Retail Therapy

I speak for most men when I say shopping is a chore. Beyond the routine run to the grocery store — which I do under protest — shopping is exhausting, with a maze of choices that make little sense. To make matters worse, I have to deal with clueless sales help who want to be in the store less than I do.

I spent most of the day yesterday in and out of stores getting my house ready for my bride’s return, and quickly reconfirmed my dislike for the process. I had to recruit the help of a dear lady friend, without whom the process would have been unbearable. A cold brew prior to starting also helped a tad.

Maybe this great divide is around gender lines? I see very few men in the shops, and the women seem to savor the experience as they browse through the plethora of choices, in no particular rush for the therapy session to end. No value judgement here, just an observation.

For me? I need some post shopping therapy, and a reaffirmation to stay away from all retail environments for at least one year.

The irony? I am a marketing professional by trade!