There was a time when I’d do my shopping after work on a weekday. The malls are quieter and there’s always something a little naughty about shopping on a weekday. A little like a forbidden fruit because week days are for work you know, not play.
These days, I hardly go to the malls anymore but last weekend on a bit of a whim, I decided to brave myself and hit the closest mall. When I managed to get parking almost immediately upon entering the car park, I knew it was going to be a good day. And it turned out it was!
I was there to find a pair of black heels for work, and I managed to within about half an hour of looking. You know what they say right? If you find what you are looking for within an hour of browsing, it’ll be a good shopping day. It was too.
But the thing was, I was shopping alone. That allowed me to take my time or breeze through irrelevant sections of the department store as I saw fit. At the end of a good shopping day which included that said pair of shoes (at half price yo!) and some new makeup and lots of lovely groceries (yes, grocery shopping makes me VERY happy – got a problem with that? 😛 ) I found myself strolling back to the car, pretty much laden down as in the pic above and thinking about whether it was more fun to shop alone or with friends or family.
What say you?
I like browsing and window shopping with friends or family. It’s fun to pick out clothes or shoes that we might not otherwise notice, or play with makeup colours and just have fun while at it. Sometimes, if I’m shopping for clothes I like having a second opinion, especially if I’m feeling on the fence about a particular item.
But when I want to do proper serious shopping, I prefer to shop alone. I don’t feel like I’m taking up anyone’s time nor do I feel like anyone is obliged to keep me company while I hmm and haw over choices and colours and design. I sometimes take a while to decide if I want something and in the case of shoes, I ended up walking through the shoe department 3 times before I spotted the shoe I eventually bought. If I shop alone and feel on the fence about a particular item, I usually don’t buy it. Learned this the hard way after some duds 😛
If I had been with someone, I may not have taken as much time to browse. If said friend is just tagging along they may feel bored or tired or just uninterested in general. I don’t blame them. If I’m on the receiving end, that’s exactly how I’d feel. I also find that when I go out shopping with people, I always end up not buying anything LOL
My sister tells me I’m horrible because when she’s out with me, she ends up doing all the shopping while I don’t buy anything 😀 But when I’m on my own with the intention to buy something, I usually find I’m better that way. I find what I want, buy it and leave. I don’t infringe on anyone’s time, I buy something I like (never mind that others may not) and I go where I want and see what I want without having people dragging their feet after me.
Do you prefer shopping alone or with friends or just with someone?
As I said, for actual proper shopping, I prefer to go at it alone. It’s more liberating. But if I’m browsing then I like doing so with friends or family. How about you? 😀
Paris B
I feel the exact same thing Paris. First of all, weekday shopping is great since malls are less crowded, and it just feels different, doesn’t it? Great to know you managed to find the pair who were looking for, I know how hard it is these days to find a decent black pair of shoes suitable for work. 🙂 And yes, grocery shopping makes me happy too! Retail therapy is still shopping whether you’re buying shoes, make up or veggies, lol 😀
I too prefer shopping alone, especially when I know I’m going to be looking for something specific, doing a tonne of browsing, walking, oohing and ahhing. Most times, shopping with the girlfriends means I’m the one offering suggestions and ideas, but never the one buying.
I think I make better buying decisions alone actually. I have gotten a few duds over the years whilst shopping with other people, hence I mostly shop alone to save myself the trouble of buying things I don’t need or like very much. Oh well, you learn through experiences!
Ugh, decent looking black shoes (that don’t look like stumpy clogs at the end of your feet) that are comfy and don’t cost an arm and a leg are almost IMPOSSIBLE to find these days! I actually like weekday shopping (mon-thurs only, Fri is a mess 😛 ) because it gives me time to browse and the SAs seem nicer too. Maybe because they want to score a sale, while they’re more frazzled on weekends? Like you, when with friends, I’m the “advisor” or sounding board so I’ve learned to just filter out my shopping time as my me-time. I get more done more quickly with less mistakes 🙂
Personally, if I decide to hit the local marks&spencers or morrisons for groceries, I actually prefer to do it with a few friends as it’s more..umm..fun? I guess? I mean, cause I already have a list of things I should get and won’t really go browse the whole place for new stuff, and we might all need to do grocery shopping as well, so I don’t feel like I’m taking someone’s time.
For clothes shopping, I usually go alone cause it gives me time to browse and think about it and everything but most time I have a dilemma on if I should get something but then, I feel like I’m taking someone else’s time and would always rush around and everything. Hence dilemma: w/ friends = opinion on stuff but rushing ; w/o friends = Leisurely walking around thinking but can’t decide on which clothing to get. Help!!!
But for skincare/cosmetics shopping I’d always go alone though.
