‘My Least Favourite Aspect of Shopping is Shopping’

There are dozens of quotations about shopping, and most of them don’t fit me. I can’t agree with Marilyn Monroe – ‘Happiness is not in money, but in shopping.’ nor with the words from a film I haven’t seen, Confessions of a Shopaholic: ‘When I shop, the world gets better.’ I’m more with Franklin Jones: ‘A bargain is something you can’t use at a price you can’t resist.’ My title quotation is by AJ Lee.

I make an exception though with food shopping- especially abroad, and especially in markets. And even more especially in fish markets. In this country, we seem hardly to extend our reach beyond cod, plaice and haddock, with tuna and salmon as well these days – and even those may be tinned . So a visit to a fish market in Europe or Asia is a revelation. Here are some shots taken in Spain and South Korea, where they seem to catch enough daily to empty the oceans.

Fruit and veg and groceries seem more interesting in a sunny spot: especially if a fellow customer in Thessaloniki is a Greek Orthodox priest busy on his mobile phone.

Or if the shopkeeper has made a point of announcing his wares in a very original way, as here in Cádiz.

Some shops are so handsome they simply invite browsing. This shop in Barcelona, Queviures, is thinking of charging an entrance fee to those who mumble ‘just looking‘. And look – you get a view of the street behind in the window reflections – for free.

Here’s another – in Newcastle this time – also providing a view of the street it was in.

It’s no longer a camera shop. But that day, it wasn’t selling fine food and coffee either. But we had fun photographing it for free.

No clothes shops here. I’ve shopped for clothing exclusively in charity shops for five or six years now – yes, even for my outfit as mother-of-the-bride. And I didn’t look like a bag lady. So I’ve been told. I therefore have no shots of elegant and fashionable clothes emporia. Just this. Once upon a time, this mannequin was the clothes horse for many a stylish window display in Málaga. Her glory days are over.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for retail therapy, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed strolling round markets and shops at home and abroad for Ritva’s Lens-Artist Challenge #288. I’ll never be keen to shop-till-I-drop, but ‘you can always find something you want‘ (Sophie Amurosa). Especially if it’s edible.

My featured photo is from the indoor market in Seville.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

76 thoughts on “‘My Least Favourite Aspect of Shopping is Shopping’”

  2. I have not been much of a shopper past 15 years, but I like looking at windows when I travel, I have a desire to visit jewelry stores, it’s my vice. It used to be bags and shoes. Market places are lovely to visit and capture the atmosphere there as you have done in your photos. The Camera Shop photo is lovely, my favorite. Barcelona shot had so much to take in. Thanks for taking time thinking about your choices, they are lovely.

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  3. I like that camera shop image a lot too. And those legs are still hilarious. I know how she feels, chucked in that skip! I like Cadiz style too. I’ve kind of decided on it for next year’s Carnaval but that seems a long way off. I’m not even good at markets, Margaret. I get embarrassed if the stallholder looks my way, and I hate fish markets and especially salt cod. It looks like it’s died in anguish.

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  4. Love the camera shop window. Don’t find any mens clothes in op-shops, if you can find any tucked away in a dark corner 2 racks if you are lucky. Complete with two sizes, 2 big and 2 small 🙄

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      2. Heigh ho. I’ve been trying, unsuccessfully as usual, to comment on your blog. Here’s what I tried to say: ”Magical realism’ would certainly have put me off. But this book sounds rather different from that. I’ll look it out – thanks!’

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      4. Hmmm. I can’t find it now. It was set in a German village, and you said it was described as MR, though you didn’t see that in it yourself.

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  9. Oh Margaret, how I connected with this post! I love food shopping, especially when I am traveling. The open street markets of Paris were always one of the highlights of a visit to France. As always, your photographs tell the story vividly. It’s back to winter here, after a brief foray into spring.

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  10. I know that Newcastle coffee shop window so well, though we’ve never been in. You’ve made a great shot of it! Some super market shots too (pun intended!) and I love the Cadiz mannequin too. I have a feeling I recognise the last shot too?!

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  13. Your attitude to shopping is much as mine… and I, too, love a good food market . That camera shop image is great, by the way, I remember it from the previous showing 😊😊

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  16. What a wonderful post, Margaret. I totally enjoyed your thoughts, quotes, photos… That poor mannequin…that wonderful coffee/photo shop, and the food!!! Marvelous. Of course, I agree with your priorities…food over clothes! I hope all’s well. 

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  17. I’m afraid the only kind of shopping I enjoy is shopping for books and even then I’m quite happy to leave empty-handed. I find many markets claustrophobic so usually I look at the stalls on the outer edge but don’t bother with the others. I loved your photos though, especially the ones with reflections.

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  18. The Camera Shop and the dumpster were very funny windows. I liked your photos a lot. Like you, I don’t like shopping, but when I’m in a different city, it’s always fun to go window shopping.

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      1. There are some lovely ones in the UK, and I loved the ones in Europe. They’re not as wide spread as they should be. Supermarkets make it not cost worthy. For most people, farmers’ markets are too dear. Our food prices are much higher than yours.

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  20. What a diverse, eclectic photo collection that allow me to travel the world with you, Margaret. Love your shopping quotes! One of my favourites is by Gertrude Stein:

    “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.”

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  23. I’m so glad you included food market! I’m with you on shopping. I don’t really enjoy window shopping on clothing and jewelry.

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  24. I am so with you on not being a clothes shopper and frequent second hand stores or vintage. I’m so so about markets. So many people and as a looker only I often feel awkward. Thanks for taking me along though as you have some great photos!

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  25. hahaha. This was wonderful. Entertaining a fun, Margaret. You are so creative. I especially loved the vegetable display in Cadiz. That was clever. And next, I wonder about that charging a fee for just looking. Gosh…I will wish them well on the endeavor. Too funny. And the mannequin? Retirement doesn’t look so great on her, does it? Always a pleasure.

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      3. Oh gosh! Stop. I absolutely love engagement with other bloggers. I think we are all so lucky to be able to hop on the computer and have a conversation with someone on the other side of the world at any time of day. I enjoy you, Margaret. I just promise myself mornings with coffee, and afternoon with coffee…most days.

        When we lived in Spain, there was no email yet. We were still sending photos and mail through the postal service to friends and family back home. this is so much easier!

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  26. “Somehow, markets always make food more inviting.” So true, Margaret. And you make it tempting to go again. We are just home from Nice, and there were some excellent food markets too. Somehow they are always better abroad…

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