Psst, wanna buy a laptop?

As I was leaving the supermarket earlier today, a stranger approached me. My hackles immediately rose up, since unless you're either a tourist or a beggar approaching people in the street just isn't the done thing in London. And the gentleman (to put a euphemistic spin on it) appeared to be neither. So I was prepared for the worst when he stopped in front of me, looked me in the eye and asked, "Hey, wanna buy a Sony Vaio laptop?"

I just shook my head, looked both relieved and a little bemused and continued my way homeward. Of course had I any presence of mind, I would have recalled my previous experience with Sony Vaios (or more to the point, Sony's atrocious support - Belgium! They sent me the wrong laptop and sent mine to someone in Belgium!) and enquired about the support policy he offered. On the other hand, I dread to think what sort of answer I would have received.

Nevertheless, I feel that after nearly six and half years in London, I've finally completed some form of ritual initialisation by being offered dodgy goods by a stranger off the street.