Shopping anxiety

[margotess]

Dear friends,
I'm trying to write an article about people who are anxious when they go into big department stores. I am interested in this topic because I've found myself unable to buy anything at big stores, only small quiet ones, online or via catalogue have become my prefered methods of shopping. I just find department stores too loud and busy and often the purchases that I do make are a big mistake. Anyone who shares the same feelings? This article is for an assignment I'm doing at university and hope that you might be able to help. I don't expect that you would like to give me your real names, but some of your experiences would be helpful material.
Best wishes.

[Jarous]

I know. When in stores with lots of people around I always feel like my shopping cart is blocking the way, I am bothering others by picking my goods too long etc. That's why I frequently buy something different from what I wanted. I also have strange trouble paying. The feeling I am too slow and thus bothersome to the others never leaves me. So I virtually never take the time to find the exact change and pay by a bigger bank note instead.

[Ghost]

I don't have a real problem with shopping in large stores. I think it feels more comfortable to me, as I am "anonymous". Small stores is ok too... I don't feel fine by roaming around alone in some stores alone though. I do feel sometimes anxious when it comes to line ups. I don't like the idea that people are waiting for me. But since recent I learned to just switch something in my head, so that I am only concentrated to what I am doing, not what is waiting or other people.

When I pay, I prefer to pay either as exact as possible (if I am able to figure out how much it will cost) or just pay big. I don't feel too comfortable paying, at times. But it is usual counting if I got my the right change back.

[Jarous]

This may sound strange, but I especially hate when the personnel comes and asks whether they can help you. I know they are trying to do their job, help me find exactly what I want and save my time but the feeling that this is one more person I will bother prevails. Moreover, you have to talk, explain and cooperate...
I prefer when I can examine all the wares by myself. But even if in doubt, say between two similar products, I will rarely ask for help.

[Placido]

I hate asking for help or having it offered, though I'm better these days.

In fact I much prefer large stores, because they're so much more anonymous. I hate it when the shopkeeper looks at you as you walk in...