A Natural Cement

Speaking of advertising, which I think we were at some point, I have noticed a couple of bizarre examples lately. Firstly there's that one I keep seeing on bus stops, for yet another subgenre of Elvive, which asks: "Has your hair lost strength, a natural cement?" I don't know about the rest of you but cement is not a word I wish to associate with my hair. I mean, I know what cement means in a more general sense, but even so. I think they had it a little bit closer with the "Satin shine, cashmere touch" slogan. "Cement shine, concrete touch": no. (As it happens I once was idly reading the back of a different version of Elvive and noticed that it contained extract of potato, which they were on that occasion sensible enough not to flag up of the front. Hardly orange blossom and jojoba is it?)

I think I will have to put the use of "cement" down to poor translation out of whatever language Elvive originates in. (French? Spanish? American?) However, there is no excuse for the habit my local Costcutter have got into of photocopying articles about how expensive food is getting and sticking them up in their window. I'm not sure what they are trying to say with this. "Food is expensive, but not here, shop here"? I doubt it, because the prices in Costcutter have been heading swiftly upwards of late. "Food is expensive, including here, but it's not just us" is more likely. But the overrall effect is to say "If you come in here you're going to spend a fortune. Best not. But if you absolutely must, buy as little and as cheaply as possible." Which I am not sure is the best business tactic I have ever come across.

Since we are definitely speaking of advertising, a quick one of my own. I've got a couple of readings coming up: on Tuesday, I'm going to be in Port Talbot, at the Taibach library from 6.30pm. And then on Thursday I will be in Luton, at the Wigmore library, at 7.30pm. Hope to see some of you there.

(And PS: the competition to win a signed copy of GBB is still open until tomorrow.)