[London] It should be so simple, it should be a joy to use for ‘metro-shoppers’ all over London, but the self service counters in Bethnal Green are really a moody unhelpful and ugly bunch.

It was rush hour and all us ‘metro’ shoppers had our ready meals to the ready and admittedly were looking for the most hassle free route, from work to home, food and bed. Hence there was a long queue hovering round the self service counters.

There were four counters in all, three of them all chirping in cannon their scripts. One, however, was a bit stuck: ‘Please take your change, please take your change”. Its voice dominated the scene, all eyes were on the ‘problem’ space where a guy’s head was bobbing up down and all around trying to find his money. He had taken his change, but was still looking for the notes.

The situation continued for about two minutes, the repitition of course made it seem longer. The man didn’t say a thing: he couldn’t.. who too? Eventually someone tapped him on the shoulder and pointed him back, to the other side of the machine, under the scanner… where you begin your shopping process and… where now his notes lay and…where in any situation, you’d probably use to dispose of receipts, cigarrette buts and gum.

The man was embarrassed, his coordination seemed to leave him as he quickly tried to gather his stuff and leave. The self service counter, of course ignored him and was already calling the next customer; who were by now a bit wary, all hoping that they wouldn’t get the interaction wrong when it was their turn.