January 20, 2008
Shopping on vacation: waste of time or good way to experience a country?
This entry started off as comment on my entry about how hard it is to get a tax refund after shopping in the EU.
I think it brings up a question entirely unrelated to that post though, so I decided to make it a standalone blog entry and see if you also feel it is worth discussing.
The question: Is shopping a good vacation activity?
Now the obvious answer is that it will be good for some and not so good for others depending on individual interests. But some readers seem to think that when I go on vacation there are better ways to spend my time and money than looking to buy nice clothes.
The comments that got me started were:
You must be nuts and VERY materialistic. Give me a break, Next time enjoy the country not the stores. Have a hard time feeling sorry for you.
Did you go shopping or did you go to meet the people and get to know them. Instead of staying in hotels stay at "zimmer frei" and you will get the most for your money and make friends for life. We tried getting our tax money back at Frankfurt one time and no one informed us we had to have the purchases with us. The agent stamped our receipts anyway and we made our way to the place to get our money. That said, it wasn't hardly worth it. All I read from your postings was how expensive everything was and your food was too expensive and the hotels were too expensive and the shopping was too expensive. Two hints: Don't go shopping and don't eat at expensive restaurants. Look for out of the way places and go to the small towns. If you don't have enough money to do it right, STAY HOME!!! An 18 trip to Europe Traveler!!!
Starting with the Jane Doe comment, I'm not crazy enough to argue that I'm not nuts and I don't ask anyone to feel sorry for me so no discussion there.
The bit about being materialistic though seemed important to me. I am materialistic and I don't see anything wrong with my vacation reflecting that. Let's say I need to wear a suit to work. I can choose to wear a cheap suit or a designer suit. I don't think too many people will say that choosing the designer suit is wrong. And since so many designers are European it makes sense to me that you might want to check out the choices if you happen to be in Europe.
This brings me to Jane Doe's bit about enjoying the country and not just the stores. Why can't you do both? I'd like to refer you to travelfan's comments about Zurich and how the stores on pedestrian streets are a great attraction (many long time readers will find it ironic that I use travelfan's comment to support my argument when we have had so many disagreements in the past).
What I'm trying to say is that the stores are part of the country. When you enjoy the pedestrian shopping streets in Zurich you are experiencing Switzerland. Sure there's more (I don’t ski and I missed the coffee museum in Zurich for example) but the stores are an important part of a visit to Zurich. The same is probably true for visits to most cities.
Then we have Lou's comment. He asked "Did you go shopping or did you go to meet the people and get to know them?" He also advises "Don't go shopping..."
Actually, I think that walking the streets and visiting the shops helps me meet people. After a few hours of shopping we've talked to lots of people but after a few hours in a museum we probably haven't talked to anyone. We also see miles of streets and thousands of people as we walk around.
So I disagree with people who say it is better not to shop while on vacation, especially when we're talking about my vacation. For people who enjoy shopping it's a great way to see the city (we spent hours wandering the streets every day despite occasionally sore feet), meet people (we didn't make any lifelong friends but we weren't really looking to either), pick up a few words of the local language, and see some of the local culture (assuming you visit shops that locals - and not just tourists - visit).
It can certainly be overdone and there is certainly a huge amount of personal preference here. I know I spent more time in shoe stores than I would have liked but if I'm with my wife - and she's happy trying on shoes - I can be happy too (for a while anyway).
If shopping is what you and your wife enjoy, then why not do it. It is, after all, your vacation and your money, and a matter of personal preference how you spend it. I've found shopping in local shops preferable to large department stores, simply because you can meet a few people, try to converse in their language, and get the real flavor of the city or town. Perhaps that is why I prefer discovering things on my own - just not a follow the leader type person. I might not have gone through the hassle of getting the refunds, but again - each to his own!
Posted by: Sharon at January 20, 2008 3:21 PMThose comments are so funny. Of course shopping is a great vacation activity. Who hasn't gone on vacation and came home with leather shoes, rugs, pottery, jewelry, etc? People have been doing that since the first explorers left their homelands and traded with others.
