Shopping with the Spouse

By Yu Bin

Aromantic marriage is deemed to be unconditional; yet,even if in a less romantic marriage,the husband would never anticipate that shopping with his spouse could be one of the terms and conditions which he must assume.The criteria by which a good boyfriend is judged are hard to define,while those for being a good husband are definitely clear.The sense of responsibility,among others,is most valued in a relationship.The first and foremost responsibility of a husband is to serve as a shopping subordinate to his wife.

The pleasure of shopping for women is pure and exclusive,as they never exhaust the topic when dwelling on it.They might become tired of the long journey to their work,but when shopping their spirit and physical strength remain powerful regardless of if the journey is several times longer than going to work.The real essence of going shopping for them is “going around,” which means hanging out aimlessly.Men's flippant and light attitudes for shopping are disdained as they make targeted purchases before everything is done,while women shop as if they are touring a largescale expo,during which the philosophy of “no purpose yet all purpose” can best exhibit the art of living in which the result is less desired than the process.However,it's wrong to regard shopping with“no purpose” as window-shopping.Women tend to act on impulse in their consumption behaviors,so they always end up buying many more items than planned.Women are more impulsive and imaginative than men in shopping,while men are comparatively practical and utilitarian.

The significance of shopping are not to be doubted.Whether in the works from the great Chinese writer Eileen Chang (1920-95) or in the essays in various newspapers and magazines,the passion for this endeavor can be keenly kindled.Since watching and discussing a football match can be elevated to the level of enhancing our national strength,going shopping may also be considered as a stimulus to economy.Perhaps men will protest it because watching a football match is totally an act in which their wife needn't join in.They may feel fine when their wives go shopping alone,as long as they are not “kidnapped” for company.However,these justifiable remarks had better remain unannounced,for women are quite sensitive and vulnerable,and they may easily feel hurt when they hear such remarks as they sound so much like a suggestion for you and your spouse to take an independent lifestyle without bothering each other.In their mind,men are supposed to be flattered when asked to go shopping.Eventually,most husbands overcome their fear of shopping and accept their wife's request.However,the role of a shopping escort requires much more.They should remain loyal,stay focused,and vote for different items,giving comments like whether they are good or bad,worth buying or not,and which one is the best choice.Men have no right to abstain in the vote,or to keep silent,which shows their checked protest.Since a wife knows only too well about her husband,she has an acute sense for his thoughts.

As most men find shopping boring and their wife doesn't want to go single-handed,the only solution is to ask others for help.Luckily,if a wife has sisters and friends,or men have their own sisters,they can be brought together for shopping,because women are quite the same in this respect.This well-tried method works wonders,with women ending up buying more things than needed,and the support and encouragement between women would lead to many impulsive purchases.It pays,however,to save men's time and efforts.

Thanks to the advancement of internet,the popularity of online shopping has resulted in fewer trips to shops.Thus,men are more free now.