Shopping hours gone shopping

Mar 02, 2026 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists

(Kaieteur News) – Dem boys seh is time fuh we have a serious talk about something that keeping this country in confusion — shop hours.

Once upon a time, when cock crow three time and de sun peep over Stabroek Market, shop open. And when night fall and de street light start flicker like it shame fuh burn, shop close. Simple. Orderly. Civilised.

Now? Is like every shop owner got dem own timezone. One open 7 in de morning. Next one open 9 — if de owner wake up in a good mood. Some close 5 sharp like dem fright thief. Others open till 9 pm because dem decide dem is mini-mall. And don’t talk about Sunday. Sunday hours got more mystery than budget figures.

Dem boys seh we need to go back to fixed opening and closing hours. Except fuh de malls. Leh dem operate special. Dem build fuh that. Dem got security, parking, bright light and air condition that does make you forget you still in Guyana. But de small corner shop don’t need to be competing with de malls.

First argument — workers sanity. When shop hours floating like dollar rate, staff can’t plan dem life. One day you close 5. Next day boss say “we stretching till 8, business slow.” Slow fuh who? De only thing moving at 8 pm is mosquito.

Second argument — security. If everybody close round de same time, de place got rhythm. Police know when activity normal and when it suspicious. Right now, if you see light on 10:30 pm, you can’t tell if is business or burglary. Even de thief confused.

Third argument — discipline. A country need routine. When hours firm, people adjust. Customers learn fuh plan. Instead now we behaving like we allergic to structure. Is like we running a pop-up nation.

Dem boys seh some shop owner does boast, “We open late fuh convenience.” Convenience fuh who? De same five fellas buying one phone card and asking fuh credit till month end?

Set de hours. Post dem clear. Enforce dem steady. Except fuh de malls — leh dem glow like Vegas.

Because right now, Guyana retail hours looking like free-style dance. And not everybody know de steps.

Talk half. Leff half.

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Dem Boys Seh, shopping, Shopping hours, Stabroek Market

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