Offering advice seems to be one of those things that have a funny tendency of developing and spreading almost like a chain reaction.

While in a local supermarket, looking at some rather green bananas, I found myself suddenly showered with all sorts of tips and tricks on how to ripen them at home. First, a lady told me that they must be wrapped or put on newspaper (I didn’t get that part quite well, I wasn’t really paying any attention to the people around me). Then, a second one said that they must be placed near a window, or in a place with more light. Even before she finished saying that and while I was smiling awkwardly and trying to offer my thanks, a third one interfered to tell me that what the previous lady said was true, but that by no means should I put them out on the balcony, because the room must be warm.

I thanked them almost unnoticed, as they passionately continued their conversation on topics such as efficient ways of warming their homes, the cold outside, the prices and the quality of the products and so on and so forth.

I picked a bunch of bananas and made my way as quickly as possible to pay for them, slightly amused by the fact that – no offense or disrespect meant – I love my bananas a bit green and pretty much dislike them when they’re all yellow and ripe and too sweet.

Categories: Thoughts