LOL When I used to shop with friends for groceries, we’d always end up with lots of stuff we never planned to get 😛 But I do agree, it’s fun and I loved it when I was a student in the UK – grocery shopping there is so much fun! I like having a 2nd opinion on clothes sometimes, but in that situation, I’d put it on a KIV list and then come back with a friend who I trust with giving me opinions. That way, it’s a bit of a 2-in-1. I shop alone but if I want an opinion, I return with a friend 🙂
I feel the same way you do. If I wanted to get actual shopping done, I prefer going by myself, because I hate feeling as though I’ve taken up other people’s time since I’m very indecisive. However, my friends and I do like shopping as a form of hanging out — in those instances, it’s fun because I often don’t a purpose or a need, just browsing.
It’s funny how many of us feel this way Emy 😀 I’m not terribly indecisive but I do have an idea in my head of what I’m looking for so I tend to gloss over things that don’t interest me, but when with friends, they may be interested in looking at other stuff. When window shopping, it’s fine but not when I’m out there actively looking for something! 🙂
Love this topic! Before I went to uni, I never thought I’d enjoy shopping alone. I would only ever go shopping with my mum and whenever the opportunity came up to go shopping with friends, I jumped on the chance. However, things changed when I went to uni. I much preferred shopping alone. I didn’t have anyone commenting on my choices and more importantly, I didn’t have to wait for anyone. This is what I dislike about shopping with someone else. The waiting.
I always joke with Tim that he shops like a girl (go in the shop, take his own sweet time, peruse the items, slowly try things one, etc). Me, I’m a dash in, dash out sort of shopper. Which is why I prefer shopping alone because many a time, I really cannot stand the waiting. 😛
Having said that, I guess it also depends on the company I shop with. Very few, I’d enjoy waiting for. These are the people I’d love shopping with.
OMG I’m like you Tine! Haha I know what I want, I go in and get it and leave. I shop like a guy LOL! Sometimes I dither, if price makes me balk (like how I was in Oz) but otherwise, I’m in and out of shops quite quickly. Oh and I too learned to shop alone in Uni! It was good to get away from all the crowds sometimes 🙂
i prefer shopping alone too if i have something to buy, i can have the time of the world choosing what i really like without boring anyone else 😀 but window shopping is fun with friends!
Window shopping is best done with friends – that way we can make fun of things and have a good laugh 😉
I think I’m similar with you. With other people, family or friends, I prefer to window shopping with them or let them do their shopping. If I do buy something, it usually because when I get separated temporary LOL In weird way, I feel like I succeed in not get tempted to buy as much as my family or friends when I’m going out with them, haha.
I prefer to purchase something when I’m alone as I can spend as much time as I want (or rush as fast as I can :P); I don’t get too much influence from other people and end up buying things that I don’t want in first place; I don’t get criticized by others because I spend too much or buying things different than their tastes; I feel like in secret mission to do shopping when no one I know around me 😀 (yeah, a bit naughtier during weekdays as less crowd and I left office earlier to do shopping, haha).
But one thing that I always enjoy shopping with others is food shopping, hehe.
It’s funny how alike we all are Fathin! 😀 I enjoy food shopping whether alone or with someone. Usually, it’s more fun with others especially if you can make them carry the groceries LOL! 😀 I like doing serious shopping alone because you don’t feel like you have to justify your purchase to anyone. Sometimes, people can be nosy or offer opinions you don’t need 😛
Oooooh! I definitely prefer shopping alone for the very reasons you’ve mentioned. I’m pretty decisive on a general level so the argument for shopping with others to get their opinions don’t apply to me. Even if I go to the mall with my sister, we split up and go our separate ways until it is time to meet back up for errr…. refreshments to fortify ourselves for the next leg 😀
Window shopping is, as you’ve noted, a different topic altogether.
The worst person to shop with? The boyfriend. Utterly disastrous.
Haha these days, if I go shopping with family, it’s because someone wants to buy something. Quite often, the waiting around while people make up their mind really bugs me. Thank goodness I love them 😛
I prefer shopping alone but the only person that I can shop with is my Mum. We help each other pick out items to buy and give our verdicts on items that we try on. I’m really her stylist (especially for dresses to wear to wedding dinners etc)!
My boyfriend always has a bemused look when we do flit about stores like Zara but I’m always too busy worrying if he’s bored/tired by my shopping ritual, so I prefer to shop alone!
Aww it’s great to know shopping with your Mom is a fun experience 🙂 I shop with my Mom when she’s here and wants something in particular. Otherwise, we aren’t the shopping type but we love browsing 😀
I go alone. It’s too much work inviting people along and dealing with their hem-ming and haw-ing, when I could be out GTD (getting things done). I kind of already have a routine going, depending on the mall.
I also don’t understand couples at a mall when you could tell the guy is bored. It’s another story if the guy likes shopping about as much (or more) than you do, but that’s pretty rare 😛
When I go to a mall on weeknights, I only go after dinner at home so I have less than a couple of hours before the end of business hours.
