Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

to hate shopping?

72 replies

Ellybellyboo · 02/04/2017 09:00

Friends seem to think I'm some sort of weird freak

We're visiting some friends this weekend - we've known them years and our kids are really good buddies. We moved away several years ago.

Yesterday we went shopping at Westfield. OMG! I hated every minute of it.

Our DHs and a couple of other male friends went out on a jolly while the women and kids went shopping - would have rather been go-karting with the men to be honest, but we were their guests so went with the flow

DD1 (15) was initially quite enthusiastic about the idea (we live in the arse end of nowhere so was excited about the bright lights of Primark) DD2 (11) not so keen, but looking forward to spending time with her friends.

About an hour in and we're all bored and fed up with the whole thing. It was packed so constantly being bumped into, hot and uncomfortable and I end up with a banging headache.

We spent what felt like hours in Primark, DD1 doesn't really find anything she likes but buys a couple of tops as her friends bought them - it was kind of how cute, we'll all have the same top (I doubt she'll ever wear them, but it was her money).

Anyway, the torture finally ends.

I suppose we're just not used to it. We have a small town, with most things we need, but not the most exciting place to go shopping and we don't have any massive shopping centres nearby so we just don't go. That's what the internet is for!!

Plus, I just don't want to buy 'stuff'. We're not stingy or anything, we buy what we need, the kids have whatever they want within reason, but none of us want to buy stuff just for the sake of it.

DD1 didn't really find anything she liked and she was cool with that, but she came under a bit of pressure from her friends to just buy something - anything! DD2 bought some leggings and 2 t-shirts, I didn't buy anything. We spent about £50 between us, including lunch - last of the big spenders

We were all out for dinner last night and someone said to DH - "oh, you let Elly loose with your credit card, you're brave" (er, I have my own credit card, but anyway.....). DH said "oh, Elly hates shopping, it was fine"

General consensus seems to be that I'm a freak - a woman who hates shopping!!!!! . Everyone else seems to go shopping every weekend

When we get back to our friends last night we were discussing what to do today - friend suggested going to x town for lunch and a wander round the shops

NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:

HazelBite · 02/04/2017 10:07

After working in retail for a few years I hate it too. I can cope with an hour tops.
Its the browsing I can't stand and feeling that I really ought to buy something as I've made the effort to go to the shops.
Just before Christmas I went to Oxford St on a Thursday evening, it was hideous and worse still were the number of people with small children in buggies inflicting the torture on them.
Amazon is my friend!

HelenaGWells · 02/04/2017 10:10

I hate shopping. It is in no way pleasurable for me. I hate the noise the crowds and the lights. I don't see the point in spending hours looking at crap I don't need or want.

If I shop I go to a shop for a specific thing. If I need to browse for say a birthday present I try and go at a quiet time and go to only the shops I think I will be lucky.

If I can do it online instead I will.

Longdistance · 02/04/2017 10:16

I hate shopping too.

Bores me to tears.

I too online shop a lot.

Our local shopping centre is dire, and the Main Street is full of drunks sitting together.

It's not a fun experience. If I go, I go on my own, as my dd's are impatient, and quite frankly can't be bollocks to wait for my friends choose their clothes and dither.

gunsandbanjos · 02/04/2017 10:20

I despise shopping, I live in a big city but the main shopping street is full of your generic tat like primark, new look etc. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go for a day out wandering round the shops.

I online shop if I need something or go in as soon as the shops are open, grab what I need and beat a very hasty retreat.

Give me a walk in the hills then a BBQ/picnic/pub lunch any day of the week.

StarlingMurderation · 02/04/2017 10:21

I love online shopping but hate shopping centres, especially with a group of friends - you never end up getting what you want/need because you're following the group around, looking at stuff everyone else wants. Much prefer to nip in on my own and grab what I need. I like a wander round a big bookshop or John Lewis homewares but only during the week when it's quiet. Primark/TKMaxx at the weekend with a group of women and children is my idea of hell.

Glittermakeseverythingbetter · 02/04/2017 10:31

I love going shopping on my own. I work part time so am lucky enough to be able to go on a weekday morning when it is so much quieter. Going to Primark on a weekend is hell on earth. I have to take the kids every now and then to stock up on bits they want to choose themselves, but it's never a pleasant experience trailing round after my 12 year old.

EssentialHummus · 02/04/2017 10:34

I grew up in Johannesburg, where going to the mall was a viable form of entertainment on the weekends. Now (in London) hate it, particularly large malls like Westfield. If I need new clothes I'll order online or find a wuiet morning to go to Oxford Street (Ie not November/December, not in the school hols).

ForalltheSaints · 02/04/2017 10:45

If you see shopping as a necessity not a hobby, most men will love you for it!

Lules · 02/04/2017 10:52

I quite shopping. However Westfield (Stratford, other one is ok) is unbearably awful and Primark is the worst of the worst. There is no way I would ever go there at the weekend. I don't hate myself that much.

