Why Do We Shop Till We Drop?

How do you unleash the secret, hidden obsession for shopping in people? Having the answer to this question can make you really rich or it could make you obsessed with shopping. Is it the mere practicality of being able to touch and feel everything you ever desired and indulge in the potential to actually buy it, or is it the emotion of trying to find that very particular dress or skirt or shoes, knowing it is out there somewhere? Whatever the reason is, the fact lies that people can shop till they drop. And some are proud of it. Actually, I strangely admire these people due to their neverending stamina and everlasting endurance (although their patience at some other things can be horrible)

And most importantly, the passion they have for getting what they like, that they will stop at nothing to get what they want. I don't know whether it's a bad thing that I see less people shopping like there is no end in the world, mainly due to the economic problem of scarcity. (scarce of money...)Of course, it is common sense that people stop buying once they run out of cash (though some resort to unethical means, something that I find quite disturbing), but what keeps them doing the same activity until they form this certain ritualistic need to shop - a shopping obsession.

Is it the spatial experience of the shopping mall (the deceiving and alluring lights and designs, attractive signboards, hustling, bustling crowd, the image of endless possibilities and choices) or is the everchanging products that shoppers, especially the younger crowds, that they must update themselves with in order to keep with the flow of fashion?

Take for instance, Queensway Shopping Centre. You can find almost every design and variety of sport equipment and sportwear, and true enough, we do see countless amounts of people hunting for such products, despite the gloomy and rather dismaying facade and interior design of the shopping centre. One can argue that it is the cost of the goods, the prices that are much lower than branded sports shop but is it really all to it? Does the price of the goods determine everything, rather than the place we are shopping at?

Wonder anyone has any idea of a mall in Singapore that solely attracts people not for the purpose of shopping, but for the sake of just entering the mall? (Just like when we enter a park)

Anyway, I guess the reason why people shop, for some till they drop, is because it validates their choices. The process of choosing, buying and owning can give one, at a subconscious level, a sense of accomplishment and in effect, temporal release from scarcity. Maybe scientists should investigate the amount of "happy hormones" people create when they shop... what other reasons do you think make people shop so much?

A THIRSTY Shopper is a "Bloodthirsty" Shopper

One thing about shopping is that from time to time, we see angry and peeved out customers, literally screaming and making a scene out of some dispute that I think shouldn't even be a dispute. Hey, shopping is supposed to be an enjoyable experience where you see happy faces, happy smiles and overall, happy people. I don't know how many bad shopping experiences most people may have, but despite my age, I have seen a couple of awful scenes which I try to ignore. (Ha ha... It is interestingly weird why arguments and loud speaking commotions get the best out of me).

But when I kinda of look back on why shopping can turn ugly (Can't believe I actually take time to think about such things...Don't ask me), I attribute the reason to it is because people are THIRSTY. And its not their fault that they are, because they just get to engrossed in their desire to shop and have a good time that they fail to notice their hydration levels. And that could certainly lead to heightened emotions, headaches and a mild level of delirium.

That's why shopping malls just need to have more water coolers around in correct places so that people can get access to this lifesaving liquid (although when you are drowning, you don't need it...haha). And don't put water coolers at the toilets. Somehow they just don't match at all. In fact, I think it's disgusting. Preferably, I think it's better to have those water coolers with those nice, conical cups where it is definitely more hygienic.

Well, shopping centres certainly should provide FREE water, rather than force us to buy them at $1.00 per bottle (Can you believe it?!! Actually, in Singapore, it is understandable). In this hot, tropical country of ours, a gulp more of water will surely do the trick to keep our country a shopping paradise.(Well, hopefully it is.)

How much can they change?

I do not know if Singapore can be referred as a shopping haven cause from my perspective, there isn't much to "shop". In this case, I am not saying that there aren't enough products for consumers to shop for but there isn't shopping centres that Singaporeans can explore with anticipation and surprises anymore as the brandnames just duplicate itself almost everywhere.

As the shopping centres islandwide had slowly been bought over by bigger companies and undergo revamping, they indeed changed from their old rundown outlook to become newer and more spacious so as to expand retail spaces. But at the very same time, they've changed to become more alike to the other shopping centres as well.

Talking about the singapore shopping experience, it has become more of a need to buy then go out to a particular shopping to get it lifestyle. The only change consumers can expect is the occasionally change of retailers and seasonal change of products that adds to the vibrancy and colour to the shopping centre.

So, how much can shopping centre change?

Even though its so, I am still eager to shop in the new upcoming vivocity after its done. As they are said to have many brandnames thats not common in Singapore. Something different finally. It will no longer be the usual watsons, guardians, giodarno, bosini, mango i hope..

Where's the Theme Spirit?

Shopping centres are in need of a serious makeover. I mean, look at Wisma Atria. Although recently they installed those nice colourful neon lights on their escalators, after a while it becomes a little bit boring. And Ngee Ann City. The only difference I see apart from some occasional events is that it is getting older. The only time of the year I kinda look foward to is Christmas where at least the shopping malls are decorated, but even then, overall the design of shopping centres just don't seem to grow on me. Really wished shopping malls could have some themes attached to them rather than simply look modern and high tech when basically everything is the same.

A Singaporean Shopping Experience

Do we really get what we want at shopping malls in Singapore? How many times have we entered a shopping mall in Singapore and feel like we are on top of the world? I mean, unless there is somebody by your side to buy every thing you said you wanted, or you stepped into the shopping centre and be announced as the 1,000,000th person who entered the mall (and thus won some really great prize that involves money), shopping in Singapore can become really monotonous. Well, that's just a fleeting opinion of mine. I kind of like the shopping malls in Singapore at times. The best part is when you go into a shopping centre that you thought you knew very well, and suddenly find out that they undergone some serious makeover that totally gets you lost and disorientated.

And the funniest part of shopping malls is that you can go in, have great time and realise that you did not even spend a single cent.

I wonder why....

	How would you describe your shopping experience in Singapore's Shopping Malls?
An Exciting and Fun Filled Experience One of the better experiences I had so far... It's not good, but it's not bad... A Forgettable Experience... What Shopping Experience???
Thank You