When I venture further on weekends, it’s usually (okay, sometimes) to collect samples and not so much window shopping. I don’t expect friends and family to come with me and I’m fine with that because I meander way too much.
I like meandering through malls on my own. Other than not having to wait for others, you can just switch directions or spend more time in stores you like without people hanging around. I find I can never buy anything when someone is standing there with a pained expression on their faces. And yes, I think couples could do better than spend all their time in a mall. It’s never fun for both unless shopping is a hobby for both parties.
We r in tha same boat…Serious shopping.. Alone and window shopping… Friends n family… Similar!
It looks like so many of us are the same, the people flooding the mall on weekends must all be window shoppers! Haha!
Definitely shopping alone. And I always thought it’s cos I’m a loner like that. Haha but looking at the responses it seems a common choice.
I thought I was in the minority too Charlene! I mean when you go to the mall, it always seems to be full of people shopping in pairs or groups and then we have so many people telling us here that they prefer shopping alone haha! Maybe everyone at the mall are window shoppers 😛
I give my best performance with an entourage of me, myself and I.
I am happiest being both judge and jury of my own shopping (mis)adventures.
That’s why internet shopping rocks. I don’t even need a sales person.
Haha That was almost poetic Shopgirl 🙂 I love internet shopping too but for clothes, shoes and bags, I still prefer going to a physical store. Other than the instant gratification, there’s the joy of feeling textures as well although I still like going at that alone too 😀
I prefer shopping alone! Even when the mr. goes out with me,we usually just shop separately.it’s more hostile that way.lol! Anyway, shopping alone is 100% better than doing it with friends,maybe because we would end up buying the same item and that is def something i don’t want. I like purchasing and discovering new things!Call me selfish but i dont like copycats. My wardrobe consists of items that were bought on sale,a beautiful faux fur scarf from $90 to $10, prada sunglasses that are currently on neiman marcus for $500 and get this,i got them for $89!never spend more than $30 on a shirt,whenever i like something full priced,i stalk and buy them when they are on sale.Yes,going solo has gotten me with the most amazing choices. I dont get pressured and i always shop wisely!
Eeer, *i said hostile. What i meant was pleasant! Lol!
Hahaha I did wonder why it was more hostile shopping separately until I saw your rectification comment 😀 It sounds like you’re quite a talented bargain hunter and that’s awesome! I don’t see anything wrong with buying high end especially if you can grab a bargain and know how to shop for a bargain – hats off to you my dear, and yes, keep those secrets to yourself! 😉
Hi Paris B!
Thank you for your always-lovely blog!I love it!
I personally love to go shopping alone.
When I was younger..(20’s ) I will try the hardest to find the best+cheapest..errr means that I’ll enter all the shops and try everything on the shelves..and after a little break with coffe n some buns..I’ll make the decision of which one to be picked and packed home!! At that time I can go ashopping from 10 am till 10 pm without buying anything!
But now, I am 34 . More matured and I appreciate every seconds spent on shopping. So, based on exeperience of buying..I already have the list of brands for each of item that I use and wear , either for clothing, makeup, perfumes and even ligeries. For me, it is more time-saving and it will definitely reduce any wastage of money due the killing lust of shopping!
…last but not least, I shop a lot in my birthday month since I will get many pieces of cash vouchers and discounts, especially for perfumes and skincare.
My latest shopping was …A CANON E510 Printer from Setia Convention Centre.
Hi Fuzz 😀 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and you know, I think we’re all so similar! Maybe that’s why we “get along” hehe… I too used to be able to trek the malls all day but these days, I’m so much pickier now that I’ve worked out what I like and what doesn’t work for me. So, I just go to the same stores all the time (which makes me quite boring I know) but at least I can usually find what I want in there especially for clothes and shoes. Gosh, it’s so hard finding clothes that aren’t made for stick thin people who aren’t into out there fashion 😛 I love your last purchase! I’m a gadget geek myself and shopping for gadgets or electronics makes me very happy too haha 😀
For groceries, shop alone. I’m the main cook in the house so all recipe ideas are inside my head anyway. And I have a list, just to be sure I don’t need to make another unnecessary trip there.
For clothes/bags/shoes, I like to shop with my husband. He usually give good opinions (too honest, sometimes… HAHA) although I do defend my choices sometimes. In fact, we give each other opinions about these things. Before I got married though, I like to shop alone and surprise him with my choices (poor choices sometimes :p). But I love shopping with friends or family if I am not the one “looking for something to buy”. I am such a nosey person. I’ll pick things out for them to try and suggest ideas about accessories / pairing, occasions to wear it etc. 😀
For cosmetics / skin care, definitely alone (a lot of the times order online too, like secret shopping cart order… haha). My husband is a nightmare if he tags along. He would ask questions like “if I use serum alone it’s enough, right?”, “why do you need so many things on your face?”, “will this sunscreen sting my eyes?”. Face palm a thousand times. See what I mean? Gaaaah!!! I don’t know if this SPF stings your eyes because you’ve got to try it out yourself!!
