Minimum shops game

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 16:57

Imagine you could only ever go to a certain number of shops and that was it - you'd pick the shops very carefully!

Try and come up with the minimum number of shops you could live from forever. I'm not sure if you can do it with less than 3 - my entry (for example) would be :

1. John Lewis (top of Leith Walk)
2. Asda/WalMart (Jewel)
3. B&Q (nr. Kinnaird Park)

When you come up with your list, picture an average family (1+ adults, 1+ children) who must go through their whole lives only ever buying stuff from the shops on the list.

It has to be a real shop, not one of these newfangled internet "shops".

Can it be done in less than 3?

What will Bob do if he insists on Findlay's, Williamson's and Kitchener's ?

There's no point to any of this, I was just wondering what these super-shops don't sell, and apart from holidays there's not much left you can't get from my list. Maybe not.

Anyway, have a go.

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 04 Feb 2007, 17:34

Interesting idea Mr D. Using your shops I reckon It would be possible to live reasonably well with just Asda and B&Q. You can buy food, drink, clothing, furniture, DIY stuff and and every household item imaginable and you can even buy petrol at Asda if you intend keeping the same car for ever. Both these shops have customer notice boards where folk can advertise stuff they don't want so, if you bought something from the adverts on the board, would this still count? Holidays would not be a problem as Asda sell tents, camping gear, bikes and holiday insurance. In this throw away age most people replace items, especially cars, because they are bored with them - rarely because there is something wrong with them - therefore only using two or three shops would be a wonderful slap in the face for needless consumerism. Like you, I would be interested to know what is absolutely essential for human life to survive that can't be bought at just two or three shops.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 04 Feb 2007, 17:53

Does Asda still have a pharmacy? Would you and and Porty be able to get your indigestion prescriptions there Dadaist?

I don't believe Dada could manage without Dobbie's

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 18:49

Interesting points re: cars, petrol and holidays, tom.

I think there is a pharmacy - that's a good point Marya, I would toil without my Lansoprazole and the occasional top-up glug of Gaviscon. Baking powder just wouldn't cut it.

Talking of cutting it with baking powder, this would mean that you could never buy any illegal drugs, unless Asda started up a "gear" aisle.

Tom - I'm not sure about the personals ads in Asda's entrance. It is within the rules of this game but I'm not sure if it is within the spirit of them - you could in theory buy or sell anything off those boards.

If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 18:50

Marya wrote: I don't believe Dada could manage without Dobbie's

It's the perfect day out.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 04 Feb 2007, 19:07

Dadaist wrote:If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.

Could always make your own.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 04 Feb 2007, 19:12

Good point Bearcub.

I'd like Tesco instead of Asda though. The bigger branches have much the same stuff but you get the Clubcard points.
I've not shopped in Lewis' for years so could manage without them, but what about Ebay? Is that included, it's not really a shop.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 04 Feb 2007, 19:15

PS Dadaist, try drinking mint tea,
I've had acid reflux for years and since drinking the mint tea I don't use much indigestion mix

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 04 Feb 2007, 20:26

I imagine that pretty soon you will just need Tesco. By then they will have a complete monopoly on every aspect of our life, from birth to death and even then you will be able to bequeath your clubcard points.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 20:51

SoupDragon wrote:PS Dadaist, try drinking mint tea,
I've had acid reflux for years and since drinking the mint tea I don't use much indigestion mix

Will do, and will report back. After food or just anytime?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 20:52

bearcub wrote:
Dadaist wrote:If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.
Could always make your own.

Where would you get the raw materials from? Where would you get the tools?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 04 Feb 2007, 20:53

SoupDragon wrote:Good point Bearcub.

I'd like Tesco instead of Asda though. The bigger branches have much the same stuff but you get the Clubcard points.
I've not shopped in Lewis' for years so could manage without them, but what about Ebay? Is that included, it's not really a shop.

I discounted websites/web stores in the original pitch.

