Going bargain hunting presents one with a completely different concept of a shopping experience.
The other day a friend who was going to do the rounds of the "sales," invited me to come along with her.
Not usually being a bargain shopper, I was inclined to decline, but, as I had nothing else scheduled for that day, I accepted the invite.
Maybe I would spot something with a hanging ticket saying, "buy me" that appealed to my eye after all.
We entered a department store that had the heating turned on so hot that I thought I was about to faint.
However, I survived! As though the heating was not bad enough, the congestion of humanity out to find their piece of the pie was worse.
I do not think that I have ever seen so many people crowded into such a confined space, as I saw that day.
They were like rabbits as they dug through the bins of garments on offer, burrowing deep down, in case they had missed something that they simply could not live without their owning.
I tried in vain to find an inch of floor to call my own, just to watch these masses of "hunters.
" The idea of maybe finding an item to buy for myself now definitely out of the question, all I wanted to do, was to fight my way out into the open and breathe in some fresh air.
My friend however, managed to locate some bargains for herself and was very thrilled with her purchases.
With joy and delight written all over her face, she struggled along the pavement, laden with packets as though she was only carrying air.
I made the silly suggestion of going home.
For answer I received a look of absolute disdain, how could I possibly think of such a thing! There were stores that we had not been to yet.
With horror in my voice, I questioned her stamina and buying power, this answer was to enter into another overheated clothing emporium, for more overwhelming indulgence of bargain shopping.
Was this day never going to end, my home suddenly seemed so far away.
Eventually, we did stop at a Starbucks for a cup of coffee, which perked me up enough to survive for another hour or two of this horror experience.
At last, my friend was satisfied with all her parcels and prepared to venture forth for the long journey home.
I could not find the words to express my gratitude for this suggestion as I had begun to think that I would have to spend the rest of my days bargain shopping.
This was a lesson learned the hard way.
In my heart I knew that I should never had agreed to accompany her, but, having done so, I realised that never ever would I allow myself to land up in a similar situation again! Too much for me, people en- masse and the agony of a day out bargain shopping! Life is too short for such an experience.