A cause for embarrassment

My children love those crappy little rides that can be found in the entrance vestibules of supermarkets and at service stations and amusement arcades. They could quite happily spend an afternoon (and a small fortune) experiencing the thrills of Thomas the Tank Engine’s slow jerky movements whilst pressing the flashing buttons that make an assortment of hoots and beeps.

They never tire of them and could tell you what kind of rides are in each establishment that we visit regularly. For example at Ikea there is a hot dog van, for one silver coin (50p) they can get one ride or for one golden coin (£1) they can get 3 rides. Even at a young age they've worked out which is best value for money. We have to ensure that we always have pockets full of change just in case we should chance upon a ride whilst on our travels.

In some instances these machines are a god send. They can occupy even the most fractious child in a busy shopping centre whilst their dad is in a long queue at the mobile phone shop. And they are also a welcome but expensive distraction in airport lounges. But if I’d saved a pound for every one that has gone in one of those machines I’d have enough money to spend a fortnight in the Maldives.

My children have grown up thinking that if you put a pound in a slot then something will happen. This became evident at the weekend when we were doing some shopping in Asda. I was packing the bags at checkout when I turned around to see both my children riding the guide dogs for the blind collection box. They called over for some money to get the 'ride' started. I think they thought the plastic, life size Golden Labrador was going to get up, bark and give them a piggy back up the soft drinks aisle. I'm all for giving money to a good cause although this was more cause for embarrassment.