Do you think you could live purely off Ebay?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 04 Feb 2007, 21:10

I was on Lansoprazole since, I dunno, since they invented it I think. Couldn't go without my daily fix and had to return from work some mornings because I hadn't taken it and the symptoms were starting up. But in recent months I seem to have 'got better' and now only take one very occasionally. I wish I could tell you how I managed it, some change of diet or lifestyle, but the truth is that one day I forgot to take my tablet and didn't feel too bad so I thought I would see if I could manage without it the next day and I just kept going without it.

I'm not recommending that you go cold turkey btw. Funny thing is that after a decade or so of signing repeat prescriptions, my doctor obviously isn't in the least concerned that I have suddenly stopped requesting them because it has never been mentioned.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 04 Feb 2007, 23:40

Dadaist wrote:I
If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.

Better make it Scotmid instead of Asda then...! Everything you need, right between two fridges...

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 04 Feb 2007, 23:41

Dadaist wrote:
bearcub wrote:
Dadaist wrote:If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.
Could always make your own.
Where would you get the raw materials from? Where would you get the tools?

B & Q?

Oops sorry skipped over the "internet" shops ( though both Tesco and Asda have sites & they will deliver ).

Doubt I could live off eBay when I think about it.

Love the idea of being able to buy my own coffin and getting clubcard points!

Can just see it now sitting in the hall.
I'd put in a couple of shelves to store books or cds in the meantime or store all the odd socks that this household seems to generate.

As to mint tea I tend to drink it most of the day instead of ordinary tea or coffee ,though I allow myself one or at most two cups of coffee in the morning, get the jitters and very red faced now if I have any more then that.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Feb 2007, 00:48

Right. Had serious thought about this.

Tesco- basic foods, drink , cds, dvds, Green and Blacks chocolate, some bigger ones have pharmacy, paint , white goods and you can collect in store stuff you can at present order online like beds, wardrobes and such like

Waterstones or another book shop. Tesco do stock books but only the usual pot boilers/ Richard and Judy reads, so I'd need something a bit more... well more.

A music shop. re Tesco the same as in books but I and most of my family couldn't live with the middle of the road stuff.

I'd like to include Findlays but I could, if pushed, live without their sausages and bacon ( just wouldn't buy the supermarket stuff though) and only need Hamiltons as my sis doesn't have any supply of soor plooms/toffee doddles in England ( takes supplies down when on holiday up here )

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 05 Feb 2007, 02:08

Dadaist wrote:
bearcub wrote:
Dadaist wrote:If you had just Asda & B&Q you'd be stuffed for furniture and beds.
Could always make your own.
Where would you get the raw materials from? Where would you get the tools?

Er....B&Q, that's wot they do, innit?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 05 Feb 2007, 08:02

Duh. Yeah they do sell tools at B&Q don't they.

And you can stuff your mattress/settee with clothes rags from George!

I'm wondering now if there's a bunch of baby stuff you can only get from Mothercare?

I'd only picked B&Q because they stock toilets and bathroom stuff (unlike Lewis) but never thought that you could use them to build your own stuff!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Feb 2007, 11:45

Does a garage count as a shop? One would be needed for car services and MOTs. ( Trying to grow my own mechanic but she's only in 2nd week of starter course so will take a while)

Shoe shop. I know Asda & Tesco do shoes but not Doc Martens , the sizes for mens shoes only go up to 11 and Clanger 2 is a size 13. Then there's the vegetarian boots, Madfish for preference.

Gloomy gothic/emo clothing shop.

Optician, hairdresser- suppose that could be counted within Asda as they have the shops in the shops

Definitely a book shop unless the supermarkets improve their lot and also start stocking Leckie and Leckie for those doing Standard Grades

So thats B & Q
Asda ( sorry Tesco you have to go as no optician in you)
Music store
Book shop ( probably Blackwells)
Shoe Shop
Garage/MOT station
Teenage clothes shop ( Flip or the like)

I seem to be adding in shops instead of minimising, depends on if you want bog standard or a wee bit more. This capitalistic consumer lark is contagious and spreading!

