CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 72, 18 December 1937, Page 13

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Best Service Early In The Day

WELLINGTON BUSY These are busy shopping days. Every store in Wellington appears to have something somebody wants, and some of them appear to have what everyone wants. And what does everyone want at Christmas time? That is the most difficult question to answer. Half the shoppers themselves do not know what they want, and simply wander round the big shops obviously restless in mind—not able to decide whether Jacky would like a toy engine or a box of blocks.

There are those who are wise. Women with square chins march into a shop with a list, and just reel off the articles wanted, pile them all into a capacious shopping bag, and stamp out again with a "that’s that” air. Another form of wisdom is exemplified in the lady shopper who places herself in the hands of the assistant, tells her the ages and sex of the children for whom she wants presents of moderate price, and, in no time at all, is on the way with he r job of Christmas shopping done. To get the best service it is perhaps wise to shop in the morning, with the assistants fresh and unjaded. However, many women cannot get out in the morning. Thousands of these were busy last evening—a kind of prelude to Christmas Eve —but still it is wise to shop early in the day if it can be managed, as the service is brighter, and everyone has more patience and tolerance.

One young woman assistant who was consulted said she liked serving men better than women. “A man comes in, takes a glance at something, says TH have that!’, pays for it and walks out,” she said. "A woman is very different. In the first place she seldom knows what she wants or is undecided about it. Then she handles a dozen articles and asks questions about them, knowing perfectly well she is not going to buy. Then, at the bidding of a friend, she will float off to another counter and begin all over again. She says she is tired to death of shopping—she is nothing of the sort. She loves it, so don’t believe her. Then at home she tells her husband what a harassing time she has had doing her Christmas buying!” .