Brought to you by Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
“You want to go shopping together? That’s great…”
No matter how much you love your other half, the prospect of going shopping together is enough to strike terror into the hearts of most lads. OK, so we won’t pretend that it’s going to be fun. And you’ll probably spend half the day fantasising about all the other things you could be doing.
Still, it doesn’t have to be a hellish experience. It’s not like you’re going to war and the whole experience is unlikely to leave you with too many psychological scars!
So what can you do to make it as painless as humanly possible?
Don’t refuse to go
Refusing to go isn’t a brave affirmation of your civil rights. You’re not going to be immortalised with an arty poster or a statue. Just suck it up, avoid a pointless argument, and think of the brownie points.
Pick a good place to go
Find somewhere that has something for both of you, whether that’s dedicated men’s shops or unisex stores. Being able to pop into a sports shop, a record store or a gadget shop will break things up and act as a handy pressure valve if you’re feeling the strain! You might even find something that you like.
Get involved
Realistically, they didn’t invite you along because they’re a sadist. They want your input so offer an opinion if you can. And if you keep offering enthusiastic but unqualified opinions, they might even suggest that you do your own thing and leave them in peace..!
Don’t fixate on how they shop
Ok, so you normally get everything you need within an hour and they’re going through the same rack of clothes for the third time in 30 minutes. Breathe. Just accept that everyone does things differently and try to find a happy place.
Take a tactical approach
It doesn’t hurt to be clever about how you do things. Stopping for lunch can kill a good hour of shopping time but hold off until they’re weak, hungry and ready for an extended sit-down before you suggest it. Do it too early and they’ll scoff something down and get back to the task with renewed vigour.
Keep topped up with food and drink
Traipsing around shops with a rumbling stomach or a dry mouth is a pretty good way to put yourself in a terrible mood. Keep yourself topped up throughout the day. Besides, having a drink or a snack in your hand is a perfect excuse to wait outside the shop. That way, you’ll get a break from following them around like an overgrown, awkward puppy.
Have plenty of distractions
Make sure your phone is charged and stocked up with digital distractions like streaming apps, live goal updates and even good ol’ Facebook. You’ll need them all to get you through those down periods when they’re totally engrossed in what they’re doing but you still have to hang around.
Do pick your battles
Huffing your way through the day like a grumpy teenager will only make you both miserable. Getting through this will require some give and take. You’re kind of obliged to hang around for certain things but there will be opportunities to peel off or explore the men’s section so just enjoy the moments that you can.
Do plan something afterwards
Suggest a 6pm film in a nearby cinema or make a booking for dinner. It’s a good way to establish a shopping deadline and it’ll give you something to look forward to when the shopping finally ends.
Liffey Valley is a one-stop shopping destination for the ultimate dining, fashion, and beauty experience. With over 80 stores to choose from and over 20 restaurants to keep you fuelled, it’s a fashionista’s shopping paradise!
Liffey Valley’s new Western Plaza will leave any foodie spoilt for choice and there’s something to tickle every taste bud. For more information on Liffey Valley, check out their website or visit their Facebook page.
Brought to you by Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
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