Buying onions

Buying onions is a simple matter, isn't it? Not necessarily. Not if you live in Thailand.

I go shopping at our local Lotus Tesco. I am in a hurry and don't want to face the possible communication breakdowns that I will probably face at the market. Only have half an hour to get everything done. Must rush. Must get onions. I select the three least revolting onions . I look around for somewhere to weigh them. There is no where. I look around for someone to help out. There is no one. I wander around looking silly for a few minutes. I see a lady with a badge chatting on the phone. Does she work here? Yes she does. its a Tesco badge. I look at her imploringly. She continues with her conversation, completely dismissing me. I look around some more. Where do I weigh the onions???

The lady on the phone tells her friend to hold on and grabs the onions from me. She marches off. Disappears. I wait. Nina gets ratty. I wander around the - very limited - fruit and veggie section a little more. I check out the rambutan, the dragon fruit, the papaya. Mmmm. I wait. Nina gets rattier. Nina is sick. The wait does not bring out the best in her. I wait. Nina's nose starts running. I find a tissue and wipe it. I wait. Several staff look at me weirdly. I look weirdly at them. Still no sign of the onion/telephone lady. I have to get home. Time's up. I remember I have half an onion in my fridge, its sprouting new shoots, but its an onion. I can use it - the recipe only needs half an onion. I don't really need these onions that badly. Not today anyway. I leave with a fairly heated heart - very unThai.

As I pay for my other purchases I notice a packet of weighed and priced onions in my trolley, cunningly hidden under the box of tissues.

Next time I'm going to the market instead. Less communication breakdowns there.