Retrospect: Shoppers
By Kevin J. W. Driscoll (c) 2024
I’ve always been a bit of a consumer. Not in a hoarding sense, mind you. I’m not one of those people who fills their garage with boxes of expired cereal or their closet with clothes they’ve never worn. No, I’m more of a connoisseur of consumption. I appreciate the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of the score and of course saving money.
I remember one particularly epic shopping spree I had a few years back. It was the day after Christmas, and the stores were still absolutely packed. The air was thick with the scent of desperation and regret. People were shoving and elbowing their way through the aisles, their faces contorted in a mix of greed and terror.
I, on the other hand, was enjoying myself immensely. I wandered through the store with a leisurely pace, picking up items and putting them down, considering their merits with a thoughtful air. I even had the audacity to hum a little tune.
Eventually, I found myself in the electronics department. There, I spotted a brand new gaming console that had just been released. It was the latest and greatest – it was on sale and I knew I had to have it. I grabbed it off the shelf and headed to the checkout line.
As I waited in line, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had conquered the chaos of the post-Christmas shopping season, and I had emerged victorious with a prized possession.
But then, as I was handing over my credit card, I had a sudden pang of doubt. Had I really needed this new console? Was it worth the money I was about to spend?
I hesitated for a moment, but then I decided to go for it. After all, life’s too short to deprive yourself of the occasional indulgence.
As I walked out of the store, clutching my new console, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of buyer’s remorse. But then I thought about all the fun I was going to have playing games on it, and I quickly dismissed my doubts.
I guess that’s the thing about shopping. It’s a never-ending cycle of desire, acquisition, and regret. But somehow I keep going back for more.
–30–
Kevin Driscoll(Mostly) Vegetarian, Politically Progressive, Daily Runner, Spiritual, Helpful, Friendly, Kind, Warm Hearted and Forgiving. Resident of Braintree MA.
Bravo Kevin, you’ve captured the hustle and bustle of the department stores on those post-holiday sale days, and the thrill of the hunt for a bargain.
Alas today’s online shopping will never be the same!
“The air was thick with the scent of desperation and regret”–what a wordsmith! You describe so well the “never-ending cycle of desire, acquisition, and regret”. And yet you seem to have mastered a certain blitheness when maneuvering through the post-Christmas crowds. A zen-like shopaholic! I’m sure you enjoyed the game console at least for a good while before the credit card bill of regret appeared.