– It’s expensive. Let’s not kid ourselves, says Mrs. Izabela from Krakow. He is 63 years old and works in a local convenience store. She adds that of course she did not discover America with this statement, but it accompanies her every day – because standing behind the counter, accepting payments, giving change is her daily bread. We already talked in 2022, as you can read about in the text below:
She said that seniors most often come to her shop. And it is their example that best shows the damage caused by inflation and skyrocketing prices. We know this from the Poverty Report recently published by “Szlachetna Paczka” – 300,000 Polish seniors live in extreme poverty.
That’s what Mrs. Iza said two years ago. Today he believes that the situation has not changed. Unless it’s for the worse. Those who come to her are not starving, but there is no question of ill-considered purchases. The amount is precisely deducted for each individual product. However, the problem is much deeper, which activists and social activists have been warning about since last year. There are more and more younger people who, in the current situation, can barely make ends meet. They also come to Mrs. Izabela’s store, although only occasionally. Generally, there is a whole cross-section of society: seniors, kids, teenagers, students, 30- and 40-year-olds.
Millennials are not spared from high prices. “He looks at it and wonders. Should I take a smaller or larger package?”
The latter, for example, buy sweets for children when returning from work. They usually pay by card. – You can see that they choose these sweets carefully. I see that such a person is looking at the price, wondering – should I take a smaller or larger bag of these chips? Or sometimes they send children, with money deducted. I see that it has been deducted and if it turns out that it costs more, I give up and don’t come again – he says. Although so far she has observed this meticulousness mainly among older customers, the millennial generation also has similar dilemmas. However, in her opinion, it is still seniors who suffer the most from inflation.
Sometimes they wonder: should I get a smaller or larger whetstone? And half a liter or a liter of milk? Or vegetables, fruit – they usually take smaller ones so that they cost less. In addition, suppliers are also feeling the increase in prices. He buys less goods and calculates carefully: what will be sold for sure and what will only be left behind. Such a vicious circle. Rents have gone up, prices have gone up. All
He often talks to his clients. Those who work full-time, have, say, a partner and one child, live under stress. – He’s not sure he won’t lose his job. She tells me: “Listen, I’m working. But I don’t know what it will be like in a moment,” Mrs. Izabela gives an example.
No generation is spared the price. “I see it’s hard for young people too”
– Sometimes young people, around thirty, will also come to us. Mainly how they throw a party. We don’t serve alcohol here, so they tend to stock up on food and drinks quickly. And they save money, I really see it at every step. I’ll take a smaller bag of chips and a smaller bag of Coke. It seems like such nonsense, but you can observe a lot – says our interlocutor.
Another thing – cigarettes. We actually have cigarettes here. Mainly younger people smoke. And they also tell me that now they buy less and smoke less because they have to save money. It’s good for their health. But I see that it’s hard for young people too. These are my everyday experiences – because I’m here every day and I see them calculating whether they can add a sweet roll or not. Its very sad. I say, I’m not a hero. This is just my everyday life
– he confesses. – Even though they didn’t think about it before, now they even eat smaller bread. Or they buy 10 deco meats, not 30 – so that they have enough. You can see it, and it’s very sad – he adds.
My friend rides the bus whenever she can. To save on gasoline
In addition, he also hears various conversations and concerns expressed aloud – “Do I need this fourth blouse? I’ll save up and wait.” He has a friend who works in a store in a shopping mall. There you can also see that money is no longer spent lightly. – Young people, around 30, only try things on and analyze things carefully. Most often they don’t take anything and just leave. And when they do buy, they make very well-thought-out decisions. However, it is still most visible among older people who wonder, for example, whether they can afford a new pair of shoes.
According to the saleswoman, the price does not spare anyone – “from young people to the elderly”. – Everyone sees this money today. Everyone only thinks about saving money. I have a younger friend who says that now whenever she can, she takes the bus to save on gas. She had never done this before, notes Mrs. Izabela. As she admits, her situation is worst when it comes to household chemicals and cosmetics. This is usually the biggest burden on the wallet, and a regular one at that. – I used to take it: “this, this, this and this.” Today I think: when I run out, I’ll buy some more.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
