Open Writing

When I visited Bradford city centre as a lad I was amazed at the huge variety of goods offered for sale in the big stores. Sometimes, as I gazed in their windows wishing I could afford just one of the items on offer a window dresser would smile at me, and sometimes wave.

As I go around town these days I rarely see a window dresser, and those I do see seem to have no time to smile. And where have all those big stores gone? The emporiums which stocked everything. A new thimble for mam, a new pipe for dad, and all at a reasonable price. The stores used to be so bright and inviting in an evening.

I remember visits to the old Kirkgate market with my aunt. She would buy me a snack there, usually pie and peas. At each stall there would be a smile, a stallholder willing to chat. Nowadays in shops it's "Can I help you sir?'' or "Can I help you madam?'' When you say you are just looking you are given a glance which is far removed from a smile.

Old buildings such as the Ritz cinema have given way to new stores and banks, but even in those banks you are not likely to receive a smile. I took in 15 bags of coins that I had collected over a period of time. I was told, without even a hint of a smile, that the bank would accept no more than five bags of coins at a time. Counting coins took up too much time. After I had done some grovelling, I was on that occasion allowed to hand in all 15 bags. But come on! A bank that won't accept money?

There were more old buildings being demolished the other day. More new shops on the way. I wonder if the owners of those new shops will encourage staff into old-time habits - the habits of smiling, and chatting to customers?

Someone should launch a city-wide competition, with prizes for the stores which are most courteous to the people who line the pockets of store-owners with their hard-earned pennies. Sorry. After my bank experience I should have said pound notes.

Pennies are going out of style. As is the smile.