On Saturdays

Last school year, my senior students asked me whether it would be possible to schedule their extra lessons on a Saturday - when there's no school. Unfortunately, last year this wasn't possible on such a short notice, but as from this school year, extra lessons are scheduled on Saturdays. Extra lessons occur just before exams and this means I'm free on Saturdays from end October to mid March.

Today has been my first Saturday off work since 1997!  My biological clock, though, woke me up at 7:00 am. It took me some time to realise that I had no lessons today! So, after having my car washed at Splash, I headed to Debenhams Zenon. Now that it's getting colder, I really felt like  shopping for jumpers and boots!

I was at Clarins, at the Cosmetics Department, patiently waiting for my turn. A lady was before me.  It took her 10 minutes to decide what lipgloss and eye shadow were best for her, but I patiently waited. Finally, she told the sales assistant that she'd take the lipgloss and an eyebrow pencil.  But she kept looking at things... While she was browsing through Clarins items, the very polite sales assistant offered to help me...at last! I smiled and said I just wanted a sunblock for the face. No sooner  had the sales assistant got the sunblock for me than the lady before me got very annoyed and drily said:   "Just cancel!" She cancelled her purchase just because a polite sales assistant offered to help another customer while the lady was still browsing!

Back home here I am at the computer, feeling content with my shopping and looking forward to a  Saturday night out with Alkis and great friends!

Have a lovely weekend!

 

Comments

[Phivos]

Keep shopping and looking forward dear Anastasia!!

[Haruko N]

I don't usually work on Saturdays but sometimes I have to, like today, but then I get Monday off. When I don't work on Saturday, I do the shopping at the supermarket or simply relax at home listening to my favorite music.

[Jim]

In our company, we are supposed to work only from Monday till Friday, but in our department, the people are made to work on Saturdays as well. Our bosses are all of the opinion that if you work for very long hours (i.e. late into the evening) and are prepared to work fully on Saturdays, then it shows that you are very committed and hardworking. Yet, everyone has a right to a Saturday night bath! :-)

[Mark Hammot.]

Working on Saturday sucks!

[Andy]

Saturday night is probably the busiest day of the week for Australian restaurants, so I'm used to working hard on Saturdays!

[Katie White]

Hope your Saturday night out was a blast1

[Ted S]

Weekends have an almost mythical place in the lives of the working man or woman. Those two days hold so much promise.In those approximate 48 hours, you can accomplish anything: partying, relaxing, sleeping, reading, running errands and so much more. The opportunity to finally achieve something the workweek has prevented is a priceless gift. Whether or not you actually cross anything off of that to-do list is another story. Blame it on years of schooling that taught you to behave all week and maybe you can go to your friend's birthday party or the movies on Saturday. Thanks for this great post, Anastasia!

[Zachary]

For government workers in Singapore we have the "five day work week". This mean that they work from Monday to Friday. In private business people may work on Saturdays and Sundays as well. And may I thank you for all the great work in your English Blog. It is thanks to you that I passed my IGCSE. Thanks a million!!

[Anastasia]

Congratulations on your success, Zachary. I'm glad my English blog helped.
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[Karolina]

I work every other weekend, at Christmas, New year and Easter but I've got used to it now and don't really mind.

[Christina]

I love shopping on saturdays when I can afford it, even if I have to wait in a long queue to pay. I usually shop around with my girlfriends and then we'd go for a coffee or lunch. It's all part of Saturday's fun.

[Laura]

Some people can be so weird!! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

[Lakis Ioannou]

I'd rather work than shop on a Saturday!

[Jeff]

If I go to the park today I pay $3 for parking and there will be lots of people out and about. On weekdays parking is free, fewer people are using the same resources, and there is less traffic. In the constant blur of noise, it is easy to get distracted on weekdays. But on weekends it is much easier to be productive because not as much is going on. I actually like working weekends and then try to take some time off during the work week.

[Anastasia]

And then you say I'm workaholic! :-)
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[Jean-Paul Bouvier]

Peu importe que tu sois à temps plein ou à temps partiel, en France la durée légale du travail est de 35 heures par semaine. Si tu assures pour la continuité du service un travail en continu du lundi de la première semaine au dimanche de la deuxième semaine cela inclue nécessairement un samedi et un dimanche de travail et tu effectues un travail sur une quatorzaine dont la plage légale est de 70 heures (35x2). Sur ces deux semaines tu dois bénéficier des 4 jours de repos conventionnel dont obligatoirement deux jours consécutifs dont un dimanche… sans oublier que la semaine commence le lundi matin à 00h00 au dimanche soir 24h00.

[Lisa A]

Younger Italians spend their weekdays at school. In the evening, they may be at home, because of the amount of homework that teachers are giving them.. On weekends, they get together with family and friends for fun activities. If they are religious, they fit religious services and training into their week and weekend. Older Italians spend their weekdays at work or in and out of the home. Those Italians who don't work tend to spend the time going shopping, meeting with friends in outdoor cafes or public parks, and running their households. In the evening, they tend to be home with their families. On weekends, they hold special activities and dinners with other family members and friends. Or they may go out to restaurants. Saturday is my time off work and I love shopping or meeting friends. On Saturday evening we go out in a restaurant for dinner.

[Constantinos T]

Curiously enough, I feel more productive on Saturdays than on Mondays, let's say. I will work on an important project at work on Saturday. By Monday all the hard work has been done and I feel more relaxed during the work week.

[Olga P]

Ανκαι η κίνηση στην αγορά είναι πολύ πεσμένη τώρα τελευταία, το Σάββατο έχει συνήθως πολλή δουλειά στην μπουτίκ. Μου έτυχε να δουλεύω μέχρι και τις 8-9 το βράδυ. Εχω όμως ρεπό τη Δευτέρα το οποίο και απολαμβάνω.

[Alexia M]

Sometimes I have to work Saturdays and Sundays but that's life! When I don't work on weekends, I sleep in, have a huge breakfast (not recommended by my dietician) including eggs, buns, sausages, bacon, beans and dutch muffins, I go to the movies and chat on the Internet. I'm working this weekend but I have the day off today. Have a great week ahead!!!

[Sophia]

I prefer shopping at the Mall in Lemesos - there are some great fun activities for kids on Saturdays. Debenhams here had great special offers which continue till end of November. For example, I got a Warehouse cashemere jumper for €67 only. I think I am going to finish my Christmas shopping by end November. I'm sure prices will go up just before Christmas!

[Stefania]

I posted a comment yesterday but...it has disappeared! Oh I know you didn't remove it :-) Anyway, I just wanted to say how surprised I am at some people being rude and offending others for ridiculous reasons. The other day I was waiting in the queue at the express counter for up to 10 items. The lady behind me noticed I had 11 items and pointed this out to the cashier who had to ask me to go back to the queue at the next counter. Of course I didn't move and politely replied that the 11th item is just a carton of milk.

[Anastasia]

I'm sorry about that, Stefania. I did not receive a comment from you yesterday! Must be a glitch or something.
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[Marilou Kyriacou.]

I don't work at weekends which I spend with friends and family.

[Erica L.]

I work on the weekends to make ends meet...but it sucks!

[Andreas]

For doctors all days are the same! take care and enjoy your wks off work... I know that you sometimes work harder than doctors! Filakia!!!

[Tipper]

Well some people are so rude :) I'm glad you got what you needed though-and hope your Sat night out was a good one!

[Agnes]

There seems to be a lady just like her at every mall :-)