The benefits of small town shopping...

I have lived in this town for five years. I am no longer afraid of people when they talk to me on the street, and I have mostly curbed the impulse to call Child Protective Services when I see children playing outside unattended, and on occasion, have even let my own kids do the same.

But I hadn't realized just how used to small town life I had gotten until I was shopping in the Cities this weekend. I was there for another reason and just thought I would pop into a couple of stores to pick up specific items.

I had completely forgotten how terribly stressful it is to shop two weekends before Christmas. There was no parking anywhere, people were double parking, and aggressive and even mean-spirited gestures were the norm in the lots. Once inside, there was jostling and pushing, merchandise was sold out, and when I needed to ask a question, the sales people were too busy to bother.

In one store, I was able to get the sales assistant's attention, and he answered my question politely, but wasn't what I would call friendly. Nor did he seem the least bit interested in helping me beyond answering my question. And who could blame him, really. I was more surprised about my impulse to chat with him.

That was when I realized as much as people complain about the small town-ness of Fairmont, it really has its benefits. I am looking for an item that was easy to find in stores a few years ago, but now that I want it is off the shelves. Hoping to avoid internet sites so close to the big day, I called around locally. While no one had it, they were more than willing to stay on the phone and help me think of other places to try.

Unfortunately, I will have to do some internet shopping because there are things you just can't find in Fairmont. But, at least this time of year, I would rather try locally and go straight to the online than take my chances in the parking lots up north.