A Geek's Life

Seeing as we are as far removed from a proper Nigerian enclave as could be, we have to go to Woking every so often for our big Nigerian shop. This weekend, L and I had the pleasure of popping into town for the big shop. In the hour and a bit we spent there, we were sucked into no less than three different conversations.

As early as the lift, a grand mother piped up to ask if she was enjoying her summer holidays. L being the famously outgoing kid proceeded to nod vigorously in the affirmative and announce she had been to America for a wedding. It turned out lift GrandMa had two grand children visiting. In the fleeting conversation over three floors, we managed to bond over the paucity of things to do for kids: Quite expensive we agreed, as the lift having taken its time to arrive finally reached the ground floor.

The second conversation was in the aisle of the Sainsbury’s next door. We had gone past the biscuits aisle when L drew my attention to a stack of stuff I had intentionally avoided making eye contact with. Pleaseeeee Daddy, was her plea, which drew yet another GrandMa to her rescue. Oh Dad! Let her have it, she said, it’s summer, calories hit less and the associated sugar rush is less of a hassle to manage. She then proceeded to grab the offending item off the shelf herself and placed it in our basket. Guilt tripped into agreeing, I moved on swiftly, cursing over zealous grand ma’s under by breath.

The third conversation is one we have every time we do the big shop. The proprietress is now a friend of the family of sorts, and so we swap stories of life whilst I pick up whatever items have been sent through on the list I have been given. This time, it was a conversation around summer holidays and being child-free. For better or for worse, child-free is a concept alien to me, and will remain so for at least another sixteen to twenty years.

In summary then, I am learning that nothing opens up a conversation more than a Dad and (young) daughter walking about town. Now if only there was a way to monetise that!