I would like to propose a new law. If you are shopping in a supermarket you are allowed, with no consequence or dilema, to ignore people you know and get on with your business. No chit chat, no small talk, no conversation whatsoever.

I’m not being grumpy, well I am a bit, but my brain isn’t in conversation mode when I’m in Budgens, I am there for one reason and one reason only. I am buying stuff, and not particularly interesting stuff. Bog roll, Fairy liquid, mince, etc. I’m looking at a list, I’m trying to remember what goes in a mousaka, my brain is not in the right gear to switch into chatting.

Even worse if you bump into people just as you both arrive, after a quick disultory chat you then spend the next half hour bumping into each other as you go up and down the aisles doing the slightly embarressed nod and smile.

So – from now on – if I bump into you in Tescos I’ll say ‘Hi,’ and crack on. I’m not being rude, I’m not ignoring you I’m just trying to get my shopping done. If we see each other down the pub then of course I’ll talk to you and be friendly. Unless I’m trying to order a drink. Then you’ve got a better chance having a chat with Elivs.