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Christmas Eve in Glasgow

I love the whole tradition and merriment of Christmas. From the late night shopping on Christmas Eve at the world famous Glasgow Barras (outdoor market), to going for a run in the hills on Christmas morning, to the unwrapping the presents ceremony, to impersonating Keith Floyd in the kitchen, to the turkey, stuffing and Chocolate Gateau, to watching all my family have a good time.

For anyone who has never visited the Glasgow Barras it is a must for your "To Do" list the next time you visit the city. All the world gathers there to cop a good bargain. You can buy anything there from gramophone records to the latest CDs that have not even reached the shops yet: from old bicycle tyres to an antique Chinese tea set: from a piano to a rusty nail hook: from rare books to an engine for a BMW: from a seventeen century Italian clock that has somehow skipped 300 years, and was really made in Easterhouse two weeks ago. The Barras can supply almost anything, especially on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus is on every corner with bargains galore, and the sales techniques will bring a smile to even the frostiest face. There is no expensive Marketing campaign needed to get a sale here, just a loud voice and a bit of patter: you will not find what they say in the "MBA Guide to Selling" manual. Many a happy American tourist went back to the States with a rare old painting, not realising in the back shop some faker was churning them out ten a penny. You wouldn't buy a piece of fruit without giving it a squeeze first, and I would recommend for our overseas readers, if you ever go to the Barras, take a local native with you just to ensure YOU don't get squeezed.

Robert Harvey
Personal Life Coach

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