AN ARTICLE REVIEW The article Addicted to the Mall is really an informative article and the language used are

simple and easy to be understood. This article is suitable for all ages of group and gender all over the world. Somehow, it lacks information on the recreational shoppers such as, the whys and wherefores these shoppers prefer shopping than other activities. From the article, we are introduced to two groups of shoppers; the recreational shoppers and the ordinary shoppers. Ordinary shoppers are normal shoppers who shop for the things that they need while recreational shoppers; according to the article; are those who shop when they feel down in the dumps or stressed, and they do not always buy something but to also enjoy the shopping experience. Nowadays people are facing a lot of problems in their life; in their work, studies or even marriage. Therefore these people handle their stress by shopping and window shopping. I am not going to speak with a forked tongue; I have to admit that I am one of them. I think I am a recreational shopper because I love to go to Jusco in Ayer Keroh Melaka whenever I have the time. I do not shop all the time; that would make me a shopaholic, I sometimes have a drink at the Coffee Bean or go and watch the latest movies by my favourite actors. I certainly do not want to miss their action! My family also loves to spend their time at the shopping malls. We love going to a family outing and have a bowling game at Mahkota Parade, Melaka. After the game, we would quench our thirst at the Secret Recipe; where they have a large range of drinks, beverages and I can have my favourite cheese cake. I agree with the article that the shopping mall represents happiness and fulfillment. After a hard day at work or a rough week; the mall is the place you want to be. There is a saying which goes, East or West, home is best but for these recreational shoppers; the mall is like their home. According to the psychologist; these shoppers are usually younger, less self-confident and more often female. This is not surprising as we all know that female and shopping is as thick as thieves. Women are those who spend a lot of money on shopping for unnecessary things as they are more emotional and sensitive than men. The article stated that by shopping, these recreational shoppers are out of their element yet feel stressed at home thus

they believe and feel that shopping can make them feel contented. By buying one thing, their negative feeling flies away and they feel very satisfied. It is also stated that the recreational shoppers are mostly young people. I agree with that as back in the earlier days; there were not as many shopping malls as we have today. Young people back then, entertained themselves by fishing, swimming in the river or playing cards with friends. Young people these days have been brought to shopping malls by their parents since they were small and instantly fall in love with it. It offers more than just what people can imagine. Small children love to go there because there are toys sold there; plus there is an amusement park in the shopping mall! Teenagers can catch movies with their friends at the cinema or playing video games at the Game Arcade. We can always see this group age of people at the mall; grabbing a cup of coffee at the Coffee Bean which provide not only a coffee to die for but also free internet access. It is like killing two birds with one stone; you can enjoy your coffee, spending time with your peers and surfing the internet at the same time. Shopping malls are also situated near houses, offices and schools thus these are places which not only offer fun and excitement, situated not far from housing areas but also offers lots of other services which are very convenient. Recreational shoppers are not necessary those who are less self-confident or a lone wolf as what the article stated. I totally do not think that recreational shoppers are less self-confident. If they do not have self-confidence, they would probably stay at home alone rather than spending their time in a public area. There are even families who love to spend their time together at the mall; parents who have been working their socks off all day long; so by the end of the day, the mall is in their favour compared to parks or beaches to bring their kids to have a little excitement in their life. Shopping Malls these days; besides comfortable and fully air conditioned; provide everything a man could wish for; restaurants, clean toilets, musolla, coffee houses, cinemas, shoe stores, bowling centre and even a ski ring! There are also mini banks in shopping malls which provide ATM machines, cash and cheque deposits machine. One does not need to line up at the bank to pay bills anymore; they can do it at the mall!

There are many reasons why people nowadays are recreational shoppers and love going to shopping malls these days; because they can do more than shopping! Mothers; especially young mothers love shopping malls as besides shopping for their toddlers clothes and needs; shopping malls these days also provide ba by rooms for mothers to breastfeed their babies and change their diapers. Plus, they can loosen up for a while after a tiring stroll with their kids and babies. Those who love to sing can sing as many songs as they want at the karaoke centre in the shopping mall such as the Red Box karaoke centre and lots of activities can be done at the shopping mall. Besides families and teenagers, couples in love are among the frequent visitors of the shopping mall. They have their meals there, watch movies together, go for a bowling and even buy diamond rings for their wedding at the shopping mall as there are jewellery stores in most shopping malls. When the article mentioned about recreational shoppers did unusual things while they shop, I do not think I agree with that. It should explain more and clarifies what are the unusual things that recreational shoppers do while they shop. Besides that, it also mentions that many recreational shoppers pretend that they are different people with different lives. Well, I might probably fifty percent agree of that. Those who pretend most probably are the teenagers or young people who love to rub their shoulders with their friends who are from the top of the drawer. They might pretend that they are also from a well-off family so they can hang out together with them. The author also wrote that the psychologist claimed that the recreational shoppers are more interested in material things and have less self-control. I do not agree with that as recreational shopping is not just about buying things and spend a bomb on it; but also spending the time with our loved ones. Recreational shopping is a new way of life; it is considered a part of the culture in urban areas nowadays. People seldom jog or cycle anymore to spend their leisure time. Sports are outdated hobby, shopping is a new hobby. The world has changed, people are changing and so are their lifestyles. I do not view recreational shopping as giving a negative impact to the society; it helps to improve the economy! Recreational shoppers do not have less self-control; shopaholics do! The shopaholics are different from recreational shopper as they shop till they drop; they are addicted to buying things without realizing that they are riding a fall. Shopaholics buy things they are dying for although the things are worth a kings ransom!

The last sentence of the article questioned the readers whether recreational shopping will later be an addiction such as smoking or drinking; leaving the readers to think of the possibilities whether recreational shopping might be as an additive as those two addictions. Well in my opinion, there is not a fighting chance that people will be addicted to shopping like how people are addicted to smoking or drinking. I think it is mainly because people will not feel so happy when they see their credit card bill and later become a lame duck. In addition, these shoppers will not have all the time in the world as they also have other things to do besides shopping. Workers have their work to be done, students have classes to attend, and mothers are busy being mothers so I do not see that shopping will be an addiction to most people like smoking. It might be additive to the shopaholics; just like Elle in the Shopaholic movie, but not to most people. I am sure that people today know the best for them and by being a recreational shopper they are at ease and feel happy. In a nut shell, recreational shopping is a new way of life and most of us are recreational shoppers without realizing it.

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Thomas J. Stanley & william D. Danko (2010). The Millionaire Next Door : The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy. Taylor Trade Publishing, America.
Stephen Williams (1995). Outdoor recreation and the urban environment. Mackay of Chantham Publishing, Britain.

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