There are two types of shopping that I do. The first is what I call necessity shopping: the shopping I do twice a week to buy the food that we eat. I find doing this type of shopping alone is completed faster than if I am accompanied. I also tend to buy less as I do not have requests for certain foodstuffs!
The second type of shopping is the clothes shopping that I do; or the time I spend browsing in the environment of a beautiful shopping mall. This type of shopping definitely requires at least one companion.
The decision of whether to begin shopping on the upper or lower level can be made together.
You can stroll companionably down pathways with someone at your side, looking in the windows to help you decide which store to enter.
Look around and you will see many shoppers do have a companion as they walk from store to store. And if someone is alone, an electronic companion is not far from them.
Do you enjoy having a companion when you go shopping?
(This post was inspired by the folks at WordPress.com.)
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
Colline's Blog 
People who shop with me can’t seem to keep their sanity. I have no idea why. Maybe because I wait to buy the things I like until I’m quite certain I won’t like something else more, or find it for less somewhere else.
LikeLike
I know a few people who would be perfect shopping companions for you 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t like shopping much at all, I don’t like browsing very much, though I do do it from time to time, my companion has to be someone who likes coffee, and wants to stop and get some often.
LikeLike
That is the best part of shopping with a companion – taking a coffee break 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not much of a shopper, Colline, and would probably make a terrible companion shopper. I go into the store knowing what I want, buy it, and leave. That’s hardly fun for others. 🙂
LikeLike
I guess you would be one of those lone shoppers in a mall who walk by others with a clear focus. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t like shopping alone at all. It’s nice to have a companion along. Mine is usually hubby, and his voice of reason often prevents me from making rash purchases. 🙂
LikeLike
I agree, it is always good to have a second eye who sees things the way you do not see it. They are also helpful to help you when searching for something suitable 🙂
LikeLike
Shopping is more fun when shared with a friend or more. Great post!
LikeLike
I agree – we tend to make an outing of it 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t care much for shopping so when I do have to do it, I prefer to be on my own just so I can speed shop. There have been a few occasions, though, when it would have been nice to have someone along to help me pick out a dress (usually there was a wedding involved as that’s pretty much the only time I’ll wear a dress). My husband seems to think everything looks good on me. That’s sweet, but not helpful in terms of constructive criticism. 🙂
LikeLike
That is the time when asking a mother/sibling/or best friend to accompany you. And hopefully their eye would be more helpful. It is also, I find, a time to have some “girl” time 🙂
LikeLike
Nope – shopping companions slow me down. I take a lot less time to make a shopping decision than my wife once we are in the shop but she usually is the one who decides we should go shopping in the first place 😉 If I’m going on my own, I already know exactly what I’m going for before I leave home so there is not choosing time required normally when I get there 😉
LikeLike
That is definitely why I grocery shop alone! Unfortunately when I shop for my children I need to take them with me as they no longer accept happily what I have bought them to wear 🙂
LikeLike
Yes – I too have to take my Son with me if buying clothes 🙂
LikeLike
Important to do or else the clothes rest in the cupboards gathering dust! 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely pics, Colline…. luckily for me I hate shopping whether it is food or clothes, but I love gadgets 😀
LikeLike
I can see where you would spend most of your time then 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not a shopper at all. when I go to the store for food I usually bring the better half to carry the heavy stuff. We don’t have a car. All other types of shopping are avoided unless absolutely necessary. I like your photos and story.
LikeLike
I have invested in a shopping cart for grocery shopping – the best investment ever! I am able to fill it with many groceries and save my arms the pain of walking home carrying a heavy load.
LikeLike
Interesting answers from your readers, Colline. I was surprised to find so many others who also do not like to shop at all! I do miss those No Frills runs with companionship and great conversation on the way to, then shopping solo, then great conversation on the way back.
LikeLike
That is the best thing about having a shopping companion – having the chance to chit-chat child-free 🙂
LikeLike