Do you hate it, or love it?

By Ruhanie Perera and Laila Nasry

Shopping - the word that makes most women jump up with delight and causes some men to groan with despair. All the same with Christmas round the corner shopping is on top of the 'things-to-do' list. Here's what the shoppers themselves had to say:

Safra Ahmed, (20):

I don't go shopping for the slightest excuse, but I do enjoy it. I do a lot of shopping when I'm depressed - it makes me happy buying things for myself. I do buy stuff for others as well. If I'm visiting a friend for Christmas I would buy her....maybe a card and a box of chocolates. What I buy depends on the occasion. Any occasion deserves a card - there is always a long list during Christmas. One thing I hate about shopping is when I can't decide what to buy. Especially when there are lots of nice things and you can't get everything - unfortunately you can't buy the whole shop.

Mariesze Sepion, (20):

Christmas isn't complete without shopping. Naturally I'm the most important person on my list. But I do spare a thought for the others. There is a lot of strategic planning involved when I go shopping. I go by bus because there is too much traffic and I take a cab back because there are too many parcels to carry. The price is not all that of a problem. Because if I really want something I don't mind spending a little extra. Cards are a problem for I never seem to find the perfect one but that doesn't stop me. What gets on my nerves when shopping is these "sale" signs. They just put the price up 15per cent and then bring it down 10 percent.

Dharika Selvadurai,(20):

I'm not a last minute person when it comes to shopping. I plan out my shopping early. But I don't have any idea on what to get for others, which results in me picking up totally expensive stuff, while my sisters get the best bargains in town. I just don't happen to see the sale boards!

I'm lavish in my gift giving and I expect lavish gifts back which doesn't always happen specially when it comes to the gifts from my sisters. The most important person on my list is my mom. This year I plan to get her something sentimental and as usual I have no idea what! I hate shopping alone, I feel like I'm going to get pick pocketed. I don't like to go to crowded places but I don't mind going with a crowd.

Danuja Perera, (20):

I go shopping not just when it's the season, but it's not always that I buy stuff. What I hate about shopping is that there is too much to choose from and I can't decide for myself. And since I like going shopping alone, it's the shop keeper who decides for me in the end. But when I go home and look at the stuff I bought I don't like it and I feel bad. Going shopping with friends hardly works out because nobody's free at the same time, so in the end it's my mum who drops and picks me. I believe in buying good stuff for others. I care about my friends so I believe in giving them the best.

Chanaka Wijeratne, (20):

I go shopping either to get myself something or just to waste time. I usually go to ODEL, Majestic City or Liberty Plaza. I go shopping alone because I hate it when people tell me what to buy. My mum has long given up coming with me. I mostly shop for myself but sometimes I shop for friends and when I do I go in for quality stuff. This of course results in me going over the budget but hey what the heck! When it comes to cards if I don't get what I like I make my own. What really gets to me about shopping is the fact that you find the same item duplicated in different colours in practically all the shops.

Lalindra Ranaweera (19)

I'm into impulse buying. I don't plan or do anything. I just walk in and get things. Generally it's for me sometimes for my brother. I'm from Kandy so I shop there as well. There it's usually Palayakaps or Sri Murugen, here it's ODEL or House of Fashion.

I generally go shopping alone because I need to take my own time. I'm kind of choosy. The sales people at these shops know and when I walk in they give me this look like 'oh here comes that guy'. But they do know what I'm looking for which is helpful. The bad thing about the whole exercise is that it's tiring and costly.

Adnan Sabireen,(20):

Of course I'll go shopping this season if I have enough money. I don't particularly enjoy it, but if I have to do it I just do it. I don't go and get stuck which is what I hate about the whole exercise, unlike my sisters who enjoy it in grand style. I don't go Christmas shopping but I do get gifts and cards for friends. I go in for "jokey" cards because I hate soppy ones! The amount of money I spend depends on the person I'm buying for.

Riyad Rissai,(20):

Christmas is a great time for shops, because they can get rid of all their old stocks and make a good buck at the same time. I'm not totally into shopping and I rarely go out shopping with my mother because we end up disagreeing on something. As a result if I do go shopping I go with my brother or friends. I do get cards for the season, but even that I stick to a particular budget. Shopping is not really a big deal.

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