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Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Shopping Trip

I really resent the implication that all women like to shop. Or that ONLY women like to shop. I don't think that's true.

Or maybe I'm missing some genetic code. Shopping to me is an oaccasional diversion, maybe once or twice a year I engage in "shopping" for the sake of shopping. Sort of like watching mindless television when I'm stressed and want the world to go away. I'll go down to Garden Ridge (Thanks Cindy for introducing me to the cornicopia of shopping.) or to Home Depot (must have inherited a dad gene there because I LOVE the smell of cut freshly cut lumber.)

Usually, I go shopping with a purpose. I don't go to the mall very often.
When I do go to the mall, I park near the store that I need to go to. I go into that store and I leave. Only occasionally and usually with an escort do I wonder aimlessly in the mall going from store to store --well, except those "way too trendy for me" stores like Abercrombie.

I don't think too many of my women friends like shopping for the sake of shopping. We just don't have the time. So what do you guys think? Do women shop more than men, and do we like it or is it a necessity? I mean, after all, if I quit going to the grocery store I think we'd starve to death.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am the total stereotype. I can shop for hours and hours and hours and not buy a damn thing. I love shopping. I will probably take a trip to the mall here in the next week or two after Gridiron just to take a break.
shopping, shopping, shopping....
C.

DebbieDoesLife said...

I like to shop when I am looking for something. My husband likes to shop with me sometimes.

I used to spend wayyyy too much time at Quail Springs Mall!! Even where I live now (450 miles away!) I still get "my" mall mixed up with Quail Springs!!

Redneck Diva said...

I used to like shopping before I had children and no money. Now that a day at the mall involves dragging three children and then actually having to weigh need over want...it's just as much fun anymore.

Babs said...

Oooo, books and art supplies! Now that is some good shopping!

Shopping for clothes and such can be great fun as long as there is a lot of time and a wad of bills. Otherwise, shopping is a chore.

Gina said...

My perspective on shopping really shifted after moving out here. Before, I lived in places where malls were the only game in town, and I didn't like going to malls. So I tried to do all my clothes shopping in one or two trips per year to get it over with. It just wasn't fun.

Out here, though, malls are very easy to avoid. I can't remember the last time I was in a mall! Instead, I can walk up and down a few blocks in a neighborhood. It's fun! Also, there's virtually no temptation to buy unnecessary stuff. I never think, "I drove all the way to the mall; I should buy something." So I actually spend less money and time, and I get more out of the experience. I used to tolerate shopping. Now I truly enjoy shopping.

That said, I don't shop for the sake of shopping. I see it as more of a necessity than a form of entertainment, and I usually have something in mind when I go. I'm with C.; I also resent the implications that all women like to shop, or that women are the only ones who like to shop. Those are among the cutesy, sadly outdated generalizations about women that make my skin crawl. But that's a blog entry for another day. :)

Nancy Pants said...

I don't like to shop... guess I'm missing the genetic "girl" thing too! Every now and then is fine... but not for any extended period of time and I don't like to spend a lot!! However, I don't mind grocery shopping!

Knittin' Kitten said...

I suppose it depends on my mood, my time commitments and what I need. Most of the time I don't like shopping.

Let's face it kids, I ZERO patience for other people, particularly when they get in way. Hence, malls are really not a good option for me. Spending an afternoon shopping with a friend is okay, because it gives a chance to talk and catch up.

Trying on clothes by yourself sucks. (And I'll try to post a rant about Old Navy and they're stupid unisex fitting room on my blog later.)

The husband doesn't mind shopping. Occaisonally, he'll say, I need XXXX, let's go look for that. Which is nice, because then I don't have to schlep out by myself and get it.

As for groceries, if I didn't shop, we wouldn't starve. We'd just be malnurished and poor, because B. tends to pick up the high-dollar snack-like items.

Scott said...

As Dave Chappelle said in "The Nutty Professor":

WOMEN BE SHOPPIN!
YOU CANNOT STOP A WOMAN FROM SHOPPIN!

(*giggle*)

Carmel said...

Thanks for all your comments. I think the majority conclusion -- is that women shop out of necessity.
And, no Dave Chappelle and Scott, it's not because it's in our genes.

:)