I'm NOT a Criminal, am I?

[AndrewT]

I went into a Supermarket, it doesn't matter which one, and approached a Counter. I was told to ONLY go 'There', when I had Finished my shopping. I returned, having finished my shopping, to be told ''We Will Send 'Someone' Over Shortly''. Sure enough, a couple of minutes later, a Girl arrived- confirmed that I had finished my shopping.....and sold me.....wait for this....not One but Two.....Packets of......SPARKLERS🙄 I believe that, the Modern Phrase is WTF, in 'My Day' they said 'You Couldn't Make It Up'. The Assistant, went on to say, that they 'Hadn't Sold Many this Year'- to be honest I'M NOT F..KING SUPPRISED!

Now I can understand, the need, for Some 'Care And Attention' when selling Fireworks and YES, I guess, Sparklers DO Count....But! I have had these Sparklers, for a number of Hours now, First in my Mothers Home- we had Fish & Chips together- and then, via a car journey, in my Own Home. Thus Far, absolutely NOTHING, has 'Happened'- nor really do I 'Expect' it to.

In a week, or so's, time I will Light one- or even two- Sparklers, perhaps even Sharing some...after all I DID buy TWO packs, didn't I? I'm, absolutely sure that my, indeed our, 'Spent' Sparklers will be Dropped onto the Cold Ground afterwards. In the morning one of us, probably myself, will pick up these Sparklers Fold Them Over before, safely of course, placing them in a Suitable Rubbish Bag. I further Submit....That we WILL do All Of This without, the need, for an S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure).

Now I DON'T want, to be, a 'Fuddy Duddy' BUT....When WE were Children, we would either go around to our neighbours, or they would come to us. We had a Bonfire, just in the garden, on which we placed a 'Guy'- usually made by ourselves. Our Parents, normally the Dads, Let Off the 'Main' Fireworks whilst We ALL Held Sparklers, or even 'Hand' Fireworks. Hollowed Out Swedes, Turnips, or other Root Vegetables were placed in a large Billy Can, whilst Potatoes- occasionally Wrapped in foil- were put into the Ashes.

Despite ALL these, VERY DANGEROUS, activities was anyone ever actually hurt? Well actually YES, one of the girls.....Fell Off A Swing! Have I opened a Can Of Worms, if so, Careful with Those Edges.....

AndrewT

[sospan]

So the issue is that you had to wait to be served and they hadn't sold sparklers to anyone else .......... ?

[sue-66]

I think it could be down to today's "health and safety" , you can't get any fireworks until you have finished shopping, you can't take them around the store in your trolley/basket.

My youth was the same as yours 😊 I always had a sparkler in my hand.

[Broken_Doll]

I have quite strong views regarding fireworks; even sparklers! I don’t believe fireworks of any kind should be sold to the public in supermarkets and shops. They should be limited to organised displays. It’s quite horrid and intrusive when you (and your animals) are sensitive to loud noise.. and not to mention the amount of litter that gets left behind after people have set off fireworks in their back gardens.

[Froggiefrog]

Sorry, this is not meant to be confrontational in any way, but I cannot see any reason why fireworks should be manufactured, let alone sold to the public. I have worked in an A and E department on a night shift on November 5th and I often wonder how many of those who currently see these menaces as ' harmless bits of fun' would continue to do so had they done the same.