WASTEFUL BASTARDS AND THE CULT OF BOGOF

As I write this post, we in the UK are in the middle of a 4-day Easter holiday. The weather has become very un-British as we have had 6 days without rain! However, that has nothing to do with what I wish to say…

Before the holiday started, I did my usual shopping knowing that I needed supplies (beer for example) to last me through the 4 days. I always enjoy the chance to psycho-analyse my fellow shoppers and this was a good opportunity to do so. I can say in all honesty that I am amazed, stunned (and quite angry) at the amount of food people buy. A good example was the family in front of me at the check-out. Mother, father and two children (between 8 and 10 years old) were buying like they would never shop again – two huge baskets of food from bread to salad stuff to several bottles of wine, meat and a whole range of fruit and vegetables, fresh and frozen. I overheard how much this orgy of food was costing them – and I froze; over $200! For 4 people for 4 days?

 Now it could be argued that the “needed” that amount – I have no way of knowing. But what I DO know is that I could guarantee that a lot of it would be thrown away! Latest statistics show that in the UK people, on average, throw away 15 tonnes of food every day. This is not a joke but reality. Can you imagine what 15 tonnes of food looks like? Can you imagine how many people on small incomes could live on that? And for me it’s not just the quantity but also the quality of food that is thrown out; fruit may look as if it can no longer be eaten (perhaps it has a bruise or blemish on the outside) but is perfectly fit to eat. But to the majority, every item must be perfect.

But, is the consumer really to blame? Well, they should shoulder most of the blame, but in my opinion the supermarkets share an equal amount of blame, through their efforts to encourage spending through bogof.

To explain, bogof means “buy one, get one free” and I believe is the largest single cause of stuff that is thrown away – it has become a cult, and I dislike cults in every shape and form.

So, we have become a nation of wasteful bastards following an imposed cult…

I guess it’s far too late to go back to a simpler lifestyle!

Until next time (and finding something else to complain about),

Peripatetic Scribe