In our coastal town as Christmas approaches, droves of holiday-makers join the locals to crowd together at the shopping mall. Sometimes I have to go to the mall as well, but in December it tests my patience. Already, in the carpark, I had to ignore the jingle playing over the outdoor speakers: a crooner warbling McCartney’s mawkish “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time”. At the biggest department store’s entry, I asked the young woman shop-assistant checking bags, “Do you have nativity scenes?” Her eye-shadow was an alarming purple. Her lipstick was black. She seemed friendly and helpful. “Hum, maybe in…