Shopping with Men

Shopping with men, the solution. The great advantage of being married for a long time is that at a certain point you got it all sorted out. Well, perhaps not everything but most of the problems new couples have to deal with are ironed out by the time you have to dye your hair and use "anti-wrinkle creme."

The males in this world are pretty easy-going, but when it comes to shopping they freak out. Zig-zagging from shop to shop is not a pass-time they like. Through my long marriage one thing stood out: my loyal spouse hates it. Well, I hate sports, standing on a wet rugby-field in the pouring rain with a hundred and fifty shouting people is not my thing. I have better things to do in life, like shopping. I was excused from watching sports a long time ago, being no fun company because I don't understand all the excitement, nor the rules.

That did not excuse my husband from going shopping with me however. Throughout the years he suffered watching me weaving in and out shops, browsing for the best bargain, only to end up, after hours of walking, in exactly the first shop again. The only part he truly enjoys during these (forced) outings is going to the lunchrooms. Only then he manages to produce a smile from ear to ear and loses the "I have to go to the dentist" face. His sky-rocketed blood pressure reduces to normal again, his health is restored. (not his wallet though). Beaming behind his cup of coffee and snack he finally forgives me for spending money.

So these days he still comes with me, but skips the shopping part and goes straight for the lunch-room. This way he's happy to wait for me behind his newspaper, coffee and snack handy and he leaves me to do the "serious" part. And there I go, diving into the "Sale now On" boxes, "Half Price" is also a good one. At the make-up counter I get a free make-over. I try on the latest fashion in shoes. I talk to other women.(this hardly happens when your husband is around.) I go from shop to shop, from department-store to shopping-mall. You see, my husband might not understand this, but I am getting information this way. And it is a feast for my senses. All those colors, all those interesting people. Most of the time it is about the experience, more than buying.

When I finally come back to my husband, there he still is. Apparently he has made a couple of new friends of his own in the time I was gone. The newspaper is completely forgotten on the table; the coffee is cold. He is chatting to another guy, also left behind by his wife or girlfriend. They are talking "men" business, like rugby or football, I don't know. But he's beaming from ear to ear, so He's happy. His experience was different from mine, but at least as good.

This well proved method makes shopping a pleasant experience for both of us. I also don't have a husband trailing me telling me that everything is so expensive and should I really buy this or that. I can recommend this method to anyone. This way we are very happy shoppers, without annoying each other.