does shopping make you feel good?

July 18th, 2007

You hear all kinds of things about what shopping means to people. That it's comforting, therapeutic, liberating, exciting, or just plainly makes you feel good. While some of the epithets may be true, I cannot agree with the last one.

Of course, there are different "kinds" of shopping. But I mean the very special kind, the kind of thing where you go out and buy something you've wanted for a long time, or needed for a long time. It's supposed to be a relief and delight to get it. That kind of shopping.

Well, getting the item does feel good. But shopping for it doesn't. I can't stand that conversation with the salesman. My focus is that I want to make the best possible deal, I'm trying to concentrate hard to cover all the angles and foresee every possible scenario that may occur with the product. But that doesn't mean I know what to say. I think of one thing to ask, then another, then I draw a blank. I stand there for a while listening, hoping the guy has more stuff to say, anticipating another question to ask. Quite often, the guy wasn't really drawn into the conversation either (which I'm not very good at), so he answers my question and then he's waiting for me to pick up the thread again. Which I struggle with. It's really quite a stupid situation. I don't enjoy it in the least.

So that's one thing, conferring with the salesman. Then there's actually buying stuff. I just don't feel good about that either. I always feel guilty for spending the money. And the more it costs the more guilty I feel about it. As if anyone at the store would care enough to judge me for it, but it does make me feel uncomfortable.

Buying stuff online is actually a nice change. I don't have to talk to anyone. :)

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3 Responses to "does shopping make you feel good?"

  1. erik says:

    Seconded, all of it.

    Even if you won't believe me :D

  2. numerodix says:

    You bet your ass I don't. :D

  3. Boyo says:

    Why talk to the salesman at all? Whatever he's going to say is merely aimed to talk you into buying. I don't trust salesman to tell the truth either. I look for information on consumer review sites and make my decision based on that. The main reason for me to go to a store is to physically see and touch the product. Then when I have decided what I want, I buy it online.

    The only problem with online shopping is when you need to return something. That's a bit of a fuss. Still, it's better than going back to the store and engaging in an annoying conversation with a teenage temp who sits under a huge 'customer service' sign, but who doesn't have the slightest idea what the concept means.