Men and Women are so different
TheRoadDog
Posts: 11,788 Member
***Disclaimer -- This information is based solely on the observations of Road Dog. Men should not attempt to discuss this with the women in their life.
I guess my brain is not hardwired to understand how women shop. I’m married. Have three daughters, 2 granddaughters, 3 sisters-in-law, 2 sisters. I feel qualified to address the issue.
Here’s how women shop.
Are they out looking for something they need? Nope. Between my wife and daughters alone, they have enough shoes between them to open their own high-end shoe store. Are they wearing tattered clothes to work every day? Nope.I had to build a closet downstairs for MY clothing, because my wife takes up the Master Bedroom closet, the guest bedroom closet, and, not that my youngest is off to college, my wife has started moving clothes into her old closet.
So what’s the deal with shopping? It ain’t need.
And the manner in which they shop? I don’t ask, but here’s what I might hear as they ready for shopping safari:
“They’re having a sale at…..”
“I’ve got an additional 30% off coupon.”
“I have an additional 20% off my last receipt is I use it by….”
Off they go. They’re also armed with a couple “Buy One Get One” coupon as well. There’s a pot of coffee on the counter, but they just got their Gold Card from Starbucks, so that’s their first stop. Lunch somewhere in the middle of the shopping spree is a given.
Now, they may not even have an item to purchase in mind, but that coupon expires by the end of the week and letting it expire unused is unheard of.
They’re gone all day. Here’s where I’m lost, because I don’t ask what they’ve done while they are out. But, they might come back with 3 bags, several items, and, they want to show every single one to me. I get a rundown on the reason they bought these particular items:
“This matches my magenta blouse.”
“I needed these shoes for so and so’s retirement party.”
“You love the way I look in the red one, so I got a matching blue one.”
I haven’t even scratched the surface.
Oh. They don’t tell you how much they spent. Not that I care. What they tell you is how much they saved:
“Combined a 1 day sale item with my BOGO and the 20% coupon. Saved $17.00”
It’s not over either. Several of the items are going back next week to be exchanged and/or credited to their account. Thus allowing for the cycle to begin again.
Here’s how this man shops.
I need a black shirt. First, I go on-line and Google “Black Shirts”. Most of the time, this does it. I order a black shirt on the Internet.
Let’s say I can’t find a black shirt on line. Highly unlikely, but it happens. I head to a store that sells black shirts. Park, Go in. Go straight to the black shirt rack. Now…if I don’t know where the black shirt rack is, I don’t go up and down every aisle looking for it. I look for the sales person and ask for the directions. I’m now at the black shirt rack. I find one very quickly. If I really like it, I buy several, so I don’t have to go through this again anytime soon. I rarely buy any other item except the black shirt. If I happen to buy something on impulse, it’s because it is on the most direct route from the black shirt rack to the cash register. Even then, it’s unlikely, unless there is some cute, busty clerk in a low cut top waving me over.
I pay for my purchase and go home. No, I don’t want a store credit card, so I can save 20% on my next purchase. No, I don’t want to sign up for the preferred customer’s club. No, I don’t have a coupon.
If, for some reason, I get home and decide in a few days I don’t really like it, do I take it back? Nope. I’ll be polishing my motorcycle with it.
I guess my brain is not hardwired to understand how women shop. I’m married. Have three daughters, 2 granddaughters, 3 sisters-in-law, 2 sisters. I feel qualified to address the issue.
Here’s how women shop.
Are they out looking for something they need? Nope. Between my wife and daughters alone, they have enough shoes between them to open their own high-end shoe store. Are they wearing tattered clothes to work every day? Nope.I had to build a closet downstairs for MY clothing, because my wife takes up the Master Bedroom closet, the guest bedroom closet, and, not that my youngest is off to college, my wife has started moving clothes into her old closet.
So what’s the deal with shopping? It ain’t need.
And the manner in which they shop? I don’t ask, but here’s what I might hear as they ready for shopping safari:
“They’re having a sale at…..”
“I’ve got an additional 30% off coupon.”
“I have an additional 20% off my last receipt is I use it by….”
Off they go. They’re also armed with a couple “Buy One Get One” coupon as well. There’s a pot of coffee on the counter, but they just got their Gold Card from Starbucks, so that’s their first stop. Lunch somewhere in the middle of the shopping spree is a given.
Now, they may not even have an item to purchase in mind, but that coupon expires by the end of the week and letting it expire unused is unheard of.
They’re gone all day. Here’s where I’m lost, because I don’t ask what they’ve done while they are out. But, they might come back with 3 bags, several items, and, they want to show every single one to me. I get a rundown on the reason they bought these particular items:
“This matches my magenta blouse.”
“I needed these shoes for so and so’s retirement party.”
“You love the way I look in the red one, so I got a matching blue one.”
I haven’t even scratched the surface.
Oh. They don’t tell you how much they spent. Not that I care. What they tell you is how much they saved:
“Combined a 1 day sale item with my BOGO and the 20% coupon. Saved $17.00”
It’s not over either. Several of the items are going back next week to be exchanged and/or credited to their account. Thus allowing for the cycle to begin again.
