NLB Great Sale Squeeze

Last year, I missed the National Library Board sale. Prices was slashed to unbelievably low though the books naturally are not in crisp new condition... This year, I was more diligent ;) Tk God for a hubby who would drive me there in the morning - to join the 'snake' queue. I arrive 5 min after official opening time but the queue was already more than 400 metres long, if not, longer!

The Singapore Squeeze
Now, I know that apart from the strange phenomenon that Singaporeans love to queue up for things, I am fully aware that Singaporeans can be ugly in certain settings (for e.g. when they are all fighting for that seemingly 1 thing which in the end they may not desperately need after all), I wasn't ready that I hardly have more than 1 min to browse the books on each section so as to decide whether to buy it or not! It felt almost like factory assembly line! Move, stop, pause, move on...

One Lesson To Bring Back...
You guessed it - the attire! Though it may sounds familiar to warfare preparation, you will not lose out if you wear prepared for any pushing or stepping on - be it someone else's feet or worse, wheels carrying full load of books dragged mindlessly by frantic browsers! I was frustrated and stated in the most diplomatic and firm tone for that fellow to watch out for his wheels. But, all fell on deaf ears. *sigh* Well, the conclusion is: wear shoes and keep your open toes shoes at home! If possible, wear thicker clothing so that you won't be suceptible to blue-blacks when you get out of the place!

More Kiasu-ism To Come!
What I was not prepared for was a sighting in the queue. Well, it was a long, long queue as expected. Thus, to make the wait less torturing, I picked up one of the books I planned to buy and read as I queued and moved up the queue, while at times, using my feet to shift my plastic bag of books ahead as I moved forward. Gradually, I saw more and more of this 'technique ' being practised. But, my jaws almost dropped when I saw a lady singlehandedly dragged 2 bags of books from behind her, and with each move forward, pushed not 1 but 3 bags of books ahead of her!!! Did her helpers abandon her or was it kiasu-ism in manifestation?!

To sum it up, it was indeed an experience to remember for some time to come. I have been to warehouse sale before but never been in such a packed place. It was almost like a 'warhouse' sale... I actually almost lost my balance twice due to the hurried pushing of others in their relentless pursuit of their books. Well, thank God that His angels got hold of me! ;> I will surely be more prepared for next round (yes, i'll be back!) The 45 min wait and some uninvited kia-su pushing were somehow worth it, cos' I took back 5 good books that cost me only $10!