Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 23rd November 2024.

23rd November, 2024.

You know, Brentwood’s branch of Sainsbury’s is wonderful.

It’s got most of the stuff I need on a daily basis: even if it’s quite a walk away.

The problem … is the SmartShop.

You scan an item with the app on your phone, put in in a bag in your trolley, head for the Smart Shop self-service till, scan the QR code, double check the list, pay for everything … 

Then walk out of the store, and go home.

Swearing about the amount you have to carry, the wait for the bus, the price of the cab, the time it takes to put everything away, what-have-you!

Most of the time … ?

The actual in-store shopping, scanning the stuff into the till and paying for it … is relatively hassle free.

Except when the till beeps at you: to tell you it wants a member of staff to quickly double check things.

I can understand that.

Sainsbury’s want to make sure we’re not shop-lifting.

My specific issue?

Every month, I do a big shop.

I try and get a month’s worth of stuff: frozen food, cleaning stuff, a big pack of toilet roll, what-have-you.

Every month of the past year or so?

Every single month?

When I’ve done this monthly shop, the system asks for a member of staff to check my shopping.

Every month.

It takes a varied amount of time, depending on whether they just need to check a few items or — like yesterday — unpack everything and re-scan the lot.

But it happens, every month.

To the point where — yesterday, in the queue for the till — I asked the staff member on duty to keep their eyes peeled: as, any minute now, they’d be asked to check my shopping.

Lo and behold … the poor woman had to wander over to the till I was at.

I’m getting used to it: I don’t know if the staff are.

They should be: as it’s been happening once a month, for anywhere between a year to eighteen months.

Like I say: I can understand why it’s happening.

But I’m finding it time-consuming, repetitive and vaguely insulting.

I can only hope someone at Sainsbury’s head-office is reading this.

I’d like it to stop …

~≈🛒≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum*, Olga† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with everyone scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        The first episode of Doctor Who aired on 23rd November, 1963.   The First Doctor was played by William Hartnell.   Who’s playing the current, Fifteenth, Doctor: Jodie Whittaker, David Tennent or Ncuti Gatwa?

Q2)        Imam died on 23rd November, 2019.   Imam was the last what in existence: Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros or Cloud Leopard?

Q3)        23rd November is Repudiation Day in Frederick County.   Where IS Frederick County: Rhode Island, Maryland or Minnesota?

Q4)        The New Shepard rocket became first space vehicle to launch, and then return to Earth: on 23rd November, 2015.   The company that built the rocket was founded by whom: Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Sue Nicholls was born on 23rd November, 1943.   She played Nadia Popov in which series: Coronation Street, Pipkins or Rentaghost?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        22nd November is independence day in Lebanon: marking the day the country declared itself independent from where?

A1)        France.

Q2)        What’s Lebanon’s capital?

A2)        Beirut.

Q3)        What’s Lebanon’s official language: Arabic, Swahili or English?

A3)        Arabic.

Q4)        The country’s currency is the Lebanese what: pound, shilling or groat?

A4)        The Lebanese Pound.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Lebanon is a what: republic or monarchy?

A5)        Republic.

Here’s a thought …

“Feminism is about being who you want to be and having choices.   If that choice is to be a glamour model, that’s empowering because it’s your decision.   That’s the whole point of feminism.”

Kelly Brook, 23 November 1979.

A song …

And an earworm …


Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.



The next ten question set is on … 

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!

†        It’s worth a go, I think, Olga!

        I have to say, I always notice the smell of used fireworks, if there’s been any nearby.   That smell is very distinct!

‡        The President elect would possibly be grateful, Debbi!   At any rate, there’s a few Prisoner shirts doing the rounds.

        Actually … there’s a t-shirt company called Don’t Panic: if I recall correctly, they started by making slogan t-shirts!