I have no idea. I seem to find all stores uncomfortable these days. And they're always so damn hot. Old and cranky is part of it, but I can remember having a particular hatred for record stores even as a teenager. I would send my friends in to buy things for me because I just couldn't stand to set foot in one.

Thank goodness for the internet.

I did almost all my shopping this Christmas online. A+++++.

Meanwhile, I just got back from trudging some tourists through Times Square, so I feel your pain.

I feel the same way. I dislike having shitty music imposed on me when I'm trying to buy something. Yet another reason to spring for an iPod.

My theory is that the loud music is supposed to get you in a fun mode, a party mode, a mode that isn't conducive to critical thinking or petty, nit-picking things like comparing prices. If you're in this party mode, you'll part with your money much more readily.

I don't know about the reasoning behind insanely loud music in stores, but many years ago I worked in one of those hideous megamalls that were springing up like toxic mushrooms back then. The fountains were so loud you couldn't hear yourself think, and the sensory overload could induce migraines. Apparently, this was deliberate--it drove people into the stores, which after that experience seemed like oases of calm and whale sounds or some damned thing. Don't get me started on the design of cosmetics departments.

they trying to get me so confused I'll just buy things without looking at them?

yes! the music, the buzzing/flickering lights, the store layout... everything is carefully designed to maximize profit. after about ten minutes of enduring these vertigo-inducing circuses, i'm ready to leave, too... but w/o buying shit.

Chupahija used to drag me to the day-after Christmas sales every year, and I still hate shopping for clothes...and being pounced on as soon as I walk into a store. I'd rather find what I need on my own, pay for it and leave. All I ever hear when I go into J&R--where I get most of my music-- is rap...grrr.

I also agree. And even though I'm not much of a consumer to begin with, I find that even when I'm really motivated to buy something, most of the time I'll end up leaving the shop before I even know if they have what I want - BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND BEING SHADOWED BY THE SHOP ASSISTANTS.

I'm pretty sure they don't think I'm going to steal something, so once they've asked if I need help and I've said "no", why can't they just leave me alone?

I pretty much end up buying whatever basic clothing items I need from Marks and Spencer simply because they don't have all that annoying helpfulness. I'm beginning to think maybe it's true what JanetLand was wondering - that maybe stores use various techniques hoping to fluster you into just grabbing and buying so you can leave. They got me on the leaving part, but certainly not the buying.