Here’s how this man shops.
I need a black shirt. First, I go on-line and Google “Black Shirts”. Most of the time, this does it. I order a black shirt on the Internet.
Let’s say I can’t find a black shirt on line. Highly unlikely, but it happens. I head to a store that sells black shirts. Park, Go in. Go straight to the black shirt rack. Now…if I don’t know where the black shirt rack is, I don’t go up and down every aisle looking for it. I look for the sales person and ask for the directions. I’m now at the black shirt rack. I find one very quickly. If I really like it, I buy several, so I don’t have to go through this again anytime soon. I rarely buy any other item except the black shirt. If I happen to buy something on impulse, it’s because it is on the most direct route from the black shirt rack to the cash register. Even then, it’s unlikely, unless there is some cute, busty clerk in a low cut top waving me over.
I pay for my purchase and go home. No, I don’t want a store credit card, so I can save 20% on my next purchase. No, I don’t want to sign up for the preferred customer’s club. No, I don’t have a coupon.
If, for some reason, I get home and decide in a few days I don’t really like it, do I take it back? Nope. I’ll be polishing my motorcycle with it.
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Replies
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Oh. They don’t tell you how much they spent. Not that I care. What they tell you is how much they saved:
“Combined a 1 day sale item with my BOGO and the 20% coupon. Saved $17.00”
I am so guilty of the above quote. :laugh:0 -
LMAO! This is very, very true right down to showing you the clothes they buy. I do this all. the. time!
I've gone to Walmart with my husband and he went off to look at whatever, comes back and I've got a cart filled with stuff: clothes, make up, hair stuff, you name it. He was like "I left you alone for ten minutes! WTF?!"
Women can rationalize any purchase. It's something we're born with.0 -
You are so right! LOL!0
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i'm such a guy when it comes to shopping.
if i can't get it online, i probably don't need it.0 -
lol, that was brilliant. Maybe I shouldn't be showing father all my purchases!
Is this a guy thing? My Father is completely content with wearing clothes that are 20 years old. He doesn't see any difference between his "good" clothes and work clothes. He owns shoes for a millenia.0 -
Apparently this is one reason my husband tells me I am SO DIFFERENT from most women. Per your example, I totally shop like a guy. And then only when I'm forced to because my 25+ year old clothes have finally worn out. I hate clothes shopping. Hate it. Shoe shopping is even worse.
If I had oodles of money I would gladly pay someone like Stacey or Clinton to take my measurements and just go shop for me.
Don't despair, guys - there ARE a few of us out there!!
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Perfect! I love this post...it is so true! And I think it could be summed up as...women go shopping just because, men go shopping if the absolutely have to, they get exactly what they came for and leave...0
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Clothing - I hate shopping for clothing. I think I've been twice in 2 months for things like graduation for my little sister and the fact my jeans were no longer 'work acceptable' because I wear my jeans out from use...Argh...
Now, you send me into a craft store, I am so sorry.....0 -
Very well said!! :flowerforyou:
Although I was like that when I was younger, the older I get the more I start shopping like a man. :laugh:0 -
I absolutely HATE shopping. So I can't really relate. I need something. I go get it... and try to do so as quickly as possible. Spending money isn't my idea of a good time.
Unless it's on running or martial arts gear. LOL!!0 -
lol, that was brilliant. Maybe I shouldn't be showing father all my purchases!
Is this a guy thing? My Father is completely content with wearing clothes that are 20 years old. He doesn't see any difference between his "good" clothes and work clothes. He owns shoes for a millenia.
Of course you should show him. He doesn't necessarily care about your purchases, but he cares that you are sharing with him.
Oh and the shoes? What\'s with that? I need a pair of flip flops for around the house. A pair of dress shoes that I only wear to Weddings and Funerals. Motorcycle Boots. 2 pair of Tennies. 1 for wearing around the house and 1 for formal occassions.
And 3 pairs of soccer shoes. Outdoor, Indoor, Special Turf .0 -
Perfect! I love this post...it is so true! And I think it could be summed up as...women go shopping just because, men go shopping if the absolutely have to, they get exactly what they came for and leave...
Hmmm, well, so far several of us women disagree with you on that! I think it is a stereotype that doesn't work for a lot of women.0 -
winner.0
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lol, that was brilliant. Maybe I shouldn't be showing father all my purchases!
Is this a guy thing? My Father is completely content with wearing clothes that are 20 years old. He doesn't see any difference between his "good" clothes and work clothes. He owns shoes for a millenia.
Of course you should show him. He doesn't necessarily care about your purchases, but he cares that you are sharing with him.
Oh and the shoes? What\'s with that? I need a pair of flip flops for around the house. A pair of dress shoes that I only wear to Weddings and Funerals. Motorcycle Boots. 2 pair of Tennies. 1 for wearing around the house and 1 for formal occassions.
And 3 pairs of soccer shoes. Outdoor, Indoor, Special Turf .
