Shopping - reversion back to hunter/gatherer or a necessary part of the mating ritual

Tom Dunne

Real Men don't do shopping, fact. But men do. Look around any supermarket/shopping center and you will see men.

No, seriously. Most are not there by choice, dragged along like some petulant child, going through the motions, always mindful of the fact that there is no correct answer to "Does my behind look big in this?".

But are they really not there by choice? Do men really go shopping under duress? Or are men reverting back to their hunter/gatherer roots, playing out some primeval role, foraging for sustenance. Or perhaps they are enduring the torment of shopping for the reward at the end in the shape of intimate relations with the Significant Other who is on a high after purchasing yet another pair of shoes, three tops and a set of saucepan that would be a shame to leave behind because they match the new toaster?

So,I put it to the Brethren - Shopping - reversion back to hunter/gatherer or a necessary part of the mating ritual?

star-pants

Interesting topic Tom, and it requires a lot of thought and circumstance.

As you say shopping with the OH is sometimes necessary for happy relations. For example - my parents went out and came back with a matching kettle & toaster (when we had perfectly good ones). His reason was that it wasn't worth the effort to not buy them, and her reason was that they both match the fridge and will look nice when the new kitchen went in.

But the hunter/gather aspect also applies in the following case, again parents gone out to hardware store as there's a sale on or something needed. Dad comes back with lots of random stuff, that may have no current use 'but might find a use for' and 'I'd have paid 60 quid and I got it all for under a fiver' etc. Mother thus bored out of her tree in said shop and thinks the purchases are pointless.

So in a sense sometimes the female half makes the male half put up with certain shopping items/places and vice versa.

Most of the men's shopping would be necessary shopping, like running out of food, needing new clothes, wanting gadgets and bits of DIY. Other shopping times are out of mating ritual too, spending time with the OH and wanting perhaps to treat them or make them happy.

Hmm so my thoughts on your question is a mix of hunter/gatherer with mating ritual, and a small % of random other reasons.

Zaph

As a single man almost all my shopping is, by definition, for essentials. I say almost, I enjoy shopping for books, music, DVDs, etc., basically stuff to entertain me. But as regards the remaining non-entertainment shopping, it will be done when it needs to be done, i.e. I need new jocks, I'm out of food, etc. And even though purchasing these items will make my life better once I have acquired the items in question, I despise and resent the whole process. So do engage in it for non-essential items whilst in the company of a wimmins, it stands to reason that I must only be tolerating it for my own selfish ends. I'll have my steak before the BJ please love.

trout

I went shopping with mrs trout once, about 14 years ago. We got an engagement ring.

Since then, we've enjoyed a somewhat traditional relationship; I take care of the bins, lighting fires, discipline, incident handling and perimeter security ... mrs trout pretty much takes care of everything else, including shopping.

The only things I shop for are bukes and gadgets.

macho_man

I must have been female in a former life! I love shopping even when I have no money! I regulary go into the city and mooch round the shops, not even buying anything. But I also take pride in being able to get the bext value things and do the food shopping in the shortest time, with the least ammount of effort. I can probably get round tescos buying 50 items, pay for them and get back to the car in less time than most women!

Zaph

macho_man wrote: »

I must have been female in a former life! I love shopping even when I have no money! I regulary go into the city and mooch round the shops, not even buying anything. But I also take pride in being able to get the bext value things and do the food shopping in the shortest time, with the least ammount of effort. I can probably get round tescos buying 50 items, pay for them and get back to the car in less time than most women!

I find your user name amusingly ironic

macho_man

LOL that's why I chose it! The thing with t'interweb can be anyhting or anyone you want!

Gaspode

I do shop alone on occassion, but as with most men its the tactical, quick strike approach that is used. Get in, get what you want, get out quickly.

Bit like my approach to sex now that I think of it.

trout

deswalsh wrote: »

I do shop alone on occassion, but as with most men its the tactical, quick strike approach that is used. Get in, get what you want, get out quickly.

Bit like my approach to sex now that I think of it.

What ... you have sex alone too ? :pac:

banshee_bones

sooooo....... you say that your onlly there under duress....


*thinks.....*


so...emm... who picks out your clothes for you? are you saying that your OH or your mother picks out and buys all your clothes for you???



wow.... from looking around Topman last week it would seem that guys do go there! to shop! WITHOUT any women in tow ..

oh NO! some men like shopping! oh the world is going to end.

:rolleyes:

Agent Smith

i go shopping when i need somthing.


other then that. Online all the way. i hate shopping so much it pains me!

Rhyme

trout wrote: »

What ... you have sex alone too ? :pac:

Think about it.

Rarely shop but if i do it's by myself. I have taken girlfriends shopping before, much to their surprise.

banshee_bones

yeah i dont imagine anyone in here would believe me if i told them that a straight male friend of mine dragged me around clothes shopping only last week....

trout

Rhyme wrote: »

Think about it.

Rarely shop but if i do it's by myself. I have taken girlfriends shopping before, much to their surprise.

surprise shopping eh ?

interesting

banshee_bones

trout wrote: »

surprise shopping eh ?

interesting

LOL ...brilliant

Fratton Fred

I tend to lend a hand with the old weekly tesco shop. it works out a lot cheaper that way. She puts in Tesco Finest organic cous cous, or other such long haired soap dodging vegetarian bollox, I take it out and replace it with tesco value coleslaw/Fullers london Pride and so on and so on.

It is also the best way to ensure we don't end up buying "Be Good to Yourself/count on us" bacon rashers which are, as the name would suggest, sh1te.

I had to pay a visit to Dundrum this weekend as my last remaiing pair of jeans finally gave up the ghost. although i found their new form quite handy for scratching my nads whilst watching match of the day, it was starting to scare the cat so i gave in and paid the Pepe shop a visit. two pairs of jeans should mean no more visit to that horrid place for another 12 months.

Rod & Reel

My job as a Butcher brings me into contact with a lot of women having to shopping on a sunday or a monday(my day off is monday) is as appealing as pouring vinegar in my eye.

Clothes shopping "Mrs Rod if u see anything that mite suit me will ya pick it up for me please"

Present shopping "Mrs Rod if u see sumtin my mother mite like for her birthday will ya pick it up for me please"

Food shopping "Mrs Rod whats for dinner"

Answer usually been "No prob Mr Rod and ull be late all next week due to the overtime ul be doing"

We belive in equality