I am sure that this subject has been broached previously on these pages but it is definitely worth repeating.

It is the somewhat touchy subject of ‘special offer’ greed.

Every so often I learn about a deal in the local supermarket, so off I go with my ‘bag for life’, and when I get to the specific aisle that might be offering half price tea bags, or ‘buy one, get one free’ detergent – the shelf is empty.

So I get into my car and visit the larger supermarket – once again the shelf is empty.

When I politely make an enquiry about the said item from a worker at the supermarket, I am greeted with a bemused look, and a comment, ‘They all went in the first hour love’.

However when I make a visit to my cousin who lives in a non-Asian area and visit the said supermarket there is a reasonable amount of availability of the special offer item. (Oh dear I’m letting a secret out of the bag here!) That got me thinking – are we just natural hoarders of food?

Upon various discussions with local people I have been told that some staff at these supermarkets will inform close family members, and on occasions will take advantage of the offers for themselves.

Also, rather than pick up a couple of packs of teabags – many people will often fill the whole trolley with the said item.

Since many of the supermarkets do not monitor the amount purchased, and the advent of self-service tills, these practices cannot be controlled.

I saw the above in action a few weeks ago involving some almonds.

The local supermarket had an offer on the nut – ‘buy one, get two free’. As my other half is a big fan of almonds I was going to purchase one pack, and obviously get two free.

When I got to the large basket I was confronted by an Asian lady literally picking up dozens of the packs and placing them in the trolley, while on the mobile ’phone asking other family members whether they wanted some. I just about managed to acquire my three packs, but I just found the whole scene unpalatable.

It is too easy to say that these people are being smart, or frugal. I just call it being rude, inconsiderate and above all – greedy!