MEN AND WOMEN SHOPPERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19783, 7 May 1926, Page 7

MEN AND WOMEN SHOPPERS.

(By Lady Ford, in the Daily Mail.) Who make the best shoppers, men or women? This question is of more than academic interest to most households, es pecially to the breadwinner. Does his partner get good value, or could he do better himself? T 1 instinct to garner ter immediate and future wants is a strong feminine trait in all animals Doubtless that is why the shopping instinct is more developed in woman than in man. Again,

the bargain instinct is stronger in women. The success of crowded sales proves that. in dress women appear extravagant, especially to bachelors. Subject to every gust of fashion, her clothes are outdated Fong before they have rendered service proportional to cost. But in spite of this a gill with her own allowance will stock her wardrobe with more judgment and economy, ami make a far better show, than her father or husband would if he had laid out twice that amount for her A man knows just what he wants bef : -2 entering a shop, and buys that and nothin, else. He may inwardly demur at the price, but will seldom bargain. In

tact, his bargain sense is not always on a par with his judgment. In his place, his wife would nave done better, laugh he ever sc softly at her bargain sales! Men have not half the nerve and diplomacy women have in securing a bargain. There is one phase of shopping peculiar to women, a weaknesi peculiarly feminine. That is ’’shopping’ as a pas time. In other words, “shopping” without buying. A harmless amusement if it stops at that, however doubtful the benefit ‘ trade! The danger is that such philandering may lead to running up bills for unwanted goods, trifles, perhaps, but bad bargains at any price if unnecessary.

I in drew, household, utd domestic ahojtpuig, -ud all that really matter* is a home, a woman will get better raise sod be more economical than a roan She will prove the more expert shopper, not only because it is a large part of her daily business to spend the money made bv the man, but because ehe it endowed by nature with the instinct of acquisitiveness peculiar to her sex throughout the animal kingdom