Topic 6. The world of shopping.
“Shopping is
an activity in which a customer browses the available goods or services
presented by one or more retailers with the intent to purchase a suitable
selection of them”. For some people shopping is a necessity (when we want to
buy food or clothes we really need) or pleasure (when we wish to relax and rest
from everyday routine).
There are
different types of shops. They include department stores (very big shops that
sell lots of different things), corner shops (small, local shops that offer
everyday things), supermarkets (large shops that sell mostly food and drinks)
and many others such as fishmonger, butcher, grocer, baker for our food
necessities, as well as hairdresser, launderette (a place where you can wash
your clothes and have your things dry cleaned), pet shop, stationery and so on
for other needs.
The world of
shopping can cure. There is a term “retail therapy”. It is shopping with the
primary purpose of improving the buyer's mood or disposition. Psychologists say
that retail therapy really makes you happier. Treating yourself to something
nice at the shops apparently has a ‘lasting positive impact on mood’ and leaves
‘few if any negative emotional side-effects’.
But the
world of shopping can also harm people. We have all heard of shopaholics-
people addicted to shopping. They
overspend money and sometimes even steal against their will, they just can’t
stand this impulse.
But we live
in the world of shops day by day. Each country has certain types of shops as
well as the number of the most famous ones. England, for example, is called the
country of compulsive shoppers. Englishmen love to shop! It is their number one
leisure activity and accounts for around 37% of all money spent in England.
Harrods is
probably the world’s most famous shop (the next one is Selfridges). For Londoners, there is a love-hate
relationship: most say they hate it but then assure you it is the best place
for silk socks, toys, flowers, tea or whatever. Its 230 departments on five
floors spread over twenty acres where 4 000 staff serve 50 000 customers.
There are
six restaurants, five bars, a library, bank, pet shop, dry cleaners, everything
from Indian cigarettes to domestic equipment to buy, a ticket agency and
departments for christening, weddings and funerals.
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