What about pubs?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 05 Feb 2007, 11:57

You can buy books, shoes and music at Asda. You can buy booze at Asda too.

Good point on the garage/MOT.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Feb 2007, 12:05

Yes but the shoes at Asda are too wee for my eldest son and I have 2 teenagers going into or doing Standard Grades/ Highers soon and most schools recommend buying the revision notes and past papers.
If they were to stock bigger sizes, better range of books/ music and teenage clothes then I'd dismiss Blackwells, Cloggs and Flip.
John Lewis is unnecessary. Asda now do a range of settees, curtains etc. B&Q also do curtains, blinds and floor coverings.

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 05 Feb 2007, 12:19

Past papers is a good one. You've obviously had your thinking cap on Soupy!

I'll ditch Lewis from my list. As you and Bearcub have pointed out, if you can't buy it from B&Q you can make it with tools and materials from them.

But in that spirit of make-do - do you think the SQA will provide copies of past papers on request, and are revision guides and notes strictly necessary?

I'm not getting all Ray Mears on you, don't worry.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Feb 2007, 12:55

Had a wee look around online. SQA have specimen papers that can be downloaded and I suppose most course work could be revised from notes.( Like I did in my day!) It's just that most teachers seem to recommend the Leckie and Leckie at parents nights. But in the spirit of making do, bookshops might be ditched and music shops too. Asda online has a fair range of cds so even if they're not in the stores perhaps they could be ordered in. If they had nothing else to wear the George range would have to do the Clangers.
Been informed that Asda shoe shop in the shop has safety boots in bigger sizes so shoe shop not really necessary if just making do.
Be a kind of bland existence if we're all dressed the same, from the same place.

So that would take us to Garage, Asda, B&Q

Solicitors, Banks?

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 05 Feb 2007, 16:17

For me it would be
Debenhams
Tesco
and probably B&Q

It wasn't an easy decision either

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Feb 2007, 16:33

Ah, Tesco - capitalism's answer to the soviet era GUM!!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Feb 2007, 17:34

Sorry going to have to put a decent bookshop back in
I couldn't manage just by reading whats on the supermarket shelves and Baby Dragon insists on her L&L revision notes. I want her to do well in school, become rich and keep me in a luxurious manner, to which I will rapidly become accustomed
And my Doc Martens, need my Docs ! a new spring range will be out soon, so shoe shop is back in , fickle parent that I am, was willing to let Clanger 2 go around in safety boots but baulk at the thought of doing without myself.

It's too late. I've caught capitalism. I like having multiple choice.
How do the folk in rural areas cope?

So I've got
garage, shoe shop, book shop, Asda/Tesco, B&Q

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:18

In my ideal world I would shop at Greggs and the current Mrs N would shop at Ann Summers. Icing on both cakes for me, don't you know. Is Lansoprazole not an island in the Atlantic?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:20

tom nimmo wrote:the current Mrs N would shop at Ann Summers.

Won't be current for long after that comment??

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:24

Not to worry Poppy. She doesn't know I post on POL and she never reads the forum anyway.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:24

SoupDragon wrote:How do the folk in rural areas cope?

Catalogues/internet/looooooong day trips to Inverness/Carlisle, etc!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:25

tom nimmo wrote:Not to worry Poppy. She doesn't know I post on POL and she never reads the forum anyway.

But someone might tell her!!

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:43

Poppy wrote:But someone might tell her!!

She knows me well enough by now so I'm not unduly worried at the prospect. However, just in case of unforseen repercussions I hope I can count on your discretion. I was going to give her a Valentine's day yum-yum from Greggs. Do you think that would go down well?

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:44

You might end up wearing it.

Nelson Hatstand · Post by **Nelson Hatstand** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:45

Jenners.
John Lewis.
Fopp (Cockburn Street branch).

That should just about meet my needs.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Feb 2007, 18:51

tom nimmo wrote:I hope I can count on your discretion.

That will cost you

tom nimmo wrote: I was going to give her a Valentine's day yum-yum from Greggs. Do you think that would go down well?

Dada has answered that one!!