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Cover Story: Shopping mania
Shopping is somewhat the most tormenting job for some while it might seem pleasurable to others. This statement proves true for both young and old. I have seen many kids who are excited by the very idea of shopping whereas I have also seen some of you hide somewhere when you hear your parents say let’s go shopping. But in whatever category you fall, you always want things that approve to your taste. Either by giving a list of things you want to buy or going with them to choose for yourself.
Well the markets around us have shelves stacked with different varieties of just one product. It makes it quite difficult to choose just one of them. What seem even more irresistible are different kinds of chocolates that make you wish to buy all of them without any hesitation. However, all of you have your own views about it as you are all individuals with different personalities. But what pleases you guys the most are the refreshment (juice, milk-shakes, burgers, snacks, chaats, etc. which serve the appetite quite well) which have become an integral part of shopping.
I asked an eight-year-old girl Anam, What she would buy if given a lot of money? Well, the answer was a cute one, she said, “I will buy a school bag and if I still have some more money left I will buy myself a very beautiful lunch box.” She is content with the things that are bought by her mother and so she doesn’t want to buy anything else. I know what you guys are thinking! But, that is the way kids who rejoice in little joys of life behave like.
When 15-year-old Azar was questioned as to what he enjoyed shopping for, his spontaneous answer was that he does not enjoy shopping at all. “I let my mother know whatever I want and she buys it for me. Well, basically I prefer Pakistani products,” because he loves Pakistan. Not every kid agrees with him, as one named Nayab said that he prefers quality. I like good quality products, what brand it is or what country it has been manufactured in does not matter.”
But some of the shopkeepers insist that kids are impervious to reason. A shopkeeper, Ahmad, says, “there are thousands of things in my store but every week or so a child would turn up and complain that I don’t keep my store up-dated as I don’t have a particular object that they have seen on the television.” He said, “Mostly when children come with their parents and buy things on their parents’ expense they tend to buy almost everything but when they buy things from their own pocket money then they will only buy the thing that they need most.” And this is something most parents agreed with when I talked to them.
One thing that every kid wants, and I believe must have, is a toy. They are your companions and friends, and if they are a bit expensive or unique you tend to boast about them. Do buy the toys you like but be reasonable while buying them, don’t threaten your parents that you won’t do anything unless they buy you that particular toy. That way you are being to hard on them. I have heard someone say, ‘Buy one toy but a good one as it will become your childhood memory when you grow up.’
Besides toys what most kids are fond of are stationery items. Well, I remember that I myself was a collector of these things. Some of you buy the local ones which are, as I must add, of good quality indeed, and others buy imported ones. Specially, as schools have opened up there is a great demand of Power Puff Girls school bags and pencils which are, of course, chosen by young girls and Spider-Man bags and pencil boxes by boys, while Harry Potter works out for both — even for grownups.
Even while buying clothes they wish for these characters to be embodied on their outfits. They think it makes them appear cool or trendy. The characters are in and so they too feel that now they have become ‘in’. A lot of kids go for the branded items just for the feel of it, their preference is not for quality or any such thing but just because of the name. They feel cool wearing a branded jeans or T-shirt; it makes them appear fashionable. But most prefer wearing off the shelf clothes for casual day-to-day wear. “It should be trendy and not old fashioned or out dated,” asserts a 14-year old. “We can’t wear something that makes us appear as if we are living in the 20th century.” Yes, you are too conscious that you are growing up in the 21st century. All sorts of trendy hip styles are available in the market, and hence getting a copy of designer stuff at very affordable rates off the street is not a problem anymore.
But clothes are not all, specially for girls. They need more for themselves, and that is where the jewellery comes in. Girls like spending their pocket money on funky trendy jewellery — a visit to a shop selling jewellery (of course not gold jewellery) is enough to make you fall in love with all that. “I spend half my pocket money on trendy earing and bracelets,” a 15-year-old confided. “I don’t have to buy clothes as mom takes care of them, but I can’t resist these bracelets and earings. You don’t look dressed up until you put these things on.”
One thing more, there is a lot of peer pressure to which kids some time fall prey. A young girl told me that she liked to wear the colour pink a lot, but now she is more inclined towards blue. On being asked why, she told me this: “When I used to dress in pinks my friend made fun of me. So, I had to quit it.” This is true not only with girls, it happens to boys as well. I have seen many kids whimpering literally in shops to buy something that their parents can’t afford. It’s really bad, If you do desperately want something then I would advise you to save your pocket money and then if it falls a little short ask your parents to help you buy that thing.
That’s enough of the lecture! Anyway, I have no business saying what you should buy and what you shouldn’t. Because I believe, no matter how young you are you have the right to choose things according to your desires but do seek your parents advice on it, as after all they have spent more time in the world than you.
Sorry! I could not resist myself. There is no need to buy something that others have unless you feel that you really want it.
Enjoy shopping and have fun!
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