It’s been a while since I’ve been in a shopping mall.
Today Molly wanted to stop off at Oak Park Mall and shop for an outfit to wear to her 10 year high school reunion, which is coming up in about two weeks. Finding the right clothes is important for this type of thing.
Since I haven’t been to a mall in a while a few things have struck me in fresh ways. I’ve seen mothers and daughters who look remarkably similar passing through the stores. A pretty broad perspective of races, classes, and styles are all present at the mall. There are teenagers here hanging out. Some of those teenagers have bags from multiple stores hanging from their wrist. I can only wonder if their buying power comes from parents or from summer jobs.
I’m hanging out in the cathedral of consumerism, chronicling the moment on my Mac in a Panera cafe’. After living among a group of people who embody values that are opposed to some of the gods who are worshipped in this place, I feel a bit more disoriented than usual.
I must admit a firm distaste for the shopping mall.
The worst one was in Las Vegas. We couldn’t figure out HOW to get out. It was weird. acres of shops, no exit sign. I was pretty much a nightmare for me.
Now, I avoid them as much as possible and must psyche myself up for one if I HAVE to go.
(shuddering at the flashback to Vegas….)