I never thought of it that way. ::)0 -
Very well said!! :flowerforyou:
Although I was like that when I was younger, the older I get the more I start shopping like a man. :laugh:
Same here. And I don't throw out old clothes until they start developing holes in embarrassing places!0 -
LOL. I agree with your statement, but I am the "exception to the rule". I rarely shop and If I do, I go to get one specific thing.0
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Perfect! I love this post...it is so true! And I think it could be summed up as...women go shopping just because, men go shopping if the absolutely have to, they get exactly what they came for and leave...
Hmmm, well, so far several of us women disagree with you on that! I think it is a stereotype that doesn't work for a lot of women.
I will tell you this is the first I have ever heard of a woman NOT liking to just go to the mall ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!!!!0 -
+10
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I totally dont know these women.0
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Clothing - I hate shopping for clothing. I think I've been twice in 2 months for things like graduation for my little sister and the fact my jeans were no longer 'work acceptable' because I wear my jeans out from use...Argh...
Now, you send me into a craft store, I am so sorry.....
This is so me!
I get most of my clothes off Ebay, 'cause I hate shopping so much.
But fabric & books thats a whole other story.:laugh:0 -
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:I look for the sales person and ask for the directions.0 -
lol. Rings true with me. We have a shopping centre here called Bluewater - one of the largest in Europe. Usually, if I'm there to buy something it takes about an hour from leaving my house to getting home. With my girlfriend in tow, I was in the shopping centre for 9(!) hours. More than a working day. 9. Long. Hours.0
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guilty as charged.0
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I hate shopping... just hate it (unless it is the fabric store)! I go to the mall once a year, and it is an in and out trip (it's where Lane Bryant is). Walmart is evil...
But now, JoAnn's is my mecca... I have coupons galore and never spend full price on anything. But I also run a small home business making dog collars and handbags, so I need the stuff.0 -
Oh. They don’t tell you how much they spent. Not that I care. What they tell you is how much they saved:
“Combined a 1 day sale item with my BOGO and the 20% coupon. Saved $17.00”
I am so guilty of the above quote. :laugh:
Me too!
But you know what? My husband doesn't want to know.
Once, I guess my receipt fell out of my car, and I didn't notice. Hubby picked it up and looked at it to make sure it wasn't one he needed (he owns his own business).
It was for me getting my hair done. Highlights, dye, cut, blow-out. A couple products. I think it came to about $170.
He told me later - don't let the receipt fall out. I don't want to know how much you're spending on your hair.
He was laughing. He's okay with it...but he'd rather not know.0 -
Uh, this is pretty stereotypical. And not true for me at all. I think you're making it seem as though women don't know how to handle money. Well, maybe that's true about some women, but for the most part they're practical and capable. Men, on the other hand, can't read faces or body language for beans and therefore tend to communicate poorly. If you ask me, it's men who need women, not the other way around.
Anyway, I hate shopping so this certainly doesn't apply to everyone.0 -
Apparently this is one reason my husband tells me I am SO DIFFERENT from most women. Per your example, I totally shop like a guy. And then only when I'm forced to because my 25+ year old clothes have finally worn out. I hate clothes shopping. Hate it. Shoe shopping is even worse.
If I had oodles of money I would gladly pay someone like Stacey or Clinton to take my measurements and just go shop for me.
Don't despair, guys - there ARE a few of us out there!!
This is me as well...but it's not just clothes shopping...I hate ALL shopping. I only go when I have to and I get it done as fast as I can. I have better things to do with my life! :happy:0 -
Classic example of the HUNT (male) and FORAGING/GATHERING (female). Generally speaking that is. That said, I am not one to spend the day shopping without having something particular in mind first. If I go as you described, it is more like a bonding day with my gals and shopping is secondary. Sale racks are the norm, gotta be thrifty - lol. PS: My shoe collection and closet use sounds on par. LOVE IT.0
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Uh, this is pretty stereotypical. And not true for me at all. I think you're making it seem as though women don't know how to handle money. Well, maybe that's true about some women, but for the most part they're practical and capable. Men, on the other hand, can't read faces or body language for beans and therefore tend to communicate poorly. If you ask me, it's men who need women, not the other way around.
Anyway, I hate shopping so this certainly doesn't apply to everyone.
First of all, I said right up front that I was talking about MY observations about the women in MY life.
Second of all, it was meant as an antecdotal funny story.
Thirdly, the women in my MY life are MY life and make their own decisions always with MY total support.
Fourth, lighten up and relax. I wasn't putting women down. No need to forward my story to Gloria Steinem.0 -
Apparently this is one reason my husband tells me I am SO DIFFERENT from most women. Per your example, I totally shop like a guy. And then only when I'm forced to because my 25+ year old clothes have finally worn out. I hate clothes shopping. Hate it. Shoe shopping is even worse.
If I had oodles of money I would gladly pay someone like Stacey or Clinton to take my measurements and just go shop for me.
Don't despair, guys - there ARE a few of us out there!!
This is me as well...but it's not just clothes shopping...I hate ALL shopping. I only go when I have to and I get it done as fast as I can. I have better things to do with my life! :happy:
I really do'nt shop often, and when I do, I tend to order online.
The main things I buy are either fitness/health related or books.
But I do go through spending binges every once in awhile. LOL0
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