Shopping survival tips

It's the middle of summer over here in London now, though you might not have known that due to the 16 degree weather and people wearing jumpers. It is quite pleasant though - and we have had a mini-heatwave of consecutive 24 degree days, and that co-incided with random british dudes and gals getting down to their jocks and bikinis in the park (no water within 100kms but ppl in their bikinis ... go figure!) Summer here also means sale time - which means more shopping!! (for Jen)

Shopping is absoloutely CRAZY over here - just the number of people plus tourists all adds up to a heap of ppl

The one thing that's always confused me is - why do girls like dragging guys (esp husbands, boyfriends etc) along to do the shopping with them? Guys generally have the following qualities:

1. Guys are quick when doing shopping. Girls are not.
2. Shopping is not the same as quality time. (though it should count towards getting out of other stuff u don't want to do later. e.g. "I'm not cleaning the oven today, cause I spent time watching you shop today")
3. Guys are not good with fashion
4. There is a distinct lack of guy's shops

Yet I still see these men being dragged around shops. So here goes my survival tips for shopping:

* Find a seat - preferably those ones that the shop makers have conveniently placed near the change rooms. That way u are in a prime position to see what your lady looks like in her new outifit(s) while sitting enjoying that luxurious leather - you could almost close your eyes and imagine you were at home in front of the tv ... almost. (side note: lots of other ladies tend to come out of change rooms and parade in front of the mirrors also ...)

* Make quick but thoughtful decisions about clothes - you have to be decisive if you want to get out of the shop so don't dilly dally. It either looks good or bad or average and the more you umm and err the longer you stay.

* If you've already agreed to go shopping take it in your stride - sulking doesn't acheive much once a girl has stepped into "shopping-land"!! Suddnely their supremely talented multi-tasking brains become awfully one dimensional as they get distracted by the outfits and pretty colours.