Men don't understand this (although I have to say that B makes an excellent shopping companion, which isn't quite the same thing. A young grandson asked me the other day, what was it with women and shopping? And I tried to explain:
"We'll, you start off just looking into shops, and then you buy something quite small (probably), and then you go and have coffee. Over coffee, you get our purchase out and admire it (your companion does the same. It's essential to have a companion). Then you go back to the first shop, just to make sure that top/milk jug/bath mat* isn't what you wanted in the first place, and you go to another shop and try something on (if you're lucky, you'll both fit into the same changing room). And then you go and have some lunch...."
Sadly, by the time we got to lunch, grandson had totally glazed over, and I gave up.
I did the shopping thing with my daughter yesterday. We've done it for her birthday ever since she was about 12, and she's now....well, not 12 any more (we did miss out the year she had just had triplets). And we bought the sunglasses I was going to give her, and I tried on some silly blue ones, and we both laughed a lot (if you're still with me, you're almost certainly a woman), and I bought fifteen pairs of knickers.
"I'm going to throw all my old ones away," I told the assistant. She was not at all amused, but I was very excited.
A lovely day. But I shan't be telling my grandson about it. He wouldn't understand.
*still thinking about bath mats ( see bath mat post).
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I must say RJ enjoys shopping as much as any woman, and I can testify that he is a man (and not gay). But overall, you are probably right about men not feeling quite the same about shopping as women.
ReplyDeleteShopping with my Mum and/or my sister is always much fun, although we do it far too rarely.
Your mentioning of 15 new pairs of knickers reminds me of the rather sorry state of some of mine. That is one drawer that really needs sorting out, and restocking.
I can't imagine your knicker drawer being anything other than pristine, Meike. Maybe I don't know you at all after all...?
DeleteFifteen pairs of knickers. Are you getting incontinent?One pair ought to last a week barring accidents.
ReplyDeleteIf it will help to save money, I go to John Lewis or M&S. I do the first half of my shower, washing hair and shaving with them on then kick them off. I then finish off the shower. When I've finished I take them and wring them out under the shower head....Perfect!
I have two the two days ago pair that have dried hanging up ready. I haven't purchased new ones for over a year. I still have three pairs brand new to go. After my purchase of a pack of five a year last January.
No incontinence, Adrian, I'm happy to say. Not sure i like your laundry regime, but each to his own. But I did go to John Lewis as we get discount!
DeleteFrances, cut it by half or a quarter. If you don't smell then nobody will know.
DeleteI must be the odd woman out, because I normally prefer to do my shopping alone, only visit a few shops at a time and then go home. When occasionally I meet up with someone for lunch etc that's usually separately from shopping. I suppose this might have something to do with being frequently in town on foot but not having a car. I can't buy more than I'm able to carry around with me!
ReplyDeleteSame here, Monica; I never go to town by car (not having one, of course, but also because I live a 10 minute walk from town centre), and never buy more than I can carry myself :-)
DeleteDT, you don't know what you're missing!
DeleteYes Frances, I do. I have tried shopping with friends who like to set aside whole days for it. I was never able to keep up with them - I used to give up half-ways!
DeleteRetail therapy requires a friend and a visit to a café. If I go alone, I can't make up my mind and if I drag my husband with me he either says the first thing I try on is great to leave more quickly or goes to the nearest café and meets me later.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to enjoy?
A friend and a cafe. You've hit the nail on the head,
DeleteI do that with socks, T shirts, and underwear; just chuck the whole bloody lot, and totally replace. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAs for (food) shopping; I DO IT. I make a list, and follow it to the letter. I am never swayed by fancy packets, or special offers (like some I could mention).
Yes. The chucking is great isn't it. Very invigorating.
DeleteI love a day of retail therapy with Himself. He comes in handy for carrying bags.
ReplyDeleteAh, but doesn't he mind all the hanging around?
DeleteI'm with you on shopping with daughter, and grown up grand-daughter comes along too, which is lovely. But if I have serious clothes shopping to do, I go alone. Then I can wander from shop to shop without having to take up their time on me.
ReplyDeleteSerious clothes shopping? What's that, Maggie?
DeleteI'm not big on shopping, unless I have a purpose, I feel aimless and tend to wander around not really sure where I want to be. My daughter and I occasionally shop together, usually before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMaria, you don'r know what you're missing!
DeleteI can identify completely with your shopping day, Frances - and that's a great idea to buy all the new kickers in one go!
ReplyDeleteOh good. I'm glad you agree, Rosemary.
DeleteMy wife didn't really like shopping. She used to lend me to friends who did. I still get 'borrowed' from time to time by friends whose husbands don't like shopping (and are only too grateful to have someone else stand in and admire - or otherwise - shoes/handbags/ whatevers). I'm very happy to drink as many coffees and bask in the sun of a pavement cafe or sit on the vast terrace of Glasgow's John Lewis. I used to spend my free time as a younger man taking car gearboxes to pieces and making cupboards and built-in furniture and landscaping gardens (I still do the last one) and other 'man' things but now I will browse the shops with the best of my female friends and enjoy (almost) every minute.
ReplyDeleteIf only you lived a bit nearer, GB. But you will insist on living in far flung lands...
DeleteIsn't that funny Frances. I rather think of England as a far flung land! I do pass through it sometimes though.
Delete