Christmas Shopping Styles

Sam and I went Christmas shopping this weekend.  Even though we do most of our shopping online, we still had to venture out into the madness to finish the endeavor.  But we are FINALLY FINISHED!!!! Cue the Hallelujah chorus!

I made a few observations this weekend while we were out shopping.  There are several kinds of shoppers...and some are definitely more courteous than others.  Here are my findings in no particular order of importance or courteousness:

Shopper #1:  The Plow

The Plow seeks to find and conquer.  This person is a shopper on a mission.  They cannot be bothered with looking at all of the shiny trinkets that are in the middle of every aisle at Kohl's.  They walk at about 3.5 mph and usually know the destination of their item and walk directly there, and then to the register to purchase said item.  They are not dilly dalliers. They may run people over in the process, but those people should have moved out of their way! They also may jump ahead of you in line if you are too slow approaching the register.

Shopper #2: The Indecisive Gift Buyer, aka Flip Flopper

This person is always standing in the way of everyone else around them contemplating should they buy the red tie or the green tie...or maybe the blue belt.  They usually have a larger than life shopping cart and probably a stroller with twins.  This person is usually standing right in front of the very item that the Plow is looking for.  They like to look at everything in the store...and contemplate every purchase. They are mesmerized by shiny trinkets.  They are very thoughtful about their gifts and often over think and over analyze what their gift says to the person they are buying it for. Time stands still for the Flip Flopper.  Sometimes they lose a whole day trying to figure out what to buy for Aunt Bertha.

Shopper #3: The Stalker

This person stands in wait for a person to walk down their aisle (usually the Flip Flopper) and when this person starts to look at the doo dads, then they decide that the Flip Flopper is in their way because they now want to look at the doo dads.  And then they proceed to hover, huff and puff, clear their throat, etc etc etc.  Then when the Flip Flopper moves on, the Stalker follows the Flip Flopper to the next item and repeats. I had a stalker almost hit me in the face once while reaching for a doo dad.  You must be very wary of the Stalker.  I think they are one of the more dangerous shoppers.  These are also the people that go crazy when the blue light comes on at Kmart.  They have been known to incite fights and riots. They also do not know how to say "excuse me".  Plows can sometimes be mistaken for Stalkers.

Shopper #4: The Carefree

The Carefree shopper actually enjoys shopping...especially when it is crowded.  They live for Black Friday.  You will usually see the Carefree Shopper with their family and friends...they have their own posse and they come prepared!  Mom, Grandma, and Aunt have Starbucks in hand, the kids have their PS3s and/or a book to keep them busy, and the Dads have stayed at home to watch the game. The Carefree Shopper usually makes a day out of shopping.  They even like to eat lunch in the food court. They are usually laughing and smiling and don't look stressed at all.  The Carefree Shopper can sometimes be mistaken for the Flip Flopper.

These are only a few of my observations.  I think I am mostly a Plow..but I do have Flip Flopper tendencies as well.
Whatever type of shopper you are, be safe out there and I hope you get all of your shopping done before the big day!

Merry Christmas!