Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Maybe I Should Have Picked A Small Drugstore For My First "Alone" Shopping Trip...

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Okay, so I finally I screwed up my courage and did what my therapists have been asking me to do for the last 2 years.....

I voluntarily went shopping at the mall--- by myself.

Yep, I did it. And it would actually kill 2 birds with one stone. One, that I would finally do what my dang therapists have been preaching to me for the last 2 years; and two, I have been drooling over the above Coach handbag (on the internet) for months---but I would need to actually see it in person to find out if it had all the characteristics I wanted. But going outside in public, especially to a mall, was a daunting task for which I could barely find a tiny bit of what my therapists call "doing the opposite of what you feel" and also "willingness".

Willingness schmillingness.
And so I went. And I found out something disturbing---I can barely hold a meaningful conversation with strangers in public. For some reason I couldn't hear what the salesgirls were saying. Maybe that was because my blood was rushing through my ears out of nervousness. And so, I kept having to ask them (multiple times) to repeat themselves. And I was stuttering so bad that I wasn't making any sense in my sentences. I know they thought I was retarded or something.

And in addition, it makes me hideously uncomfortable for a sales person to come try to help me. I just want to skulk around, checking things, finding my size, etc.---and I absolutely abhor sales people who come up and nearly assault me in their quest to find things for me. I just don't like anybody in public paying attention to me when I want to stay quietly in the background, looking for whatever it is that I want.

I wanted to raise up a cross and a string of garlic bulbs whenever those damn pushy sales people approached me.

For example, I walked by this one kiosk where the girls there were selling hand lotion and fingernail products. And let me tell you, they were the most aggressive sales girls that I've ever experienced in my life. I clearly said "no thank you" when one of them approached me----but then she ignored that declaration and grabbed my hand---and put lotion on it! Then she asked if I always keep my fingernails "natural" with no polish. I made the giant mistake of saying "um...yes, I guess"----and then she produced a nail buffer the size of a bar of Zest soap and started vigorously buffing my fingernails on that hand which she had in a vice grip.

She buffed and buffed, and I kept tugging on my hand to make my escape, repeatedly telling her that "I've got to go"--- but she kept on buffing!!! What the hell? Finally she let go of my hand and said "look!" So I looked and, sure enough, my dull "natural" fingernails were shiny and pretty---without polish or anything.

But I didn't want a fingernail buffer and so I forcefully extricated myself from her and kept on walking. But then...when I was finished shopping and had to turn around to head towards the mall exit---I was mortified to realize I had to pass that kiosk all over again! And sure enough, I was ten feet away from it when that same sales girl began hollering out her spiel to me. This time I knew better and tore ass away from her as fast as I could, heading towards the mall exit--- and away from her and other aggressive sales people who don't take no for an answer.

I haven't been to a mall in so long that I was overwhelmed with all the stimulation of so many stores and all the music coming from the inside of each store. And I was amazed to see a full sized merry-go-round in front of Dillards. It was huge and the ponies were brightly colored and just begging to be ridden. But since it was fairly early in the morning there were no kids riding the merry-go-round--- and so it was going round and round with no riders on the sad ponies.

I did so want to ride one of those ponies....

This mall trip was a huge step for me--- to go out in public to shop. And to a mall, no less. I had been putting it off for weeks. So I imagine my mobile therapist will be happy as a lark about it. But it was such an unpleasant experience that I doubt I'll repeat it again any time soon. I did get the things I wanted but I felt like it was guerrilla warfare between me and the sales people who descended on me every time I turned around---and I felt excruciatingly shameful that I couldn't talk coherently whenever I wanted to make myself understood to one of them.

I really didn't feel any triumph at all over this first foray into the outside environment by myself...

Sigh....

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19 comments:

Beth said...

Keep working at it, Bo - we are all proud of you! Everyone has "hurdles" in their life, but many people will purposely avoid them, rather than take them on like you did.

Kali said...

You did it! Good for you! I am not fond of shopping in a mall, either. I do it, but I don't like it.

Yes, next time try a smaller venue. With this positive accomplishment under your belt (so to speak), you might not dislike it quite so much.

Anonymous said...

Seriously, your post almost perfectly portrays why I hate going to the mall. Not afraid to go just hate it so much. I feel like I need to arm myself with a tazer to ward off the push perfume girls, nail buffers and obnoxious sales associates. I have adopted the same policy about stores as I have about car or furnature sales people...I ask them their name, tell them I am just looking but if I need assistance I will come to them, and if they bother me again I am out of there.

Bo... said...

Thank you, Beth, Kali, and Anonymous! Your kind words of encouragement do make me feel better!

danielle said...

Good for you Bo. I dont have the issues that you have - but I hate going to malls. Maybe because I do not like shopping itself - only when it has to do with bookstores, yarn stores, and thrift stores. I try my darnedest to stay away from malls - and big dept stores with huge makeup areas! First of all, I have to hold my breath and plug my nose when I walk thru the perfume area and pray it is not crowded so that I can get thru it without inhaling! LOL

Bo... said...

I'm with you, Danielle---I don't think I'd be quite as nervous if I went to a yarn store or a book store!

Anonymous said...

Sign me up for the 'hate malls club', too! The last time I was in a mall was about 4 years ago. Hate the parking, hate the crowds, hate feeling rushed to buy.

Bo... said...

You're so right, Anonymous. I do think the interiors of malls are enough to make one pull one's hair out in frustration & anxiety!

Anonymous said...

I know you have some problems, and I'm not trying to negate or minimize them .. but in this instance, it's not you, it's the mall!! They're horrible, horrible places, and the very reason that God gave us Amazon.com!

Bo... said...

You are totally right, Anonymous!

Sue said...

Way to go Bo!! It is pretty darn terrific that you took on the mall and made it. By the way, that is a beautiful bag!

Charlotte said...

Congratulations for accomplishing this shopping trip! The next time will be better. The first time we do anything is always the worst.

Bo... said...

Sue & Charlotte--- thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It really does help me to know I've got supportive friends who understand. I take heart with all of your encouragement---it truly helps me to keep on plugging!

Meg said...

Oh, good for you!

I know you hated it, and may not consider it a huge success, but you did it! And that is huge. Keep wrking at it. Maybe try somewhere a bit more sedate next time? A book store or a yarn shop, perhaps? The mall frequently makes me want to pull my own hair out. We have an outdoor one here that's not quite so bad, but the department store is the worst.

Next time anyone approaches you with lotion or perfume or anything like that, say "I have allergies." That ought to make them leave you be.

Bo... said...

Thank you, Meg! And that's a good one, saying I have allergies---I'm going to remember that one!

Cindy/KS said...

I hate shopping! I hate sales people following me around! My ideal store would have the sales people centrally located so that I can find them easily if I have a question or am ready to pay. But you start following me, trying to tell me what I want, etc. & I will leave. You just lost the sale!

Bo... said...

Hi Cindy! I've even resorted to actually hiding behind racks--but they still find me!

Cindy/KS said...

I once needed to buy a washer after 19 years with the Maytag I had. The salesman was talking to me when I first went in, then when he realized my dh was with me, he suddenly alternated between ignoring me & telling I didn't know what I was talking about, etc. The only reason he ended up with the sale was that he brought his price down to within $5 of the price on the other one & they would load it for us. He even tried telling me about how I would get a year of Tide, if I bought his. I told him that was not a selling point with me - I am allergic to it! But it really annoyed me since if I had wanted a man to tell me what kind of washer I wanted, I would have just sent my dh to pick one out for me.

Bo... said...

Oh, Cindy that would have been so aggravating!!!