Jungle Mom on the loose!
Shopping! I have been to the grocery store twice now. On the second trip to a Super Wal-mart, I made it into the cosmetic department, only because I lost my cosmetic bag in my travels. I have yet to venture beyond those two departments.The problem seems to be that my eyes take in everything but then I experience a disconnect before my brain can make a decision on what to pick up. I am first bombarded with all the packaging, then the many options and brands of the same product. So, I just grab something, any thing!! I get home and have things like ...soy sauce, but no mayo!!! Tuna and corn flakes. Splenda and no sugar! Forgot I could buy sugar here!!!
In the grocery store I lose my focus and end up with lots of stuff but not all the ingredients to put a meal together. I need to sit down and make a menu and shopping list before I go to the store. While in the store, I have about 20 minutes before "melt down". After that window, I may as well leave because I cease to function.
Then there is the conversion of prices in dollars instead of bolivares. Also, pounds rather than kilos.
I can not even think of trying to clothes shop. Way too many choices and all the sizes. I am no where near ready for that yet.
So, if you see a strange , red headed woman wandering through the store, with a glazed look in her eyes, mumbling in Spanish under her breath...it's probably me!!! Just point me to the check out please!!!!
21 comments:
Been there.. done that..
Oh boy! do I understand you!!!
Really Rita, make a list. Every single time you go to shop. Even if you're just going to buy bread, butter, ham and cheese.
People may think we are crazy, but to stand in front of so many choices.. is too much for our brains ;D
I hate to shop for intimate clothing in the States. Why? It's like a supermarket!!! I just get lost and mind wondering, cannot concentrate. I normally tell the hubby to rescue me one hour later, because I cannot even have company in those stores. Again, conversation and choices.. too much information for my head to handle!!!
Other stuff for confusion: inches and centimeters!!! I'm sewing a quilt presently, but I learned to quilt using inches. You should see my troubles calculating yardage in meters and working in inches. Somehow, things get done.
Liz
lol..this is right up my alley..see my weekend post hun!..ha
Oh boy do I know how you feel about going to the store. What gets me is when I go in with the intent of ONLY getting those FEW items that I went in after that I walk out with a whole lot more than I intended. Do you ever do that?
I am a twenty minutes shopper every time. I take a list, because I too have sensory overload.
I cannot handle how much stuff we have the option to buy!!!
If I see you mumbling in Spanish, I will feel right at home as my town is mostly Spanish speakers.
Have fun and breathe!!
Jennifer
Will you stop with all the Wal-Mart talk? I'm getting jealous! Wish I was there to mumble in Spanish with you. Wouldn't we be a sight?? :-)
Jackie, ok, how about targeet? Best Buy? K Mart? Penneys? Sears?
LOL Rita! In Venezuela you had almost no choices and now you have too many, and I can see how this would be confusing. What Angel posted is true - we do have too many choices and it's mind boggling for all of us.
The only time I lived out of country was in Germany for seven years. My husband was in the Army and we had the PX and Commissary. Both were huge so shopping was no problem. I can only imagine how you must feel.
I read about two paragraphs of your post and thought "she needs to make a list", but I see other's have already suggested it. Take it to heart! I always make a list because I hate to shop. I want to get in and out as soon as possible.
Rita,
I am so glad you and your dear family are back safe and sound!
The shopping malls must be so over welming for you.
Cristina
Rita,
you'll have to start shopping like I do. I figure what I need before I go and once I'm in the store I head right to those items without looking around me! I HATE shopping! I've been told that I shop like a man....no browsing. :o)
We don't have much of a cholce here in the way of stores, so I understand. We do have a chain grocery store, but to get to Wal Mart, it is an hour and 15 minute drive. We do have a Dollar Tree and 2 thrift stores and let me tell you, I LOVE THAT!
I understand the overload completely. We are so spoiled in this country.
Vanessa
Bless your heart. I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must be in the store...especially the Super Wal Mart!
Have you thought about making your list and then taking someone with you to help you with your decisions?
~Kristi
lol you poor thing :) I'll pray that the shock of it all goes away soon for you.
Maybe you should try and go to a smaller store. After getting used to that, than you can try Wal-Mart again.
Just an idea.
Too funny!! I don't function well without a list, and I've been here forever. Super Walmart is more overwhelming than even other stores, though. But good prices. I just really don't like to go there on SAturday!
Oh how funny! You described what I saw last Sat. quite well! Still laughing and enjoying all the memories we made!
All the "stuff" overwhelms me so I can only imagine what it must be like for you!!
Susan
Poor girl! I get overwhelmed in that place and I'm there most every week! I can't even imagine how strange it is for you!
I tagged you for something, come to my place to check it out!
Deedra
Sounds like you could rally use a guide to take you through the store to shop.
I don't know that this problem is limited to a Venezuelan-American coming home! I do the exact same thing and I go to Walmart 3 times a week! :)) mostly because i forgot what I went for and get home with partial ingredients to 5 different meals...
God bless you as you make this huge transition! And I soooo love your cartoons..:)
Lisa
Wow...but it's fun, isn't it? You should have seen my mom and me in Walmart and Kohls! We had a great time. I understand Liz though...just the undergarments section of Kohl's is larger than some grocery stores here! lol missing you...might be seeing you sooner than later
It is a trick pure and simple that way they keep you coming back to Wal-mart. Ours is so big I lose my focus too, so don't feel bad.
Hugs, Lyndy
Awwww, this is just too cute. I hate to shop and have the same issues everytime I go to the store, well at least in a lesser version. God bless and maybe next time you could wear a sign that says, "Yes, I am a little nuts :)"
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