This just in

While we are all feeling the effects of an insecure financial situation, shopping is still an important pastime over here. Particularly in Al Ain where we don't have the range of hotels, clubs and other cultural delights that can be found in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. A long-awaited opening of a new mall has finally happened to much excitement. The biggest thrill for all my non-British (and those Brits who've lived abroad for a long time) was the opening of a branch of Sharks & Pinchers here in Al Ain. My long-standing boycott was easy to maintain here where the nearest branch was over an hour and half's drive away and the price of goods is more expensive than in the UK. Last week, during a college Fun Day when the male staff had to stay away so that our students could relax their usual dress code in order to take part in sports and activities, some of the female staff decided to visit Bawadi Mall during their lunch break. They returned triumphantly holding up their M&S bags as though they'd travelled to Arcadia and brought back precious ambrosia. "Look!" demanded an Irish lady, her eyes glowing as she thrust the contents of her bag into my face, "Marks & Spencer coffee." I wasn't impressed. I could barely contain my scorn at this shallow admiration of up market consumerism. Well, I've done without M&S all this time and I didn't feel the need to subject myself to the familiar smugness of its corporate profile. Until 2 hours ago. Aaaaargh. I have darkened their doors. It did take a bit of effort, with some encouragement from Lulu who held my hand and coaxed me through the entrance, much to the amusement of the security guard standing in the doorway. How long ago is it since I began this boycott? Well, it's over temporarily. In my kitchen I have a box of M&S cornflakes (cheaper than the dreaded Carrefour's own brand), individual coffee filters and a jar of instant coffee. All very cheap and, hopefully, if their advertising is accurate, still of a high quality.

I've been rethinking my obstinacy about M&S for a little while, which will please Fenella-down-the-road (although a lot further than that these days). When I was in Norwich last January I went on a shopping trip with my sister and Niece the Elder. They wanted to have coffee in Marks & Spencer and I refused point blank. "Oh no," I said with conviction, "I boycott Marks & Spencer. I couldn't possibly have a cup of coffee there." As I wrote that I realised how pompous I must have sounded. Twelve year old Niece the Elder asked me why, so I took great delight in explaining how badly I had been treated. "Is that all?" she asked, and I could tell she thought I was over-reacting. In spite of that, they both agreed to go elsewhere and we found a really nice new cafe near the bus station, which had just been taken under new management. I'd much rather support local business than a giant corporation. But perhaps I should relax my vendetta against M&S who, when it comes down to it, couldn't care less anyway.