IT’S summer and that means beach time. Yay. Here’s how to look as if you do like to be beside the seaside, even though it’s rubbish most of the time.
Feign excitement about sand
Sand is shit. It’s uncomfortable, it sticks to everything and will be on the floor of your car for months to come. Nonetheless, grit your teeth and make a sandcastle, or dig a pathetic little hole. That will do.
Force yourself into the sea
This is what you’re here for: the vast, grey, freezing sea. Paddle! Splash! Try not to think about the terrifying shit that could be lurking in there! Or, if you’re in Blackpool, the actual shit that’s lurking in there.
Stick it out for 20 minutes then rush back ashore, thankful you’ve not been eaten by Jaws.
Try to ignore the existential dread of the ocean
The waves go on forever, beyond the horizon, while you are tiny and insignificant. The water reaches unimaginable depths and connects everything on the planet, but you are just one human of no consequence to nature’s unstoppable dance…
When you feel like this it’s probably time to get some chips.
Submit to the seagulls
When you get those chips, however, some fucking seagull is going to try an aerial mugging. Let it happen. Accept you’ll never win, against a seagull or in life. Hey, maybe the beach really is chilling you out.
Accept the arcade is inevitable
How much would you normally spend on a pencil case? £2? £4 at a push, maybe? Today you’re going to spend £45 on one thanks to rigged amusement arcade games that give out tokens.
Accept it and prepare to empty your wallet. Or cut your losses and just spend £30 getting nowhere on Galaxians.
Bypass the pebble beaches
Shingle can fuck off.