Shopping in Singapore...

I love shopping. It's retail therapy for me and I feel darn good after shopping, even window shopping. And it helps that I have friends who enjoy shopping too. But I realise as I get older, I enjoy shopping on my own at times cuz it's me time and I don't have to worry if I am wasting any one's time. I go where I want, try anything that strike my fancy. It's just a feel good experience. Until the credit card bills come in. Then it's not such a fun experience *laughs*

Anyways, just to share my shopping experience today. Not very fruitful cuz wanted to look for some things but the fit wasn't good. So came home with things that weren't on the list. Yes, there is a term for that - impulse buying and I am good at that. Am trying to get that bad habit fixed but it will take time. Made worse with being on Cohen cuz on most days, I am not able to pig out on food that I love.

Today I was checking out some places. Why do the sales person feel that us shoppers actually want them to be there physically next to us when we shop. I don't know if that's what the majority wants but I HATE IT. Either they trail you as if they are afraid you might steal something...yes I know they are trying to be helpful but how helpful can it be when you are trying to shop and you have somebody watching over you like a hawk and when you dare touch something from the rack, the sales person will IMMEDIATELY rearrange it once your hand leaves the hanger. It's like a huge SIN to have any items not tucked in line with the other clothes which have been tightly arranged on hangers. We're suppose to have x-ray vision to know EXACTLY which items we want and fit us perfectly.

If you happen to be at Takashimaya around ten, try this (don't use main entrance, go through the one next to MacDonald's. I was there today and was waiting for the store to open. When they finally opened, I noticed all the staff had their eyes on the door...waiting as people go by, praying that one of them would enter. I was a bit hesitant to enter FIRST but hey, no one was around so I had to go in. A few staff at the door started to bow and I realised then that EVERYONE was standing along the aisle just waiting for the FIRST customer. And after that FIRST person has entered, everyone went back to what they were doing. So my thought was this, if I didn't enter, how long would they have to wait? It was like the staff for the WHOLE level was just waiting.

Next stop, Marks and Spencer at Paragon. A customer had asked for them to check the other branches for something that she wanted. And the staff there was suppose to call her back. Speaking in Malay, this was the conversation they had (translated into English by moi so that everyone can enjoy the conversation).

Staff A: What should I tell this customer. I tried to call the branch but they were not picking up (the phone).

Staff B: Tell her you tried and will call the branch again later in the evening.

Staff A: Can you talk to her for me?

Staff B: What?

Staff A: Can I just tell her that they don't have (the item) at the other branch?

Staff B: (no reply as she was handling a customer)

Staff A: I'll just tell her we don't have the item (picks up phone to call the customer)

I walked away, disgusted. I didn't plan to eavesdrop. I was just keeping my card and receipt at the counter and they were speaking loud enough for anyone standing at the counter to hear. Guess they thought it was to converse to Malay and nobody would understand. I do wonder now cuz there were times when I have asked Marks and Spencer staff to help call the other branches to check if they had tops in my size and the lines are usually busy so they promised they will call me back. Usually they do call back and there were times when they said they didn't have my tops at the other branches. So now I wonder if they really did call. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't ...