6 a.m.

Be the early bird. Try to be at the superstore before the masses arrive. You know, it’s Christmas. People behave like stores are closed for two weeks instead for two days. You are clever and picked a superstore that opens very early. Scarcely anybody will go shopping at 6 a.m.

You are right. You arrive at the superstore (surprised at so many cars on the parking lot) and find racks full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nearly nobody is there beside you. Unhurriedly you pick everything you need, knowing that getting up that early was the right decision. Where the heck are the people belonging to those cars outside at 6 a.m.?

You arrive at the check-out. And suddenly you know why all corridors were so empty. Because all the people belonging to those cars outside are waiting to pay their shopping at the sole open counter at 6 a.m…

You swear to yourself to go shopping a day earlier next year. Like you swear every year.