SHOPPING

Shopping is an activity that is enjoyed by many people. There
are also people who hate shopping and say that it is waste of
time. But wheather the people like shopping or not they have to
go to a shop, more or less frequently, to buy what they need
because shopping is a necessity.
There are many kinds of shops ranging from large department
stores, self - service shops and supermarkets to small
specialized shop such as the grocer's, baker's, butcher's,
greengrocer's, chemist's, bookshop and botique. Wherever the
customers enter they are welcomed by shop assistants who are
ready to help them: What can I do for you ? Can I help you ? What
will you have ? What can I show you ? These are the most frequent
questions heard in shop since morning till late evening.
Nowadays more and more customers prefer shopping in large
department stores with self service, where everything can be
found under one roof, to shopping in small specialized shops.
At the grocer's people can buy foodstuff including flour,
sugar, salt, eggs, vegetable oil, stewed fruit, various kinds of
tea and coffe, bottled beer and juice, sweets, chocolate, frozen
and tinned vegetables and fruit. There are also dairy products
such as milk, butter, cream, cheese and yogurt.
At the baker's various kinds of fresh bread, rolls, buns and
cakes can be bought.
The butcher sells meat uncluding pork, beef, lamb or poultry.
Here we can buy smoked meat products such as ham, bacon, sausages
and frankfurters. At the butcher's people can also buy tinned and
frozen meat and fish.
The people, wko like to do gardening and some do-it-yourself
work around the house, frequently need some hardware. They can go
to the ironmonger's to buy hammer, pliers, nails and other tools
and materials.
At the stationer's writing paper, wrapping paper, envelopes,
notebooks, pens, pencils, rubber, ruler are kept. All the things
needed by school children can be bought here.
Fresh vegetables and all kinds of fruit can be bought at the
greengrocer's and fruiterer's. Many people prefer shopping at the
market where there is a wider choice of potatoes, cabbages,
beans, carrots, tomatoes, apples, pears, oranges or bananas.
The chemist's is a specialized shop where people can buy
medicines. In Britain the chemist also keeps cosmetics and toilet
supplies such as make-ups, shaving-cream, shampoo, soap and
tooth-brushes.
Boutiques sell the latest fashion. Here especially the young
people have a wide choice of dresses, shirts, skirts, blouses,
pullovers and jeans. Some of the boutiques also offer leather
goods such as jackets, shoes, bags . . .
Many people like to go shopping to department stores. The
department stores are large buildings usually several storeys
high. They have many departments which offer their customers all
kinds of foodstuff, clothers, shoes, toys, sporting goods, books,
stationary and furniture, all under one roof. Nearly all the big
deparment stores have cafes, snack bars or restaurants where the


people can relax when they are tired of shopping. The big
department stores started in America and the idea was brought to
England by Cordon Selfridge some 80 years ago.
The currency in Great Britain is called penny and pounds, in
America dollar and cent and in our country Slovak crown. Money
can be devided into paper and small change.
One dollar (1 $) is called green back. There is Pyramid and old
seeing eye and "In Got We Trust".
People can pay with credit card, which is plastic, with checks
or in a cash.