When I was growing up and my mother, sister and I would go shopping we always hit the sale racks first. Remember: this was WAY before the days of the "wait five minutes and it will got on sale" trend and mentality. During that time the major department stores only had 3 or 4 main sales a year. So when we would went to a store we would make our selections, try the pieces on in that store's dressing rooms (none of this buy it now/return it later stuff either). Then we would proudly take our prizes home where we would show my dad everything we bought. Mother would emphasize that each item had been marked down once, twice, maybe even three times. He would ALWAYS (yes, you can make money on this bet) respond by saying "These sales are going to kill me!" while rolling his eyes.
Contrast that scenario with the following: We shopped mostly at two stores with Sears being one of them. Dad would usually go with us for the annual fall shopping spree to get new shoes and school clothes. PAY ATTENTION! This is a very important life lesson I learned early on and have utilized this secret countless times throughout my days at home and my married life. For example: Say during this family event I had picked out two tops, a skirt, a pair of pants and a dress. I would go into the dressing room, put on one of the tops and the skirt, go back out into the store where my dad was waiting and I would model them for him. He would tilt his head, tell me to turn around, ask me how they fit. Then I would repeat the process until he had seen each piece. He would do that for my sister as well. Then there would be a family conference as to what would be bought. And you know what? Nine times out of ten we were allowed to take home all of the things we tried on and liked. There was no talk of "this is going to kill me". Not one little peep. So we would smile, say thank you and skip all the way to the car.
I have found that works with my husband as well. If he is not with us on a shopping expedition whether it be for clothes, shoes, household goods, athletic equipment, food, whatever he will question selections, price, choices, reasons. But if he is with us he will offer to buy more than our immediate need or expectations.
Hmmmm. Sounds like there is a method to the madness after all. Conduct your own experiment. See how well this works for you. You think this is sly? I'm not sneaking anything into the house under his nose. Manipulative? I'm not bargaining or threatening bodily harm or throwing a tantrum. Nope, nothing like that. Just common sense I guess. The whole key is to involve the male when he is interested. Lay out the why's and pro's. And VOILA! POOF! Your wish is fulfilled!! What's not to love? (Psst ~ add a hug, kiss and a "thank you". Appreciation is always appreciated.)
