Sunday 6 February 2011

Windows of opportunity

The Family Jewels, Oxford St, Paddington
I frequent the Verona Cinema on Oxford Street. My friend walks up from Redfern, and I mosey on down just a couple of blocks from my place. It is a vibrant area. One the way home, I totally meander, and look in windows. Do you know the expression 'tyre kicker'? That is what I do.

Ariel Booksellers, Oxford St, Paddington
However, taking a cue from my daugher, I am becoming addicted to shopping on-line. It gets delivered. Knock, knock. 'Parcel, missus'. How exciting is that?

This evening she bought a 'lite-scoop'. Last week I bought a pair of reef shoes.

Shag, Oxford St, Paddington
I did not realise that 'tyre kicker' was an Australian expression. People wander around used-car lots, and one of the actions they perform is to kick the tyre of the car. There is nothing to be gained from this action. And frequently, the action is done by someone with absolutely no intention to purchase. They are 'just looking'. Hence, a 'tyre-kicker' is someone with no intention of 'buying'.

14 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Gorgeous photos, Julie. I love the last one. I can't really imagine you kicking tires on other people's cars, so the expression must mean something else, and I'm guessing "wasting time" but your time is far from wasted if you get pictures like these.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Luis Gomez said...

Lovely images. I learned the expression while in Sydney. I remember the area around the Verona cinema really well. Thank you Julie.

Unknown said...

When you shop online it is like Christmas all year long. Ding-dong - here is your present.

Ann said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann said...

That was me, above. Wrote before thinking, as ususal.

Wonderful shot of Ariel, came up a treat. On the shopping front, I seem to have overcome my fear of Ebay and just won an auction for a 2nd hand Canon 10-22mm lens. Can see how it becomes addictive.

Jim said...

These are really great and barely any reflections in teh glass.

Joan Elizabeth said...

The top shop reminds me of the ones in QVB ... I love just looking at them. No temptation because I don't wear jewellry. As for bookshops ... I can never just window shop in them. Have not really caught the online shopping bug because I am trying not to shop at all. I've already got too much stuff. Says she who went into Megalong books that other day and walked out with my credit card $100 heavier.

BTW I've answered your Royal question today over at the Rest.

cara said...

I love the Ariel shot too. It's like a painting. I am wondering what a lite scoop might be...

Peter said...

very rich colours - a cheap hobby tyre-kicking - but think of poor Gerry Harvey when you buy online.

Julie said...

Poor Gerry Harvey .. I do not think so! Did you see the Forbes list that came out on Friday! Hah!

Besides, my last three online purchases were from Australian online entities. Kirsten's lite-scoop was from the USA.

A lite-scoop is like that think that Pierre showed us how to make from an empty iced-coffee plastic bottle. Here is the site
http://www.lightscoop.com/index.html

diane b said...

I've not heard that expression before but I do a lot of it. Nice shops in your area and I bet nice prices to match.

brattcat said...

I'll take one of each, thank you very much. No tyre kicker here.

zmkc said...

A warning from an ebay addict - don't let your online shopping get out of control. I could spend hours in the vintage section of ebay - here and in the UK (I get the stuff shipped to a daughter over there), persuading myself I need useless but beautifully made bargains. I don't.

Julie said...

Ah, what I do Zoe, is only go online when I need something. I don't go online to find something I might like.

Like at the moment I am looking for a walking frame for my father and need to know about design, etc. Whilst doing that, I found a 'handle' to attach to the wall of my shower recess which will help no end.