Shops in Ommen are allowed to open their doors to the public on Sunday, August 9th. This may sound a bit strange to people living in Canada or closer to home the UK. They are used to be able to go to the shops whenever they like, to get whatever they want. 
Although, in the UK you can put a bottle of wine in your basket in Tesco's in the middle of the night, but you have to wait til 8 am to be able to pay for it at the till. A strange rule now I come to think of it. Of course you can build a party in the supermarket. Very handy when you are running the risk of running out of booze. And at 8 am you stagger to the till, pay for as many bottles as you have managed to empty and go home. I do agree that the lighting plan does not help to create an intimate atmosphere in a supermarket, but believe you me that seems to matter less and less as the night proceeds.
Although, in the UK you can put a bottle of wine in your basket in Tesco's in the middle of the night, but you have to wait til 8 am to be able to pay for it at the till. A strange rule now I come to think of it. Of course you can build a party in the supermarket. Very handy when you are running the risk of running out of booze. And at 8 am you stagger to the till, pay for as many bottles as you have managed to empty and go home. I do agree that the lighting plan does not help to create an intimate atmosphere in a supermarket, but believe you me that seems to matter less and less as the night proceeds.
The observation that things are different in Ommen is not that strange. Considering that Ommen is part of 
the so called 'bible belt' of the Netherlands. And it is not the only town that has funny rules when it comes to 'what is and what is not allowed on a Sunday'. Obviously, for would it have been the only town then there would not have been a 'bible belt', but a 'bible button'. Still, one would have thought that in this day and age it would be quite common to have a 24 hour economy. Or at least leave it up to the shop owner whether or not to open his doors.
the so called 'bible belt' of the Netherlands. And it is not the only town that has funny rules when it comes to 'what is and what is not allowed on a Sunday'. Obviously, for would it have been the only town then there would not have been a 'bible belt', but a 'bible button'. Still, one would have thought that in this day and age it would be quite common to have a 24 hour economy. Or at least leave it up to the shop owner whether or not to open his doors.
I would welcome the possibility to go shopping in the evening. At least all the screaming kids, raising them properly does not happen anymore I have noticed, will be in 
bed. What a relief that would be. The streets are not stuffed with cars too, making it a piece of cake to get to and from the supermarket. And when you get there, to find an empty parking spot will not take forever. Parking areas would be safe again as well without women driving to the supermarket in their husbands cars, normally a lot bigger than what they are used to, and crashing into almost every obstacle on their way. I may be exaggerating a bit here but you will not find me in a parking area close to the shops during office hours. Nope, way too dangerous.
bed. What a relief that would be. The streets are not stuffed with cars too, making it a piece of cake to get to and from the supermarket. And when you get there, to find an empty parking spot will not take forever. Parking areas would be safe again as well without women driving to the supermarket in their husbands cars, normally a lot bigger than what they are used to, and crashing into almost every obstacle on their way. I may be exaggerating a bit here but you will not find me in a parking area close to the shops during office hours. Nope, way too dangerous.
So what could Ommen do, to not be left behind in our modern society? Well, when creating a haven of rest in an otherwise tumultuous week is what Ommen aims for, maybe the Amish set a good example. Go about your business using horse and carriage. It will not only slow yourself down but all the other people on the road as well. Due to the slow down of society thus caused, shops have no other choice then to stay open all week, to serve their customers. 8 hours a day for 6 days would no longer suffice.
It would allow me to go to the shops during the quiet hours of
the night, provided that I would refrain from alcoholic beverages...
No comments:
Post a Comment