DelphiniumBlue · 02/04/2017 10:53

I don't think shopping is a group activity, even with only 2 people, one of them is going to have to be in a shop for longer than they wanted, and all the waiting around is a pain.
I actually like shopping, by myself, but doing it with not only my own DC but other peoples DC as well... Can't think of anything more tedious.

Crunchymum · 02/04/2017 10:54

I hate shopping but absolutely loath Primark. Hell on Earth and on a Saturday??? Screw that.

thepatchworkcat · 02/04/2017 11:00

Fellow freak here, I hate shopping too. It's a real chore, I buy online if I can, I'd never go shopping as a leisure activity! I like having new stuff though... And if I do need to go shopping in real life I'd always go alone, if I was with friends I wouldn't look properly or want to stop and try things on.

CreamCheez · 02/04/2017 11:15

I used to enjoy the shops, when they sold quality items. Now, it's a sea of polyester wherever you go. I'm not paying good money for Primark quality! High Street stores must think we're fools... I really don't know why folk follow "fashion".
I've never bought anything online, as I've always lived in the city centre. I like browsing independent boutiques, chatting to shopkeepers, stopping for lunch, people watching. Being out & about, I suppose. But I don't spend.
Give me Oxfam over Debenhams any day!

mirime · 02/04/2017 11:16

Book shopping is OK, take me to Hay on Wye and I'll out shop anyone. Apart from that, not interested.

Original poster

Ellybellyboo · 02/04/2017 11:32

Thanks all!

I suppose I just don't get shopping as a leisure activity.

If I have to go and buy something, I tend to have a look online first, get an idea of exactly what I want and where to get it.

I'm more than happy to stop off for lunch or a coffee and if I'm in a new or pretty olde worlde type town I'm happy to have a look round but find trailing round places like Westfield is hell on earth.

I don't see the point in filling carrier bag after carrier bag with clothes. The thought of all that 'stuff' stresses me out.

But then, we live by the sea, we're all pretty laid back and life is slow. DD1's idea of 'designer' is Jack Wills. Our lives our very different I guess.

OP posts:

The80sweregreat · 02/04/2017 12:02

Another hater, you are not alone! ( was always seen as freaky when i'd pass up on the whole shopping thing) we do exist.

ShuttyTown · 02/04/2017 12:23

Me too. Hate it with a passion!

WashBasketsAreUs · 02/04/2017 12:33

I don't mind food shopping ( but I work in a supermarket so it's a bit " coals to Newcastle! ". I look after my grandson several days a week so we usually pop down town to get a paper and a mooch through the charity shops looking for toys for him and his cousins. Actual real shopping - no. I go for months ( once a whole year) without buying clothes. There's only so many pairs of jeans you can wear!

specialsubject · 02/04/2017 12:37

I go to a shop when I need to buy something. Why would anyone do otherwise? Especially smelly hot noisy clothes shops, full of impractical stuff in random sizes.

I am getting gradually scruffier as I hate buying clothes. However I have a couple of smart outfits so I reckon I can avoid replacing anything else for a couple of years.

Guitargirl · 02/04/2017 12:42

I live fairly close to Westfield. I go usually once a term to stock up on presents for upcoming birthdays and cards as the card shop there is much cheaper than our local nice but £££ card shop. I don't like it much in there - it's soul-less, air-less and one hour in there feels like four.

But, this thread does read a bit holier than thou and MN snobbery at its worst. Pity the lower classes who enjoy something as mundane as shopping when they could be horse-riding, crafting and living by the sea.

Each to their own - not liking shopping doesn't make you a better person than someone who does.

honeylulu · 02/04/2017 12:43

I hate it too, especially as an outing with other people.
In particular I do not understand people who want to shop while on holiday. WTAF?

TobyTheWoodenDog · 02/04/2017 13:20

Guitargirl I totally agree! OP has mentioned in every post she's made on this thread that she 'lives by the sea'!

deadringer · 02/04/2017 13:26

I hate shopping too it's so darn boring, and so tiring. I would rather do housework tbh, and i hate housework

RiversrunWoodville · 02/04/2017 13:34

I absolutely hate it (and I don't live by the sea) I hate crowds I hate people shuffling around in front of the one thing I might want to grab quickly and run. I do all clothes and shoes online unless on holiday somewhere and see something in passing (if not in the window or near door of somewhere tiny no chance). I wouldn't have even attempted to join that trip friends or no friends, I would have politely pointed out my misery would not make it enjoyable for anyone so go have fun and either joined the go karting or just enjoyed the peace and quiet until the meal later

FinallyHere · 02/04/2017 13:56

Finally (sic) I have found my people.

If i need anything, which is in itself quite rare, I like to research on line. I have been known to go to Westfield, to try something on. The parking is easy and there lots of help to find my way around it at first. Now i know where to park for where I want to get to, i would however, only ever go out of hours, Tuesday evenings are good.

Flip

1 2 3