Here Come The Holiday Crowds

[DDNatureLover]

I used to love being in the stores when they were crowded, when a chill was in the air, and Christmas music was playing. Back then, I had money, and also had my health. I didn't mind the crowds because I was anonymous, Even when I was shopping with close friends, it was fun, and I enjoyed seeking out special gifts for loved ones. Fast forward to now, when I don't have money, am dealing with chronic pain, and am more nervous about strangers after having a stalker latch onto me. 


I will still do some Christmas shopping in person, and will enjoy it, but only a store or two at a time, with plenty of time to rest in between. I find that it now takes me longer to recuperate not only physically, but also emotionally, after being out among others. I do the majority of my shopping online, and when I do shop in person, I try to schedule my trips for when there will be less people around, and less traffic on the roads. Eventually, I'd like to move to an area that is less populated, so that I could do more shopping in person, and go out more.


Will you do any Black Friday shopping? Do you mind being out in the crowds, or do you avoid them? 

 

[Jasmin Cottontail]

I usually avoid huge crowds whenever I go shopping. The usual day that there will be lots of shoppers in our place is every Friday that's why I see to it that I won't go out that day because the traffic would be crazy as well as there are a lot of shoppers everywhere and I don't like to be in places where there are huge crowds. That's why since Christmas is coming, I see to it that I buy gifts for Christmas before December so I won't have to deal with huge crowds and rush shopping.

 

[Alex]

I prefer to be away from crowds, as I used to work in a department store and it was always a nightmare just trying to get back to my counter. They are good for stores, but not the sanity. I can handle them as long as I know where I am going, but I hate aisles that are packed with end displays that people knock over or children that run around screaming. I don't feel it's a pleasant shopping experience, and I would rather be online shopping.


My sanity is worth more than the savings at times!

 

[Alexandoy]

I hate crowds not only in shopping but in any place with lots of people.  That's the reason why I am choosy with beach resorts. Boracay is a very popular resort in our country but I haven't been there yet due to the crowd there. There are malls here that are not too crowded and you can guess that's where I go to. This Christmas season,  I already excused myself in shopping so I can be at peace in our home. My wife wil do the shopping alone.

 

[DDNatureLover]

@Alexandoy Is there an off season for Boracay? If so, perhaps you can schedule a visit then, when it's less likely to be crowded. There are several tourist locations nearby where I live, and the traffic can get to be a bit much, which is another reason I prefer the Fall and Winter. It seems during the Spring (especially around Spring Break and Kappa Week) and Summer, traffic picks up, both on the roads and also in the stores and restaurants.

I used to love being in crowded stores, especially on Christmas Eve, because I'd have all of my shopping finished already, like @Jasmin Cottontail, but I'd leave one item for last minute, so I could feel the rush of excitement and anticipation. The item I'd leave for last though was typically one for myself, so if I didn't find the right thing, it didn't matter, and no one would be disappointed.

 

[Alexandoy]

@Alexandoy Is there an off season for Boracay? If so, perhaps you can schedule a visit then, when it's less likely to be crowded. There are several tourist locations nearby where I live, and the traffic can get to be a bit much, which is another reason I prefer the Fall and Winter. It seems during the Spring (especially around Spring Break and Kappa Week) and Summer, traffic picks up, both on the roads and also in the stores and restaurants.

I used to love being in crowded stores, especially on Christmas Eve, because I'd have all of my shopping finished already, like @Jasmin Cottontail, but I'd leave one item for last minute, so I could feel the rush of excitement and anticipation. The item I'd leave for last though was typically one for myself, so if I didn't find the right thing, it didn't matter, and no one would be disappointed.

To be honest, I don't know much about Boracay in spite of it being the most popular beach resort in our country. With the off season, it is during the rainy season from June to September although the vacancy cannot be promised because even when there is a storm, the probability of a crowd is still there. My sister-in-law was there one time during a typhoon and they got stranded for 2 days more. Would you believe that my uncle who came for a short vacation from the US (he is an American citizen) asked me and my wife to go with him to Boracay, all expenses to be paid by him. Some 10 of our relatives were with him. But I declined because of the crowd. And I wasn't wrong because my other relatives told me when they came back that there were too many people that they did not enjoy the beach.

 

[fuzyon]

I don't really mind crowds of people if they're not obnoxious, I can see why it would be annoying for you due to health problems. I'm still at a young-ish age so going out with friends in crowded locations isn't that much of an impediment, in fact I enjoy the "coziness" groups of people bring, especially now that it's snowy outside and the Holiday season is starting out.

 

[Jester85]

I work in retail, and the Christmas season is not exactly my favorite time of the year. While my social anxiety isn't too debilitating for the most part, there are days when it really flares up and the neverending lines of shoppers threatens to get a bit overwhelming and I'm practically scrambling out the door at the end of my shift.

Also, like fuzyon said above me, I enjoy coziness of being secluded in the house with the snow and cold and darkness outside.

 

[Lyndra]

My Black Friday shopping was done online, but I'm dreading going into the rush to buy Christmas presents. I may end up getting them all through Amazon.

Fast forward to now, when I don't have money, am dealing with chronic pain, and am more nervous about strangers after having a stalker latch onto me.

That sounds like natural caution, after all if you get jostled it is likely to hurt. It is just a shame it has spoiled something you enjoyed. Could you find a group to shop with who might be able to help keep some space around you?

 

[janemariesayed]

Years ago I used to be quite outgoing but I have changed in recent years. Now I feel agoraphobic and hate going out. If there were no people outside, then I don't think I would mind it so much. If there was a way to never see anyone ever again, I would go for it. It kind of takes the fun out of shopping, though. Thankfully they invented computers so now we can do it all online. But then again, it still isn't the same as going out to look around the shops. I'm hoping my therapist can help me through that and to like going out again.