming) they are both proving a thirst of sexual gratification (now that's a word I don't use a to often).
For those among us without need to watch time or be somewhere or with someone now or in any particular moment, can sit and observe those that do, and wonder back (in memory) to the time when we did have more of a purpose to be somewhere at this particular moment in time.
So I give up this operation of observations before I'm moved on by a security guard for obstruction and before complaints are level at me for being a dirty old man (perving) it doesn't cost much to perv — $4.50 for a cup of coffee covers it.