Originally Posted by BigD

After my interest was piqued in coffee machines, I was yesterday morning in Media Markt, examining their wares.

I was particulary interested in an espresso-machine, but my ability to get close to it was somewhat limited by this old couple standing in front of it. Being a polite kind of chap, I thought rather than adapting the swiss-way, and cutting right in front of them to reach my goal, I hung back in the hope that they soon be done. The lady the turned round, looked at me and screamed. I don't mean she did a double-take or was simply startled ; no, she SCREAMED gutterally at the top of her lungs, long and loud. Not realising that coffee machines invoke such fervour, I was a little shocked.

What really shocked me was that neither she nor her husband said a word, not to me, nor each other and simply turned away again. So as the staff were running over, who knows what they thought ? They simply pulled up short and pointed out the features of the coffee jug. I was left simply feeling uncomfortable.

It reminded me of an assault I once witnessed, where the victim was simply ignored, and everyone continued their business as if nothing had happened...

BigD