Driving along several interstates this past weekend, we passed multiple outlet malls. All had billboards miles in advance to alert travelers to the shopping opportunities ahead. At least one of the malls had movie theaters, bowling alleys, and other entertainment venues attached. We drove past each with barely a glance.
Most women I know love to shop. For some, it’s their drug of choice–a stress reliever. Not me. Nothing makes me want to crawl out of my skin quite so badly as going into a store–any store–to browse. If I don’t have a specific purchase in mind, I have no desire to go into a store. In fact, I balk like a mule every time my sister or a friend tries to interest me in recreational shopping. I just don’t get it.
To my mind, there are way more entertaining things to do–like, maybe, watch concrete harden. I’ve tried to explain this, but I get blank, sympathetic stares.
And another thing… If I’m driving along, minding my own business, and have no pressing need for say, a clever new set of cocktail napkins that say, “I’m a hybrid–I run on chocolate and wine,” or perhaps a new set of wine charms, or even a scented candle, why would I stop to browse a store filled with such things?
I’m sure the hypothetical store would smell nice and be filled with displays of artsy things pleasing to the eye. But here’s the thing. This store is filled with things that I don’t know I want as I drive by on the interstate. I am content in my car. But if I stop and go inside the store, once I’m over being cranky at having done so, I will see things I want. Things that are not currently in my budget. And then I will be unhappy if I do not purchase them.
It’s best I stay in the car.
Peace, out,
Susan
I couldn’t agree more. See you tonight. QOP
Errr… QOP, when I was driving along the interstate? I was leaving town… I’m in Birmingham this week. I’ll be doing my hotel workouts, though. 🙂
If you want to watch concrete harden, come over to our house. Word of warning – concrete takes approx. 100 years to finish hardening, so pack a lunch.
I HATE to shop, unless it’s in a bookstore or antique/junk shop. I’ll wander around in a cute little tourist town until I realize that I’m seeing the same things again and again–candles, kitschy things, crap-I-do-not-need. And malls? Boring. But I have to force myself past bookstores, new and used books. Usually don’t have the discipline, though.
Val, of course, bookstores are the exception. I could happily spend all day in a bookstore as long as it had a coffee shop for occasional nourishment. 🙂
I seldom go to Haywood Mall, except to eat bourbon chicken at Jambalya. What the mall needs is a decent weaponry store. Instead of dozing uncomfortably in one of those scarce chairs, spouses could check out the latest in armaments.
That’s a little scary, Bob. I’m not sure armed husbands in the mall would be a good thing…
You’re not so weird. I hate shopping too. The exception? Apple and any bookstore.
OK, so Bob, I used to work in the mall. One season of Christmas shoppers and you KNOW why weaponry and mall shopping are a really bad idea. BTW, working that one Christmas season made me learn to avoid the mall like poison ivy! Really hate going there.
Susan, although I don’t mind shopping if I need something, I don’t love it. I have little patience for window-shopping either. I’ll tolerate it for a short period of time, but that’s not how I want to spend my day either. Unless, of course it’s a bookstore. I can disappear in there for hours!
But, Susan, there could be a bookstore at that shopping venue! Wouldn’t that make the detour worthwhile?
Henry
Henry, You make an excellent point. 🙂