I am not a compulssive shopper. Big malls haven’t succeeded in tempting me with the tricks up their sleeves. I go around, enjoy window shopping to my heart’s content and do some real shopping for something essential. I try my very best to stick to the list of things to be bought.
If I buy something that I don’t want, I get a feeling I have wasted money on something that’s not worth. I prefer blowing up money on something I enjoy. Now what they are, can be the subject of another post.
I know, not all are like me. For some, shopping is a habit; for some others, it’s even an addiction. What I haven’t been able to make sense of is that for some it’s even a stress buster. Some people when they are depressed walk straight into a department store, lose themselves amongst cookies, chocolate bars and junk food, besides consumer durables.
One of the popular stereotyped — and possibly sexist — characterisation is that a number of women use shopping as a stress buster. In fact, a survey in Malaysia did indicate that “nearly 75 percent of women in Malaysia believe in retail therapy, saying shopping was therapeutic and a stress-reliever”. (Source – Malaysia Sun).
Women go on shopping spree
Closer home, my friend was witness to something that seemed to confirm this theory. Recently, employees of his office got an official letter around 11 am informing them of a rollback in their salaries as a countermeasure to the economic slowdown. Needless to say, the mood in the office sank. There were no smiles, grim faces all around; hushed conversations as to how EMIs will be paid, and how many plans will have to be put on hold.
After the lunch break that day, my friend noticed a number of women employees walking in with bags of buys; evidently they all had gone shopping at the nearby department store. He couldn’t believe it. “When our pay is cut, you all go shopping!.. only you women can do this..!!”
Apparently one woman confirmed to my friend that shopping indeed was a stress buster for her. She feels good buying off things that she fancies. Another woman said, “This is the last occasion I can buy something going by what I am going to get from next month onwards.”
It’s too much of a coincidence for so many women to go shopping simultaneously when the mood was grim. My friend is convinced: “Shopping is indeed a stress buster for women.”
It certainly would seem so 🙂 Atleast from the examples that you have cited 🙂 Shopping certainly relaxes me – but windowshopping is enough for me – I normally buy only when I absoltuly need something – but nothing makes me happier than window shopping 🙂
On the shopaholic theme, have you read the Shopahollic series by Sophie Kinsella – certainly a fun read ! Apparently there is a movie in the works too – based on her books!
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@ Smitha:
No I haven’t read that. Will try to get hold of it.
Men taking to alcohol to celebrate both joy and sorrow is an universally accepted phenomenon. Then why this surprise if women go shopping in the time of stress? And while men do it just for a momentary pleasure for them, most women will be doing the shopping for their kids.
Wow! Nice new look, Pradeep. I am late as usual. 🙂 Sorry!
Yes studies do say that and I guess something is wrong with me because to relieve stress I hit the bed early.
well, i’ve seen my cousins doing that–spending their evenings shopping to “relieve stress,”. I’ve seen friends doing it too–wasting all their pocket money on just one single peice of cloth!! But I guess there does exist an endangered species which does not believe in shopping to relieve stress…spending too much both excites and frightens me!! 😀 Some ppl are like that also. So i guess, there does exist a very small number of people who belong to my group.
@ Yamini:
A new angle. I didn’t think of it. Probably better than blowing up money on booze.
@Indrani:
But u manage to get sleep? Great! Bec for many sleep is the first casualty.
@ Lakshmi:
I belong to ur group, and ours — may be small one — but not an endangered one.
Sleep is never a problem, i need silence that’s all, not possible in chaos definitely.
And what does the endangered species do? if not shopping, sleeping or boozing?
Pradeep, I am one of those to whom shopping is itself a stress.
Yeah, it seems so.
But yes, let me tell u, it does help. Just the way coffee helps you.
However, I am a bit hatke from that tribe. Window shopping does that stress busting thing to me.
I think that it is a very interesting and amusing article. Practically all its main points are true.
I am a woman and I hate shopping!!!! I hate everything about it! It is so STRESSFUL! It drives me crazy!!!!! Waiting in line, maneuvering through people, telling the dressing room people how many items you have, staring at yourself in a mirror for hours upon hours!!! These pants are too small! This shirt is too loose! This jacket is huge! These shoes are are itchy! Nothing ever works!!!! I hate SHOPPING!!!!!
[…] Shopping: a stress buster for women? March 200912 comments 5 […]
Bull shit. Both males and females turn to alcohol to relieve stress and drugs as well. Don’t be fools, both genders are stupid.