My Dad comes from a proud line of the Master Butchers - with his shop and the house I'm born in reflected this near the verandah signage, boldly writing - 'GRAHAM'S MEAT PRODUCT - Quality at Decrease Prices'.
The shop was typical of its day - comes out front, a mosaic tiled selection beneath large glass flaunt window, with the same proud sign-writing regarding glass - and definitely, the obligatory small, set-back, step-up entrance for the 'customer front' of the phone store. This was a large space, to enable they'll to be perusing your window display, whilst others waited their turn to be served while you're watching neatly organised serving counter that divided your sales and working areas relating to the shop.
In Japan they " rake " coarse sand and fine pebbles to make symbolic shapes, patterns and designs to define their world utilizing most basic spirituality. Attached to South Australia, in your brand new 1950's, one Butcher's litttle lady raked the sawdust that covered the soil of your average, suburban Butcher's shop. The practicality of your sawdust was to take in any blood drips the meat. And it extended in the front of the suppliers, where the customers was standing, because my Dad stomach out to the front window confirm carry the chosen 'cuts' recommended to their counter for wrapping.
But my deepest pride comes from the perfectly even and artistic patterns I'm going to create, whilst walking other way around, so all designs had not been perfected. Diamonds, swirls, chequer-board - ALL variants were possible - only restricted to one's imagination. How come it never mattered than a first customer of waking time would ruin all a smallish girl's creation in lots of unthinking steps? I don't know - I just In the long term, that's all!
The wide counter defined the industry side and the 'business' area - those was memorable. Firstly, there were discussion about the various meats required, usually with my father establishing what the customer was planning for their dinner - and making recommendations on the cut and some of the cooking method as sensibly. Then the trusty scales played operator - wherein the burgers was placed on some greaseproof paper and checked resistant to the customer's wishes and interest in.
Next came the old silver check out - a thing of beauty looming huge in my business memory. All those series of press down links, and the magical turn up tabs in the 'window' at the top, showing the individual prices right after that cleverly calculating the complete price multiplied by the load. No message of what is available change was due - back then, all who served folks knew their 'sums' really well - and every Butcher scribbled the individual prices on the white wrapping paper with the trusty pencil tucked rear end his ear - and quickly totalled them - and the customer had a written record to your purchase, actually enfolding your prized meat.
The white wrapping paper came on a large roll, cut (by the apprentice or even Butcher's son/daughter into difference between the two tidy squares, and unneeded, ready for action, choosing greaseproof paper on virtually any roll, to lay down first for as well as total wrapping. The only other thing I'm going to picture on the counter will be an order book, where my father would take notes in existance future requirements. And maybe a daily turn-over calendar.
The buyer paid, and then came a grownup pull of the handle to own cash drawer of the most efficient register open (and the main to remember was the size and bulk AND weight to the current drawer when it 'sprung open'). One collision was usually corresponding to indelibly impress upon your mind the requirement to make a hasty sidestep or backstep to avoid contact.
What a treasure trove when this drawer were opened. Numerous compartments with curved bottoms for the front, to enable 'scooping out' associated with change. And wire spring clips to stay in down the various denomination notes - this type of whole arrangement was total lift out, with activities like cheques and discounted rates delivery dockets hidden what follows. And let us hold the trusty spike move the dockets onto.
These were written within a docket book by the person manning the cash signup, as a record for my dad to reconcile the monetary takings of the company's 'till' (or cash register). Attached to quieter times, my Dad bought and sold these matters, but from where the busier days happened (like Fridays), then my Mum persisted, taking the money and doling out change and conversation with all the locals.
And so this was used the 'sales' side of the very shop - backyard of the counter was the 'working' side, where the Butcher plied your partner's trade.
(c) 2011 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved
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