Hi Girls-

Nikki's post decided me to open this topic about the differences in how women and men shop...for nearly everything, from clothes and accessories to groceries. Recently, and I can't remember where exactly, I saw a post or an article on the differences in shopping "styles" (for lack of a better word) between men and women. It may even have been here on TW, or it might have been another forum. No matter what, I don't like to plagiarize, so if anyone here posted the original thread, please speak up so we can acknowledge you or if someone else has seen it on another site, please let me know so we can give credit where credit is due.

Anyway, the gist of it is this. Men, traditionally, have been hunters and women have been gatherers. Both essential to the survival of a group and both respected, one would suppose, within a particular group. Of course we're talking here of olden days when people subsisted on what they could forage from the land around them. Before agriculture and commerce and so on. A way longtime ago, when Wendy was a girl.<g> (Hiya, Wendy!)

Because taking down an animal could draw scavengers and other predators much meaner or stronger than the hunters themselves (like at the day after Thanksgiving Day sales here in the US), men made hunting a foray or a raid. Get in, get out, get the job done and skedaddle before momma lion and the rest of the pride appear over the hill. This style of acquisition persists to this day.

When men go shopping, and this is certainly how I shopped when I was in male mode, they know exactly what prey object (shirt, pants, socks, whatever) they are after, they go in, move directly to where the prey object is located (first aisle to the right from the main door), target the prey (white athletic socks...so boring), bring down the prey (into the cart with it) and then they're gone. Off to the cashier and out the door. This is exactly how I used to shop. I knew which brand I liked and what size I wore. I always shopped the same store so I knew exactly where what I wanted was and I could be in and out in less than 20 minutes. This, for most men, is shopping.

Women, on the other hand, foraged for what they brought to the table. This involved less stealth, since say a blackberry bush, was not apt to take alarm, warn the rest of the bushes and the whole bunch scamper off. So time could be taken to find which bushes had the ripest, most flavorful berries, to sample and compare them and perhaps to discuss where there might be some wild apple trees nearby to go have a look at and when other fruits or grains might become ripe and plan another gathering party. In other words, it was a group activity involving both younger and older women and somewhat leisurely with plenty of time for talk and sharing the work and a sense of communal bonding. And women shop like this today. Two or perhaps three women will go out and make a day of it. Comparing items, trying them on, asking for comments, taking suggestions as to what might look better or what accessory might work well with a particular choice and so on. This is how I shop now, personally speaking. And it makes my wife happy. Used to be after about 30 minutes of watching her shuffling tops on a rack and holding them up for my inspection, I would start glancing, not surreptitiously at all, at my watch and tapping my foot.

Anyway, I didn't intend to go on and on...as I so often do. And of course this is not an anthropology paper. I'm sure it's riddled with conjecture, false assumptions, and inaccuracies. Oh well.

So please chime in, how do you shop and how has it changed for you since you started to get your girlside on?

Hugs...Joni Marie

How Do You Shop?
1:	Like a guy. In and out as quickly as possible
2:	Like a gal. Take my time, compare and shop around.

Thank you, Cat, darling. Of course it was you, thank you for reminding me, I just couldn't remember. Did you get my email, girl? Happy New Year, hon, to you and yours. My best wishes always.

Hugs...Joni Marie

Hi Anne Selene-

I lived in Karlsruhe and Kaiserslautern when I was young. My Dad was in the military, I have many fond memories of Germany. Auf Wiedersehen. (Please pardon my spelling, I think I may have got it wrong.)

Hugs...Joni Marie