Our move to a small town in the Free State, from bright city lights, was not without fundamental adjustments in all spheres.
Obviously, the unavailability of household and personal items was a problem initially, as one is used to having a large number of stores in a particular shopping centre or mall.
Should one not be able to get the item one requires there – there are a multitude of other shopping centres or malls in the immediate vicinity, the only constraint is how far one wishes to travel to buy said item.
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Now coming from this Pandora’s box which had everything to buy that one can imagine, the town’s most influential commercial enterprises consisted of three supermarkets (two being owned by the same person), a farmers’ cooperative, a petrol station, two butcheries, a hardware store, two of the obligatory liquor stores, a hair salon and (each town needs one) an undertaker.
Fortunately, help was within a half hour drive as although the shop owners do their best to keep up with their customers’ whims, it is difficult to cover all bases.
As I mentioned previously, not being able to find a plain yoghurt amongst the bounty of flavours in the fridge.
Not being able to buy particular items of clothing like underwear. It may not sound as if it is a major issue in one’s life, but the expectations are high that the simple things in life are out there. Wrong! Welcome to small town living.
So one adjusts – or plan to go down the road to Newcastle.
What an amazing big small town, and we did not even see it in its heyday, when the fully productive steel works was pumping out the pig iron ingots, I-bar and flat sheet – plus other steel products.
However, the spirit of the people is wonderful and the shop staff cannot help you enough, to buy in their shop or be referred to a competitor because what they have is not what you want. Miss the place.
Then we came to the South Coast and found that the attitude of the staff in the shops totally beyond expectation and wonderful. No effort is spared to make sure one is served and assisted to the satisfaction of you, the customer.
Hibberdene, although it has quite a small commercial centre is our nearest town of consequence, as the village of Mtwalume is really only geared for the holidaymakers.
Scottburgh is a pleasure as well, plus a hugely improved variety of goods are on the shelves. I put the congenial attitude of the shops’ staff down on this wonderful South Coast is because of the tide of holidaymakers and tourists that sweep down here with money in their pockets and purses.
So, obviously, the more endearing one is to the visitor, the better chance of a sale. Personal interaction is a most important part of day-to-day living, as we live and act out our day based on this concept. A proverb states “A man who cannot smile, should not work in a shop”. Quod erat demonstrandum.
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