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| Sunday, 20 November 2005 |
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Shopaholic? by Rikaza Hassan
Shopping does not necessarily mean you're out buying clothes, accessories. Shopping can entail buying cds, electrical items, books, just about everything. "I am a self-confessed book-worm. I cannot go a week without reading something new, and the newspapers aren't exactly my forte," says 16-year old Nirmalee. "I save up on my pocket money and buy a book each week from the second hand book stores. I spend hours there everyday, just poring over the books, reading jacket covers and deciding which book is within my means. I will then be buying it at the end of the week. The owners are pretty used to me by now, having been coming there for ages now and don't mind the time I spend there. They even give me a lovely discount every week." Mahen on the other hand is a collector of both cds and dvds. "I am working now, so I've got a little money of my own, but I have been collecting ever since my school days when cds first came to Sri Lanka. I just loved their longevity if taken proper care of and the extra space of course," he says.
Modern technology is Shaquille's way of going on a shopping spree. "I shop on-line," he says simply. "I've got my credit card with a sizable credit limit, so basically I order everything possible off the internet. If I'm hungry I could order food, get groceries delivered, order flowers for my girl, whatever. As soon as a new movie I'd like to watch, an album I'd like to listen to, or a book I'd like to read is released, I order it off amazon.com. It takes longer, but I still prefer the originals to the pirated cds off the streets." Personifying what a lot of guys supposedly hate about women, Ashini is a vociferous shopper. "I hit the department stores and the boutiques at least twice a week, not that we've got many anyways," she fumes. "I buy jeans, t-shirts, shoes, bags, funky jewellery, make-up, and perfume. "I buy whatever I have a great liking for. That way I already have a new outfit if I need to go somewhere on short notice. Besides shopping is such a stress reliever. Just spending hours with all those gorgeous clothes, trying them on and deciding which ones to choose is just great. I love it." How does the boy friend cope? "Oh he's alright with it. Sometimes he accompanies me and sometimes he doesn't," replies Ashini matter of factly. "I love chocolate. I love chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, milk chocolate, bitter chocolate, chocolate syrup, absolutely anything to do with chocolate. It's my one weakness," says Maria. She saves up on her daily allowance to "have a chocolate filled tea after school and of course take away a couple of pieces for my nightcap." Shopaholics do seem to galore these days. Even if you aren't exactly obsessed or passionate about it, almost all of us do enjoy shopping for something, be it small and inexpensive or very dear. And if you guys out there are shaking your heads, then think about this. Why do we always see guys oohing and aahing at mobile phones, players, notebooks on the window displays - walking in and badgering the guy to give you a good bargain even though you know you still can't afford it? |
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Most females enjoy shopping, even if it is to
just go and check out the latest designs. Most guys however hate it,
trying to spend as little time as possible when they are forced in to this
chore. Or so the saying goes... 
And where is his favourite shopping spot? "I make a trip at the end of
the month and burn out pretty much all my savings on audio cds, music vcds
and dvds. I love music and in this way I not only get to listen to my
favourite artistes but also have a collection of them. May be my grand
kids will be able to make a few millions by auctioning this off," he
chuckles. 