I like to go shopping on vacation. Not exclusively, and not the touristy spots. Its a great way to meet locals and to see differences in culture.
A vacation is a highly personal experience. Some like to travel with backpacks on shoulders, others only stay at the finest hotels. Some people want to see every musuem in town, and others would groan and pout if you took them to even one musuem.
Do whatever makes you and your travel partners happy.
I think if you can use your shopping experience to get to know more of the culture and the locals, it's a great idea. I once spent several hours in Italy looking for a hair (blow)dryer. We met & talked with helpful "locals" and learned more conversational Italian during the process.
Posted by: Deb at January 21, 2008 4:35 PMI find that when I wear a pice of jewelry someone comments on, or someone looks at a piece of artwork I brought home, and comments on it, it opens the door to a flood of great memories, and a chance to talk about a great vacation. That's why people shop when on vacation. Not just to be "materialistic" but to hold on to memories of those great times as well.
Posted by: Linda Bator at January 22, 2008 12:45 PMSince I was discussed, I'd like to defend myself. I enjoy this blog when it discusses travel. I get really irked when someone tries to use their blog for political discussions instead. I noticed that you are sticking more to travel and that is good and saves arguments. A travel blog should be about travel.
Travel is a very personal experience. If you want to shop, then shop. However, if there is some flaw in the suit or whatever you bought, there's no returning it.
I agree with the person that you should do and buy what you love and when people comment on it, you get the added bonus of discussing your trip and reliving it again.
Posted by: travelfan at January 22, 2008 4:37 PMI enjoy seeing the sights and the stores. A great way to buy ahead Christmas or birthday gifts.
Posted by: Linda at January 23, 2008 3:15 PMI agree with Linda Bator and travelfan....discussing your trip and reliving the memories is such fun. I also get many compliments on my jewelry etc. I have never traveled anywhere that I haven't shopped too. It's just part of the trip.
Posted by: Penny at January 23, 2008 5:29 PMI love to visit supemarkets (or whatever passes) and department stores. Not necessarily to buy, but because no place tells me more about how people live than these stores that are a part of their everyday lives. I love sampling strange packaged foods, especially snack and dessert items.
Posted by: Michael Ellis at January 23, 2008 5:46 PM(I'm a 32y male from Texas. Single)
I didn't read the original discussion, but I myself think shopping on vacation is not only alright, but can be a good idea. The British for two Christmas's running have been taking advantage of the weak dollar and coming to NY to shop. At 1 pound for two dollars, it's a great way to finally see NY while picking up high priced gifts much cheaper then back home. Remember, American Tech is much more expenisive in Europe, even when the dollar was strong.
I of course love to shop overseas as well, especially Asia. I can get custom made suits in Thailand for 100-300 depending on the material, any style you can think of. All I have to do is point to a suit in any catalog and they can make it exact. It takes about 4-5 vistits over 4-5 days to get them completly done from start to finish, but that means there perfect. Silk shirts are also 3 for 25 and I have three expensive looking Winter coats that should have cost 1000 but only cost me 150 each. I'm pimping for cheap. :)
(They also make Women's clothes too. Just bring a catalog or picture. The best tailors in Thialand are from India.)
I also hit the night market in Bangkok for super deals. It' packed full of Asians, I almost never see a white face. All of them want to stop and chat with me, and because they are there to shop as well, there not trying to chat and scam, but really chat. It's great! They are also helpful. Just by asking what they paid for what they have in there hands, I can find out what I should then pay. Great trick.
I could go on and on country by country, but I think I already made a few good points. Shop on!
Posted by: Ryan Kirk at January 24, 2008 2:54 AMIf you know me, you know that my motto is "there's mo(re)at the sto(re)". Trading and giving gifts provide the face to face interaction we as humans so desparately need. I sit now huddled alone in my apartment dreaming of my upcoming vacation to Mumbai where I intend to get my "sho-nuff" haggle on. I am thinking new 22k gold ear rings, what about you?
Posted by: Cathy Broadus at January 26, 2008 1:07 AM