I love surprises! When I get given a present, whether it’s for my birthday, or for Christmas or any other time at all i always wait until that special day to open it. I never have a quick feel or a peep or try to guess, I like to be surprised! When I am reading a book, or watching a film or watching a series on TV I don’t want a sneak preview, i don’t want someone to tell me – I don’t want to read the last page, or go to the end of a movie or TV programme to see what happens before I have read or watched or seen the whole thing. If it is something I might inadvertently get to know, by talking to someone, or reading something, or seeing a comment on Facebook, or on a blog… then I avoid whatever it is.
It is particularly annoying therefore, on TV programmes in particular where at the end they give a little preview of what is going to happen next week… I DON’T WANT TO KNOW! I try to switch off or mute the TV, but sometimes I’m not quick enough and a couple of words gives the game away. Sometimes just before the programme starts an announcer gives a little preview… ‘and tonight on (the programme I really want to watch) so-and-so discovers such-and-such… What? Do they? Really? No!!! Now I know what is going to happen!
A friend of mine who was a passionate supporter of West Ham Football Club had recorded a really important game because he was busy doing something else, wedding/funeral/party etc. He did everything he could to avoid knowing the result, and prefaced every conversation with a warning not to divulge the result. He went into his local shop for a packet of sugar which they had run out of and the bloke behind the counter greeted him: “Hi, Pete, I bet you’re over the moon!” Doh! he now knew that West Ham won! The surprise was lost! The excitement of the game spoiled!
Lois Elsden 