SALE SALE SALE !!!
You can’t escape these hoardings telling people that I am on! This word definitely triggers some kind of reaction in each of us, especially if you are a female.
Having said this, I would admit that I am one shopaholic whose antennas look for a signal like this and catches it faster than it becomes viral. I think ‘sale’ should be declared as an additional season to spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. In Pune, Monsoon and sale begins almost at the same time, bringing double the amount of joy in everyone’s life. From a new born to a teenager to an adult to middle aged to a senior citizen, sale gives everyone a reason to smile.
It is so exciting to be a part of the crazy crowd that comprises of what I call as ‘sale strollers’ who wanders aimlessly and pick things they think ‘might’ be needed. On the contrary, there are many who are the ‘sale experts’ and knows exactly from where to buy. But what to buy is not a definitive list. However, there is some percentage of the crowd I describe as ‘sale focused’ who knows what they want and spend their entire time finding the best deal for the items on their list.
The overall experience of visiting the shopping malls in this season is very colorful. The innovative captions, decorations and deals do drive in the temptation to stopover at different stores. The trial and billing queues can be believed to be longer than the queues in temples like Shirdi, Vaishno Devi or Tirupathi. During this period, there is an unsaid acceptance of the saying ‘every man on himself’. You can spot a group of people walking into a store together but they would all be scattered within no time. You can also hear people calling their friends and family by names, shouting from different aisles wanting to have an opinion. In such cases, a response is either not received or is usually a quick nod.
Interestingly, one can easily read the expressions of the shoppers. Say, a very big smile is indicative that someone has been lucky to find right items with good deals and most importantly right sizes in case of clothes. In contrast, frustrated looks can easily convey an unfortunate timing. A Determined expression would tell that the person is not throwing in the towel yet and will keep fighting the battle unless something is found. An artificial smile would say that others in the group have been luckier and understanding that gardens are not made by sitting in a corner.
I particularly like to notice the people who accompany others without any personal motive of shopping. Such people generally look tired but try to maintain a smile, are seen holding a lot of hangers or shopping bag, matching to the pace of the shopper, engrossed in mobile outside the trial rooms or resting themselves whenever and wherever they can. Though majority of these victims are the husbands, but could also be wives, parents or friends in some cases.
Apart from this, sale is also a good period to test an individual’s tolerance, patience, judgment, mathematics and above all love. Trust me, sale can break or make a strong relationship, all you need to know is what you want and make the most of it. Not only this, sale also encourages charity by giving away the old items for making way for the new arrivals. Sale has so much to offer for everyone.
Sale is indeed one of the seasons I enjoy the most; full of life, energy, colors, excitement and above all – a great stress buster 🙂
