Am I the only one who avoids Malls during the Holidays?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218846)
Walnut Creek, California
December 8, 2015 10:55am CST
The thought of "going to the Mall" right now mortifies me. The first thing that comes to mind is store after store with Christmas decorations, ostensibly honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, but really designed to bring consumers into their stores so they can make big profits.
The second thing that comes to mind is throngs of consumers, out to impress others with their gifts, or showing others what material objects they want.
There's actually psychology research out there that shows that women like "random shopping" more than men. Their blood pressure goes down, and they feel relaxed. Men's blood pressure goes up, and they feel anxious.
I'm male, so I like to go to Home Depot, get the sand paper and stain I need, and get out of there. My disdain for Malls and large numbers of consumers increases during the Holidays. Am I the only one?
Note: The photo is of a herd of goats released near Sun Vally Mall for fire abatement. I couldn't find a photo (from my own collection) of large numbers of sheep.
48 people like this
57 responses
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
8 Dec 15
I've become a devotee of online shopping. I can just sit at my keyboard rather than going out in the cold and walking from store to store.
9 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
8 Dec 15
@nanette64 This cell phone busyness happens in cars and on the streets, and wherever it is there should be a law against it. There is a law about cell phone conversations in cars but no one takes any notice.
When people are intent on doing their own thing then anyone else is going to get in the way. Sales are best avoided too.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Dec 15
@nanette64 Too true Nanette. It's bad enough at normal times, but when it's christmas - malls are definitely places to keep out of.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Dec 15
And have you noticed how rude people can be @jaboUK ? They'll have their shopping cart in the middle of the aisle and won't move it even when they see you trying to get by. Or they're so busy on their cell phone that they're oblivious to anything.
5 people like this
@celticeagle (166976)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Dec 15
I used to enjoy going to the Mall here during the holidays. It was always so pretty and festive. I had a certain ritual and after that I would leave. Certain stores I visited and then left. I can't do that anymore. My social anxiety is too bad. I have no reason to go anymore. Anything there that I feel I need I can buy online and have shipped to my door.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
8 Dec 15
That is a practical solution that makes life easier for you. I have never tried it myself but the day will come....
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218846)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
I do most of my shopping on-line as well. That includes these pants I use for teaching (I'm wearing a pair now), orange oil for my speaker restoration work, guitar strings, etc. Jeans and t-shirts I still get at Target, and some wood working supplies I still get at Home Depot.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
8 Dec 15
@UmiNoor Not all women like window shopping and I do not go to the shops unless I need to buy some specific items. I suppose that I do not like the ambience or else I just do not have the time.
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Dec 15
I avoid shopping at all costs @TheHorse . I get in and I get out. I have my list and that's it; I don't piddle-fart around. As a woman, I guess that's kinda strange, but then, I'm one of a kind.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218846)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
@nanette64 I would drive her to the mall, go to Home Depot to get my supplies, watch a football game or something on TV at home, and then go back and pick her up.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Dec 15
@TheHorse That could be it. Now if only I could teach my sister the same thing. She will spend 3 hours just getting groceries; and she lives by herself for crying out loud. And you don't ever want to go clothes shopping with her. Geez; that's an all-day event.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
9 Dec 15
I am not a mall rat. i have done a lot of my shopping online. Hubby laughs at me and says that I have to have my sawdust fix and I tend need to go to Home Depot and Lowes on a regular basis. Being in an unfamiliar store, even just a regular store at a new location givess me a lot of anxiety.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
9 Dec 15
I don't like malls very much anytime of the year. I am a woman but I find shopping to be quite stressful. I can never find what I'm looking for, today's fashions are ridiculous, things aren't made for my body type, stores are too crowded and the music is too loud! Unless I'm shopping for my kids... I love shopping for my kids. I'm not always good at picking out things they'll like, but I do love shopping for them.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
9 Dec 15
I try to avoid malls at peak crowding times though I have to go to one today as I have to collect new glasses from the opticians branch in one
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
9 Dec 15
@TheHorse oh yes, I'll go right to the store I need to visit and out again without being distracted by bright shiny things in window displays round me
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
8 Dec 15
i think that's why the men's department is at the first floor while the women's and children's 2nd and 3rd. at least here it is.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
9 Dec 15
@TheHorse i wonder if they even use the fitting rooms to try on the clothes.
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
9 Dec 15
Dang, I knew there was something wrong with me, I'm a man at heart! 
. I hate holiday shopping at malls. I avoid it like the plague. I'd rather be making tiny Christmas trees. 
. I hate holiday shopping at malls. I avoid it like the plague. I'd rather be making tiny Christmas trees. 2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Dec 15
My husband and I are the opposite of most couples. He likes shopping and he takes forever at any store he goes to. I don't like shopping at all and I'm in and out really fast when I do have to go. I especially hate walking around a store just to "look" and my husband loves doing that!
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Dec 15
@TheHorse Every and any store he goes to he loves to look around. It can be Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, a thrift store, etc. Literally, any store! It drives me insane.
@smileyhema (4606)
• United States
9 Dec 15
Hey buddy,
IMO, I feel "MALL WORLD" experience itself just brings temporary happiness in people. We dress fake, we walk fake, we talk fake. We feel over excited.
One good thing about this kind of shopping is we're exposed to different varieties of stuffs that are sold in these shops. But, even in this case, it would really embarrass us if we want to explore multiple stuffs without having intentions to buy it. The store keepers would curse us like hell. 
Festival shopping is one bit on the higher end of this fake-ness. Owners mark discounts by adjusting the actual rate of the product. Inspite of knowing this, we fall there as a prey. This is unavoidable. This is one another life experience.
Online shopping on the other hand is far better than this. Exploring through these items is made easy.
Festival shopping is one bit on the higher end of this fake-ness. Owners mark discounts by adjusting the actual rate of the product. Inspite of knowing this, we fall there as a prey. This is unavoidable. This is one another life experience.
Online shopping on the other hand is far better than this. Exploring through these items is made easy.1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
8 Dec 15
Since there are no malls within well over an hour form us, I can honestly say it's been years since I shopped at a mall at Christmas.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
9 Dec 15
@TheHorse I live int he boonies so I avoid most groups of people!
@Morethanamom (1948)
• Canada
8 Dec 15
I tend to avoid them as well, but I get terribly stressed in crowds of people. I even try to schedule my grocery shopping for times that the stores are quieter.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
8 Dec 15
I do my shopping in a supermarket once a week. I choose midday on Thursdays because that is when there are few people around. It takes me a long time to unpack my trolley and fill my bags afterwards. It is rare for anyone to help, but when they do I appreciate it.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218846)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad I do go to Trader Joe's for my groceries at random times.