And finally… if I want to choose perfume… man this is difficult. The top notes, base notes… whoever… HAS TO pass his highly sensitive nose otherwise I’ll be wasting my money for nothing.
Ah I love grocery shopping! I do confess that I have a basic list but I usually go home with a lot more other stuff that “accidentally” fall into my basket along the way haha! It’s great that your husband gives you good opinions on your shopping. It’s helpful as opposed to someone who’d just agree with whatever you pick and then look bored 😛 I’m sure he appreciates that you appreciate his comments 😀 When it comes to beauty stuff, I do my best shopping alone. But sometimes, I make silly decisions too, falling for hype and in times like that, I might appreciate someone telling me not to LOL!
I’m with you on every single point here, including grocery shopping,lol!!! But I also shop a lot online, which again is a solitary yet liberating experience, not to say majorly wallet-depleting! 😉
Haha yay for grocery shopping! 😀 Oh online shopping is the worst! And you’re right, it’s something that we’d do alone but I always overspend online because you just don’t notice the money “virtually” flying out your wallet!
i’m ok either way. i don’t mind shopping by myself but i love being with people. i only have close friends and family who wouldn’t mind waiting for me and vice versa. if i think i’m going to be a long time, i do warn them and tell them they’re free to go whenever. i don’t mind if i’m the one doing the waiting because we’re chatting and sharing in the mean time so i assume they feel the same way. after all, they agreed to come when they could have said no. shared shopping trips often nets expanded shopping horizons and brand knowledge. why deprive each other of that? except when i was introduced to a $600 face serum. i didn’t need that and luckily it wasn’t awesome enough to tempt me 😛
Haha that’s great that you treat shopping as a communal activity 🙂 I think many people do, as a way to hang out and be together and opinions of course help when doubt arises 🙂
I used to shop alone a lot when I was in my 20s. When I do accompany girlfriends to shop, I always end up buying nothing and they buying something. LOL. When I was courting my then husband and after marriage, I did appreciate having him around as he is a very patient man and gives very good opinions on the choices that I picked. But since I am very fickle minded and can walk the entire departmental store without buying anything, I decided it is best to shop alone and not torture my husband anymore. Hahahaha. My other bad habit is that I can buy something and then end up questioning myself on whether I made the right decision. It drives my husband up the wall but a trait that I cannot seem to get rid off 🙂
Aww you have a keeper there Victoria 🙂 Sometimes when I come across something I have doubts on while shopping on my own, I put it on a KIV list and then revisit with a friend who I can consult. Usually, it’ll be something of a bigger price tag that gives me pause but these days, I find the malls are all so similar, there isn’t much joy in window shopping anymore. So I shop like a guy – I know what I want, I go in, get it and leave LOL I do my browsing online instead 😛 Oh and second guessing a purchase is something I do all the time too! Again, especially if it’s a big ticket item, or if I buy something I’m on the fence about. Gosh, I’ve learned never to do that again coz odds are I really regret it anyway 😛
I like to shop alone mainly because my family and I, we are complete opposites. I’m into make-up, blogging, the rich & famous while my family are into sci-fi, poetry reading, sports, worn out jeans. I like designer brands, I make sure I know what kind of clothes are coming out on the runway of Fashion Week while my family hardly gives a damn. So, it’s usually quite awkward for me to browse through ZARA’s New Arrivals rack while they sit and browse through their phones. I don’t like shopping with my friends too because they would usually push me into impulse buys and I like to think really thoroughly before getting something even if it only costs RM20.
Haha aww with different interests definitely comes a need for solitary shopping or you’d drive each other up the wall! 😀 I get you re: impulse buys especially if I”m on the fence and the SA says it’s the last piece. 9 times out of 10, friends/company will tell you to buy because it’s the last piece but 9 times out of 10 I’d regret it 😛
Haha I’m the opposite! I like to browse on my own, but if I know what I want already, I don’t mind having a friend tag along. It takes so much time to finally find something I like, then I have to sit on it, so I almost never buy anything right there and then. I hate to bore my friends, so the tedious browsing part is a one-person activity for me. However, if I have made up my mind to pick something up, I’m fine having people around!
Isn’t it funny how we’re all different? 🙂 I find browsing to be a social activity while shopping to be a solitary one. In the sense that if I”m actively looking for something I prefer going at it alone, but if I’m just out there to walk and look around without anything in mind, then I don’t mind being with friends. But if I already know what I want to get then I don’t mind if I’m alone or with company because it doesn’t affect my decision either way 😀