Ramadan Frenzy!!!!!
Here’s some lovely rubbish courtesy of the Gulf-Times. Sometimes I don’t know if the writers of that newspaper even have any logical congnative skills. In this little post we’re going to talk about an article quite artistically entitled “Residents begin stocking up on essential items”.
The Gulf Times feeds on ambigious and vague sentences. They rely on the average person’s power of assumption in order to pass on a message which isn’t clear. I’m going to dissect this magical piece of parchment.
“Qatar residents have started stocking up on essential commodities, anticipating a big rush in the hypermarkets before Ramadan.”
You’d think it was judgement day! Is the world ending? Is there something the Gulf Time’s knows that we don’t? Come now, don’t you think ‘Judgement Day Arriving’ would be a great headliner? How many Qatar residents have they surveyed? 2? 200? Is everything going to run out during Ramadan?
NO! Don’t panic! The whole world doesn’t stop during Ramadan. In FACT, Muslims are supposed to continue their normal daily routine, not lounge around and do nothing during Ramadan. The only difference is that restaurants will be empty during the day for non-Muslims, the traffic should die down a bit, and work hours are cut down.
Additionally, shops don’t go empty forever! If the stores sell out, they’ll restock! Only a STUPID store owner wouldn’t try to meet demand.
“We couldn’t get flour for three days well into Ramadan last year. When we did, the price was already jacked up. Some of the other items were not available just as well. So this year, I’m pre-empting it by stocking items,” explained a mother of five.
Yes a mother of five who cannot anticipate the needs of her children, uses words like ‘jacked up’, and pre-empting her lack of flour.. Whatever that means.
If you ask me, the author of the article probably turned to his/her colleague and said, “Hey what didn’t you find last Ramadan?”
“As redidents, who currently on vacation, start to fly back to Doha, the shopping for both Ramadan and schools is only likely to intensify’, she said”.
Wait a minute… we’re basing this whole frenzy on Mrs. Mother of Five? Is she an economist? Store manager? Can I get some background here.
She does have a point though, this year will probably be a bit tight because the starting of schools, Ramadan and people coming back from vacation fall around the same time. HOWEVER, school children will be frenzying to their closest stationary shop or Toys’R’Us not to the super markets… The only thing that parents would be buying extra since school starts from Carrefour or LuLu are Dr. Chocula’s Suger Puff Honey Smacks and Cheese Strings. Hardly something that a majority of the population would stock up on… However it would answer a lot of questions if they did.
“Charity organizations offering free mass-Iftar oartues during Ramadan have also started buying staple items…”
Finally, something which is true to the bone and justifiable.
“We always have a well-stocked and dedicated area put up for Ramada shortly at Dasman’, The FMCG official at Dasman said”
Wait… you’re well stocked… FREEEEEENZY TIME.
The article then goes on about how people are cautious with their money and start to pride price difference on items…. Oh the irrelevance… Perhaps they’re trying to deter you from shopping at all…
Shouldn’t this have been in another article?
Anyway, let’s cut this story short. Don’t panic. Go do your shopping. Stock up if you want to avoid the crowded lines. Take it easy. Relax. It’s Ramadan not the end of the World.
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