The closest place was 'Pets at Home' and Jon wasn't keen. "They wouldn't sell me one before," he said. "I was replacing a goldfish that I'd had for seven years and they didn't think I was a suitable owner." I laughed and said that we'd try again. He's over 40 and certainly doesn't need his father with him, but I was feeling protective!
We were soon in the shop and, as we approached the fish tanks, a woman came over and asked us what we wanted. The interrogation started. Her manner was abrupt. What size was his tank? (65 litres). Did he have air filters? (Yes). Which fish did he have? (goldfish). She wasn't at all friendly and asked every question accusingly; a barrier grew between her and Jon and I was surprised by her aggressive attitude. She was also concerned that there may be more than one type of goldfish in the tank. Finally, she begrudgingly said he could have one fish, and not the type he wanted. Ok, she may have thought she was protecting the welfare of the fish, but that was ridiculous. Online, the 'Pets at Home' website offers the ultimate pet-shop experience; they didn't envisage this, though, surely. We've come a long way since goldfish were given away at fairs, but this was extreme. After all, Jon has a lovely baby daughter and no one questioned him before he decided to have her! Can you imagine it? "You already have one, why do you want another one? Which sex is it? (A girl). You can only have the same as you have." On principle, he refused to buy, said he'd never return, and then suggested a third place.
This next shop had an abundance of attractive fish and Jon soon found what he wanted. We approached the counter where there was a woman with two young children in front of us. She was explaining to the assistant that she had three goldfish, but didn't want them and hoped to donate them to the shop. The assistant explained that he couldn't accept the fish, and Jon interrupted to say that he was wanting to buy some. Between the three of them, the woman offered the fish to Jon, he accepted, and the assistant kindly gave some bags to make transporting them home easier. What a different attitude! The fish will have a good, caring home. Where would you choose to shop next time, definitely not Pets at Home?